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Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers Seek Suspect Who Shot Threatened Gopher Tortoise

By  //  October 1, 2017

Shot along Manasota Beach Road in Venice

Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers needs your help with a case of a gopher tortoise that was found dead along Manasota Beach Road in Venice, Florida with apparent gunshot wounds. Due to the graphic nature of the injury, part of the gunshot wound is concealed in the photo. (FWC image)

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION – We need your help with a case of a gopher tortoise that was found dead along Manasota Beach Road in Venice, Florida with apparent gunshot wounds.

The gopher tortoise was found on September 25 near the corner of Manasota Beach Road and Englewood Road.

Officers received a report that a newer-model red or maroon GMC truck was seen in the area at the time of the incident. In Florida, the gopher tortoise is listed as threatened and it is against the law to kill, harass, or destroy gopher tortoises, their burrows or eggs.

If you have any information about this incident, call the Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone, or by texting Tip@MyFWC.com. Anyone contacting Wildlife Alert can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

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