A new report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature revises the gopher tortoise’s status from “vulnerable” to “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
“Gopher tortoises are a very important species throughout the Southeast, and I am concerned about the connectedness and viability of their populations in the future,” said Leyna Stemle, Ph.D., a coauthor of the revised assessment. “The tortoises’ burrows support hundreds of other species that may depend on the burrow for their survival, such as gopher frogs. Their populations are becoming more and more fragmented, as well as smaller, due to habitat fragmentation and loss with growing human populations and urbanization in the Southeast. This fragmentation leads to threats on long term viability of populations.”
The assessment estimates that gopher tortoise populations have declined by approximately 80% over the past 120 years — just three tortoise generations and cites research that predicts 69%-91% additional future declines over the next two generations.
“The majority of the ongoing conservation of gopher tortoise populations in the Southeast relies on translocation programs that remove tortoises from their burrows prior to development and relocates them, sometimes hundreds of miles away, to new locations. Unfortunately, these programs are often haphazard with little to no follow up on the survivorship of those individuals,” said Hunter Howell, Ph.D., a coauthor of the revised assessment. “Despite there being dozens of both translocated and natural populations studied across the species’ range, scientists have never recorded a single population with a positive population growth rate.”
In 2023 the Center for Biological Diversity and Nokuse Education, Inc. sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for denying federal Endangered Species Act protections to the majority of gopher tortoises, including those living in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and most of Alabama. The groups argued that the decision was arbitrary and departed from the best available science about the tortoise’s status and threats.
“It’s time for federal wildlife officials to reconsider their decision to deny Endangered Species Act protections to gopher tortoises across their range,” said Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “There’s no time to lose. It will only become more difficult to pull these charming creatures back from the brink of extinction the longer they go without the protection they so desperately need.”
Wandering Goat’s next stop is Chubby Mermaid Brewing
Grumpy Goat Coffee’s next Wandering Goat event is from 3 until 7 p.m., Saturday, July 25, at Chubby Mermaid Brewing, 28292 Industrial Rd. #1, Bonita Springs. Chubby Mermaid Brewing Company is a veteran owned startup microbrewery and brewpub in Bonita Springs.
The event continues the new direction for the summer series, shifting the focus of the community events toward building awareness about the Bonita Estero Rail Trail initiative.
The event will feature the relaunch of the Chubby Goat, a craft beer collaboration. The Chubby Goat is a scotch ale style wee heavy conditioned on Grumpy Goat’s Vietnamese coffee beans.
“Wandering Goat has always been about community connection,” said Brian Abernathy, founder of Grumpy Goat Coffee. “This summer, we’re expanding that mission by creating opportunities for residents to learn about BERT, ask questions, and understand how this project could shape the future of our city.”
The event is open to the public. Attendees can meet their local master coffee roaster, craft brewer and other artisan food and beverage experts in a casual, family and pet friendly setting.
Additional exhibitors include Pansardo Italian Food Specialties, The Hoppy Homestead, Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies, Olde Naples Chocolate, Bombshell Hot Sauce and Bailey’s Beer Biscuits. Event questions can be submitted at grumpygoat.com.
Big Waters’ names photo contest winners
Big Waters Land Trust recently announced the winners for their fifth annual summer photo contest. Photographers of all ages and experience levels were invited to submit their original work showcasing the “beauty of natural Florida.”
Over 130 photographs from across the state were submitted to this year’s contest.
The winners for each category are:
FC Naples names Zak Gordon interim head coach
FC Naples has named Zak Gordon as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. Gordon has served as the First Assistant Coach since February 2025.
“Zak Gordon has been on the field with FC Naples’ First Team since our first season, helping the team achieve its historic 2025 USL League One campaign. We’re confident in his leadership as the team moves forward,” said Roberto Moreno, CEO of FC Naples.
FC Naples has parted ways with Matt Poland, the club’s inaugural head coach and sporting director. Under his leadership, the expansion side enjoyed a historic 2025 USL League One campaign, securing a fourth-place regular-season finish and advancing to the playoff semifinals. The club says it’s grateful for the vital role that Poland played as a foundational part of the team.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Report: Gopher tortoise critically endangered; nature photo winners
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to The Banner / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Will Watts, Special to The Banner | USA TODAY Network
