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WFTV (Orlando, Florida) 12 May 06 Landowner Investigated In Tortoise Massacre
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are investigating whether a Lake County landowner killed some reptiles while clearing his land.
When Channel 9 went to the Sunderman property in Lake County to ask why 21 gopher tortoises were found dead on his 22-acre parcel, he ripped the microphone right out of the reporter's hand, and then began jabbing at the video photographer.
However, the question was never answered why the state-protected reptiles were found dead on property owned by Chuck Sunderman.
Kelly Dilyerd lives next to the land, and he's the one who called wildlife officials when he noticed the green pastures were being plowed up where the tortoises burrows were.
"To see somebody else do this much damage to the turtles, it's ridiculous," said Dilyerd.
Fish and Wildlife officials say Chuck Sunderman didn't have a permit to plow where the burrows were.
They're still investigating, but if Sunderman is responsible for killing the tortoises he'll face a second-degree misdemeanor for every gopher tortoise killed.
"[To] just to come out here and run over 21 turtles; you really need to pay more respect for the land," said Dilyerd.
And these gopher tortoises are listed as a species of special concern.
In July, Wildlife Commissioners will decide if the gopher tortoise should become a federally protected species.
http://www.wftv.com/news/9208894/detail.html