Gopher tortoises catch a break

[flvegan]

Developers no longer will be allowed to pave their burrows with them inside.

MELBOURNE - For 16 years, the state's wildlife agency has issued permits allowing developers to bury gopher tortoises alive, suffocating them and all the other animals that use their burrows as a home.

On Wednesday, the agency's board voted unanimously to end the practice, condemned as inhumane and immoral by animal advocates.

"This is long overdue," state wildlife commission Chairman Rodney Barreto said. "What we've done here is wrong, and it's time we made it right."

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/14/State/Gopher_tortoises_catc.shtml