We first visited Noah's Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center in Locust Grove last summer. Our original mission was to see Evidence, the injured zebra which had been found on I-75 in Georgia. What we saw was a tremendous love for animals in need.
Evidence has now been at Noah's Ark for just over a year. By all accounts, he's doing wonderfully and really appreciates the shade and his best friend, Grace, a miniature horse.
Two events are in the works over the next couple of days in at Noah's Ark. First, Ann McLaughlin is expected to complete her 300 mile mission for the center. McLaughlin has spent the last 11 days walking from Mooresville to Locust Grove in an effort to try to raise awareness and donations to help the animals.
The other main event will take place on Saturday, May 2, as the new tortoise habitat is unveiled.
The recent downturn in the economy has taken its toll on donations. Noah's Ark has over 1000 mouths to feed on any given day, and is supported solely on donations.
Noah's Ark is open Tuesday thru Saturday, Noon to 3 pm, weather permitting.
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Showing posts with label tortoises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tortoises. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Partnership Saves 100 Threatened Gopher Tortoises from Construction in Florida
The Humane Society of the United States, Nokuse Plantation, D.R. Horton Homebuilders, Bio-Tech Consulting and local volunteers have relocated about 100 threatened gopher tortoises from a 45-acre development site in Zellwood, Fla. The tortoises were moved from the Zellwood Station subdivision to a permanent home at Nokuse Plantation, a non-profit conservation area in Walton County.
Until 2007, the state did not require the relocation or removal of gopher tortoises prior to construction. The state's "incidental take" permit program permitted the destruction of more than 100,000 imperiled gopher tortoises. The tortoises were often buried alive, causing a slow and inhumane death for the animals.
Although developers with grandfathered "incidental take" permits are still not required by law to relocate tortoises, Texas-based D.R. Horton Homebuilders took steps to ensure the safe removal of tortoises from the Zellwood site before construction.
"The Humane Society of the United States applauds D. R. Horton for acting to save the tortoises who were living on this site," said Jennifer Hobgood, The HSUS' Florida state director. "We hope that other developers will follow D.R. Horton's lead and humanely relocate the other tortoises whose homes are threatened by construction projects."
With assistance from donations and a grant from a private foundation, The HSUS helped to fund the project and transport tortoises to Nokuse Plantation. Monitoring and assessing the tortoises after the relocation efforts will provide crucial information for future projects.
"We are very excited to receive the tortoises from the Zellwood Station site and commend D.R. Horton, local volunteers and The HSUS for working with us to save these animals," said Matthew J. Aresco, conservation director of Nokuse Plantation. "We will closely monitor the tortoises to ensure they acclimate well to their new home and will specifically manage their habitat so they will eventually be part of the breeding population."
Until 2007, the state did not require the relocation or removal of gopher tortoises prior to construction. The state's "incidental take" permit program permitted the destruction of more than 100,000 imperiled gopher tortoises. The tortoises were often buried alive, causing a slow and inhumane death for the animals.
Although developers with grandfathered "incidental take" permits are still not required by law to relocate tortoises, Texas-based D.R. Horton Homebuilders took steps to ensure the safe removal of tortoises from the Zellwood site before construction.
"The Humane Society of the United States applauds D. R. Horton for acting to save the tortoises who were living on this site," said Jennifer Hobgood, The HSUS' Florida state director. "We hope that other developers will follow D.R. Horton's lead and humanely relocate the other tortoises whose homes are threatened by construction projects."
With assistance from donations and a grant from a private foundation, The HSUS helped to fund the project and transport tortoises to Nokuse Plantation. Monitoring and assessing the tortoises after the relocation efforts will provide crucial information for future projects.
"We are very excited to receive the tortoises from the Zellwood Station site and commend D.R. Horton, local volunteers and The HSUS for working with us to save these animals," said Matthew J. Aresco, conservation director of Nokuse Plantation. "We will closely monitor the tortoises to ensure they acclimate well to their new home and will specifically manage their habitat so they will eventually be part of the breeding population."
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