Mississippi wildlife biologists are continuing a conservation program aimed at helping the state’s declining gopher tortoise population.
According to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species because their burrows provide shelter and habitat for more than 350 other species.
Each May and June, biologists collect up to 100 gopher tortoise eggs and raise the hatchlings for about two years before releasing them back into the wild.
The effort, known as a head-start program, is designed to give young tortoises a better chance of surviving once they are released.
Officials said more than 140 juvenile gopher tortoises have been released so far.
Each tortoise receives a small tag that allows biologists to monitor its growth and survival after release.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and partner agencies are continuing the program as part of broader efforts to help the species recover in Mississippi.
