Tortoises saved, released on range

A gopher tortoise waits to begin exploring its new home deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of more than 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre habitat after being moved from their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A group of natural resources personnel and volunteers fill in dirt around a silt fence on the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 13. The fencing surrounds a new habitat for approximately 250 gopher tortoises. The tortoises were relocated from South Florida to Eglin escaping certain death from urban development. Approximately 500 gopher tortoises will eventually be moved to the range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A gopher tortoise can’t wait to get to its new home on the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre habitat after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

Col. Matthew Higer, 96th Test Wing vice commander, bends down to release a gopher tortoise into its new home deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre habitat after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

Members of Eglin Air Force Base’s Natural Resources office tag a gopher tortoise by drilling holes on the corners of its shell before releasing it into its new home deep within the base’s range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre environment after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A natural resources volunteer fills in dirt around a silt fence on the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 13. The fencing surrounds a new habitat for approximately 250 gopher tortoises. The tortoises were relocated from South Florida to Eglin escaping certain death from urban development. Approximately 500 gopher tortoises will eventually be moved to the range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A gopher tortoise reaches out for its burrow as it is released into its new home deep within the base’s range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre environment after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A gopher tortoise is measured prior to being released into its new home deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre environment after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A gopher tortoise settles into its new burrow deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre habitat after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A gopher tortoise explores its new surroundings deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre habitat after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A silt fence running toward the horizon is the barrier surrounding the gopher tortoises’ new habitat deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre environment after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

A pair of gopher tortoises explore their new surroundings deep within the Eglin Air Force Base range Oct. 26. The first of approximately 250 tortoises were released into their 100-acre habitat after being rescued from urban development at their previous home in South Florida. Increasing the gopher tortoise population here could prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the animal on the Threatened and Endangered Species list, allowing more flexibility for the military missions on Eglin. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

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Tortoises saved, released on range

Published Oct. 27, 2016