Agency beefs up reward for gopher tortoise deaths by $5,000.

A national conservation organization will offer $5,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest or a fine for the killing of two gopher tortoises in Lakewood Ranch earlier this month.

The Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity today announced the reward offer, stemming from an incident in which two injured gopher tortoises were discovered in Heron’s Nest Park, in Lakewood Ranch. The park is located between Greenbrook Adventure Park, in Greenbrook, and the Summerfield community.

One tortoise was discovered dead with a cracked shell. The other was alive on the path, but its organs were hanging outside its shell. It died after being transported to Bayshore Animal Hospital.

“We want people to understand these tortoises are special and rare and it’s a serious offense when someone hurts them or kills them,” Florida-based Center attorney Elise Bennett said.

The center's reward offer follows pledged amounts totaling more than $1,000 from Lakewood Ranch residents.

Florida law prohibits any person from killing or wounding gopher tortoises, which are considered “threatened” in the state of Florida. Violating the law is a third-degree felony and punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

Anyone with information should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922 or [email protected].