Gopher tortoise found covered in red paint, concrete

MONTVERDE (FOX 13) - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are looking for the person or people who spray painted a gopher tortoise.

The tortoise was found in the middle of County Road 455, south of Montverde in Lake County, by two good Samaritans who took it to a wildlife rehabber.

The now-red tortoise also had concrete on its limbs and the top of its shell. 

FWC says it is illegal and very harmful to the health of a gopher tortoise to apply man-made substances like paint or concrete to any part of their body or shell.

Gopher tortoises are state-listed as threatened and are a protected species.

Anyone with information about who put paint and concrete on the tortoise is asked to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), dial #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone, or email Tip@MyFWC.com.

Anyone contacting Wildlife Alert can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.