Protected Wildlife

Find it... Ospreys/Migratory Birds Falconry Burrowing Owls Gopher Tortoises Scientific/Educational Manatee Marine Turtles Freshwater Turtles Bald Eagles Contact Information

Protected fish and wildlife include those species listed as endangered, threatened or species of special concern.  Also included are migratory birds and other species protected by FWC rules.

FWC rules prohibit activities that may have a negative effect on protected fish and wildlife without a permit.  This page connects you to information about the various permits associated with protected fish and wildlife and how to apply for them.

Ospreys and Other Migratory Birds 

Florida ospreys commonly nest on power poles or other man-made structures, and these nests sometimes render the structure inoperable. Basically these permits allow removal of the inactive nest (containing no eggs or flightless young), only if a replacement nesting platform/structure of comparable or better quality is erected in its place. The Osprey Nest Removal Policies (205KB) address additional requirements for such permits.

Other migratory bird species occasionally nest on man-made structures and cause the same sort of conflict. We issue similar permits (117KB) to address such activities.

Bald Eagles

We issue bald eagle disturbance, nest removal, and scientific collecting permits. The FWC Bald Eagle Web site links to the state and federal bald eagle management plans, the statewide nest database, technical assistance for projects, biologists contact information, and much more.

Falconry

We issue Nonresident Raptor Take permits to out-of-state falconers seeking to capture raptors for hunting.  Falconers must possess a falconry license from their home state as well as a federal falconry license from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Florida residents seeking to become licensed falconers should consult the FWC's Falconry rules or contact the Division of Law Enforcement at 850-488-6253.

Burrowing Owls

Burrowing owls often nest on vacant lots in rapidly developing suburban areas and may respond to disturbed soil conditions associated with early construction activities.  Home construction subsequently is a major cause of burrow destruction in these areas.  The Commission's policy is to issue permits to allow destruction of burrowing owl nest burrows only as a last resort and after all reasonable alternatives (such as realigning development to avoid the nest) have been considered and determined impractical.

Please review Burrowing Owl Nest-protection Guidelines and Procedures in Urban Areas (107KB) for nest-removal requirements for a permit.  Protection criteria for non-urban situations or situations that affect numerous burrows will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

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Gopher Tortoises

Permitting Guidelines

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has fully implemented the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines (1MB) (April 2008 - revised April 2009) that were approved by FWC Commissioners in April 2008 as the priority implementation item of the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan. The approved gopher tortoise permitting guidelines, along with the new online permitting system for gopher tortoise permits, replaces the Standard Relocation, Interim Incidental Take and Special Tortoise Relocation (i.e., 5 or Fewer on-site relocation) permit options with the Conservation, 10 or Fewer Burrows, and Temporary Exclusion permits. Please refer to the notification for implementation of the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the phases of the guidelines implementation. If you have any questions pertaining to these guidelines, please contact Deborah Burr, Gopher Tortoise Plan Coordinator at Deborah.Burr@MyFWC.com.

There are four available options to address the presence of gopher tortoises on lands slated for development:

1. Avoid development;
2. Avoid destruction of tortoise burrows;
3. Relocate tortoises on-site (permit required); or
4. Relocate them off-site (permit required).

Effective April 22, 2009, the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation's, Species Conservation Planning Section (SCPS) issues three types of gopher tortoise relocation permits.

The Conservation permit is available for development projects which require the relocation of gopher tortoises when more than 10 burrows occur on the development site.  This permit allows for relocation either to an on-site preserve or off-site to a FWC-certified Recipient Site. Off-site relocation of tortoises may require testing of tortoises for Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (521KB) (URTD) at the discretion of the recipient site landowner.  Applications for Conservation permits are submitted via the online permitting system or to a SCPS Tallahassee and Regional Office.

The 10 or Fewer Burrows permit is for projects (usually single residential construction) which contain 10 or fewer gopher tortoise burrows on the development site. With this permit, the gopher tortoises can be relocated either on-site if there is suitable habitat, or off-site to a FWC-certified Recipient Site.  Applications for 10 or Fewer Burrows permits can be submitted via the online permitting system or to a SCPS Tallahassee and Regional Office. 

A Temporary Exclusion permit is available specifically for the installation of major linear utility transmission lines. This option applies to situations that require the temporary exclusion of tortoises from utility construction corridor where habitats within the corridor will be restored to provide suitable habitat for tortoises following completion of utility installation.

Gopher Tortoise Enforcement Policy (effective 3/6/2008)

FWC Policy Protecting Tortoises and Their Burrows

Agricultural, silvicultural, and wildlife management activities which impact gopher tortoises or gopher tortoise burrows do not require a permit if they are conducted in accordance with the Gopher Tortoise Enforcement Policy.  These activities include tilling, planting, harvesting, prescribed burning, mowing, disking, roller chopping, and tree cutting.  For additional guidance on activities that do not require a permit, refer to the Gopher Tortoise Enforcement Policy.

Incidental Take Permits

Incidental Take (I.T.) permits are no longer available.  Currently issued Interim I.T. permits are still valid based on the conditions included with issuance.  Conservation permits can be applied for via the online permitting system.  An interim revised tortoise I.T. policy was approved by FWC Commissioners at their 13 June 2007 meeting. This interim policy was implemented July 31, 2007. Under the interim policy, tortoise I.T. permits issued for applications either received by the FWC after July 30 or previously received applications remaining incomplete after July 30 must relocate all tortoises out of harm's way as a specific condition of the issued permits. Please review answers to common questions about this policy.

Standard Relocation

This permit application option is no longer available. Please apply for a Conservation permit either via the online permitting system or to a SCPS Tallahassee and Regional Office.

On-site Relocation of Five or Fewer Tortoises

New applications are no longer being accepted for this permit option.  Please refer to the 10 or Fewer Burrows permit for gopher tortoise relocation options.

Scientific/Educational Collecting

Scientific/educational collecting permits are issued for activities such as salvage, voucher, bird banding, wildlife possession and special purpose (specific projects which require any combination of the methods of scientific collecting).  Applications must demonstrate scientific/educational benefits that will be accrued for the subject species as well as identify the purpose, scope, objective, methodology, location and duration of the project.

Contact Us

Regional species conservation biologists are available to provide technical assistance on assorted listed non-marine wildlife issues. Please contact the biologist for your area to discuss wildlife scientific collecting, ecology and nuisance issues. Some situations involve both technical assistance and permitting.

If you have questions on gopher tortoise permitting please contact the gopher tortoise conservation biologist in your county. 

We ask that you contact the SCPS Tallahassee Office regarding issuance of required permits early in the process, while seeking technical assistance through the Regional Office.