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You can help show your support in 3 ways!
	Write a letter of support Join the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance Make a tax-deductible donation   The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization and registered Florida charity All donors receive a free bumper sticker

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1. The Problem: Highest rate of road-killed turtles in the world!	2. Temporary Solution:  Fences to direct turtles through a culvert under the road	3. The Goal: A permanent ecopassage
Remains of 90 road-killed turtles found along a  1/3 mile stretch of US Highway 27 at Lake Jackson in one day in February 2000, prior to construction of temporary fence.	Turtles being diverted by the temporary fence into a culvert under the road. This fence design effectively prevented thousands of turtles and other wildlife from death on the highway in the last few years.	The goal is a permanent guidewall and culvert system similar to this one recently constructed at Paynes Prairie on US Highway 441 south of Gainesville, Florida. Lake Jackson Ecopassage Conceptual Drawing

Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve Roadkill Fact Sheet

Summary:

US Highway 27 is a four-lane highway that was built directly across a 3/4-mile portion of northwest Lake Jackson, isolating part of the lake to the west now known as Little Lake Jackson.  US Highway 27 is a virtually impassable barrier to turtles and other wildlife with 23,500 vehicles traveling along it each day.

***The road mortality and attempted crossings, especially of turtles, is higher than has been documented anywhere else in the world!.***

We have documented over 11,270 (as of 16 April 2008) animals of 61 different species (not including birds) attempting to cross the half-mile section of US Highway 27 at Lake Jackson in the last 8 years.  Clearly, a permanent solution to this significant wildlife mortality problem is needed.

	Graph courtesy of Northwest Florida Water Management District
Map of Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson bisected by US Highway 27 showing location of temporary fences and migration pathways of turtles and other wildlife. Map of study area.	Fluctuations in water levels of Lake Jackson over time.  Because the lake level fluctuates widely, migration of turtles between Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson occurs continually. Current level of Lake Jackson    Daily precipitation    1999-present

During the recent drought in North Florida, Lake Jackson dried completely causing a mass exodus of thousands of animals that attempted to migrate to Little Lake Jackson directly across US Highway 27.  Between February and April 2000, the highway was monitored every 1-2 days for dead and live turtles.  439 turtles were killed on US Highway 27 during the 40 days prior to fence construction. 

In order to prevent massive road mortality of the entire population of migrating turtles, we constructed a temporary fence using silt fence material that directs turtles into a culvert under the road.  A 3,600 foot fence along US Highway 27 North was completed on 3 April 2000 and has been monitored 2-4 times per day since construction. A 2,600 foot fence was then constructed along US Highway 27 South to intercept turtles that attempted to migrate across the road when Lake Jackson refilled.  Turtles were hand-collected as they moved along the fences, measured, transported by hand across the highway, and released into the water.  Over 8,800 turtles and hundreds of other reptiles and amphibians were saved from death on the highway by these fences. For a historical account of the events that have occurred, please visit our Latest Developments page.

Is this turtle movement a freak anomaly based upon a one-time drought event?

No! Although the peak migration occurred as Lake Jackson dried, migration of turtles and other wildlife between Lake Jackson and Little Lake Jackson has continued since the lake refilled, so this is not a one-time problem.  Every spring hundreds of nesting female turtles emerge on to land to lay eggs and the fence protects them. Without the fence, many females would be killed on the highway while searching for appropriate nesting habitat. Because many turtles take from 10 to 15 years to mature, losing thousands of turtles every 12.5 years (the average period between lake drying events) would have tragic consequences for the population.  As the vehicle traffic of US Highway 27 has increased over time, so has the devastating effect of road mortality during both drought and non-drought years.

Does the temporary fence stop all wildlife from entering the roadway?

No. Species such as frogs, snapping turtles, large softshell turtles, alligators, snakes, and most mammals can climb over this low fence. The fence only covers 2000' - 3000' of the "killing zone". Areas where roads enter the highway are also dangerous avenues for turtles to travel on to the highway.

Is the temporary fence a long-term solution?

No. Despite the 8,800 turtles that have been saved, the fence we constructed is only a temporary short-term solution to this wildlife mortality problem. It is degrading rapidly to the point where it will soon be ineffective.  The temporary fence must be maintained daily to ensure its effectiveness. The fence is often compromised by animals chewing it, small mammals that dig under it, highway maintenance equipment that cuts into it, trees that fall on to it, erosion, and vandals that destroy it. Thus a permanent ecopassage (guide wall and culvert system) is needed to replace the temporary fence so that this continuing wildlife mortality problem can be stopped..
 

Why should we care if thousands of turtles and other wildlife from Lake Jackson are killed by vehicles each year?

Turtles are an important part of the lake ecosystem. Most turtles feed on dead and decaying matter in the lake. So, turtles essentially "clean" the lake. Our research has shown that turtles also eat many aquatic plants. Most notably, turtles feed heavily on the introduced aquatic menace, Hydrilla. By cleaning the water and eating the vegetation that "chokes out" the lake, turtles provide necessary habitat for fish (especially bass) and increase recreational opportunities for people. Without turtles the general ecosystem functioning would falter.  Turtles and other wildlife are an integral part of Lake Jackson's ecosystem and should be protected in standing with Lake Jackson's designation as Florida's only lake Aquatic Preserve. This ecosystem was designated in 1974 as the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve "for the primary purpose of preserving and maintaining the biological resources in their essentially natural condition."

Why should motorists care that wildlife is kept off the highway?

Wildlife trespass on to the highway represents a major threat to motorist safety. Many adult turtles weigh at least 5 to 10 pounds and are essentially "rocks in the roadway".  When turtles are hit they can act as dangerous projectiles, causing serious damage to vehicles and injury to occupants.  A recent auto accident in Indian River County, Florida, involved a large turtle that was hit by a car and then crashed through another car's windshield.  We have witnessed many near-misses where vehicles have stopped to help turtles or have attempted to veer around turtles in the roadway. On one occasion we observed a 3-car crash when a vehicle stopped to move a softshell turtle.  Peak migration days can result in hundreds of turtles trespassing on to the highway. At night, a time when visibility is at its poorest, alligators often travel on to the roadway. We have documented an accident where a vehicle collided with a 7 foot alligator that was moving across the highway.  Without a proper guidewall to keep turtles and other wildlife off of the highway, there is serious potential for vehicle accidents on a stretch of highway with 23,500 vehicles per day.

Overall Goal

Our goal is to work with Leon County, the Florida Department of Transportation, and other agencies to construct a permanent ecopassage to prevent future mortality of turtles and other wildlife.  The Florida Department of Transportation and other agencies are in full support of this project.  However, it is Leon County that is managing the preliminary phase of the project development and environmental assessment of the proposed project.  Public support is an important part of convincing Leon County to make this a priority item so that a timely resolution can be reached.  We have already received letters of support for this project from many organizations and government agencies such as the National Audubon Society, the Humane Society of the United States, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In addition, hundreds of other letters from concerned citizens are pouring in from all over the world. But, many more letters are needed!  Letters of support from the public, whether you live in Florida or not, are especially critical to our effort!

Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve Roadkill Fact Sheet

CURRENT STATUS OF THE LAKE JACKSON ECOPASSAGE PROJECT
DATE	ACTION
October 2002	The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) authorizes $125,000 USD from their Discretionary Environmental Mitigation funds for a feasibility study to include the preferred alternative design and cost estimates. FDOT District 3 and Leon County executed a Joint Participation Agreement (JPA), meaning that the Capital Regional Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) is managing the project.
June 2004	The environmental consulting firm Kimley-Horn is hired to conduct the feasibility study -  nearly 2 years after FDOT authorized the funds! The consulting firm has been conferring with the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Advisory Group on the biological aspects of the study and design alternatives.
November 15, 2004	The CRTPA (includes County and City Commissioners) voted unanimously to approve the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Feasibility Study: Existing Conditions Technical Memorandum, the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Feasibility Study: Alternatives Considered and Preferred Alternative Technical Memorandum, and Alternative 7 - Additional Passageways with the construction of a wildlife wall as the preferred alternative. This alternative includes replacement of the existing culvert and creates 3-4 other large culverts (each at least 12 feet wide) for wildlife passage with the construction of a five-foot high wildlife wall that includes an inward facing lip at the top of the wall. Final Lake Jackson Ecopassage Feasibility Study (Appendix A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J)
May 23 2005	The CRTPA voted unanimously to move forward with the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study by approving the Scope-of_Services for the PD&E Study that is being funded by FDOT in the amount of $60,000 from their Ecosystem Management Funds. The PD&E study will evaluate the No Action and Preferred Alternative. The study will document the alternatives analysis process utilized in the Feasibilty Study including preliminary engineering work that will be necessary for the design. A completed PD&E study is required to apply for Federal funding for the construction of the project. The PD&E will be followed by the design phase of the project.
February 14, 2006	Leon County finally approves the Agreement and Scope of Services for the PD&E.
March 1, 2006	The Notice to Proceed was finally issued (nearly 10 months after the Scope of Services was approved at the May meeting of the CRTPA). Kimley-Horn and CRTPA staff are now working with the FDOT Central Office and District 3 to complete the PD&E Study. It is expected to be completed in September 2006.
1 November 2006	The Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to fund the design phase of the project in the amount of $450,000 and will be administered by FDOT District 3. The design phase will begin following the completion of the PD&E study in early 2007.
18 January 2007	The Engineering Design phase of the Ecopassage is now in the Florida Department of Transportation Work Program for Leon County and will begin in 2007. The FDOT Central Environmental Management Office allocated $436,000 for this phase of the project.
22 January 2007	PD&E Study is accepted by the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency
07 February 2007	Scope of Services released for design study
17 April 2007	E.C. Driver & Associates, Inc. are awarded design study by FDOT (contract no. 07346, financial management no. 41474613201)
01 May 2007	E.C. Driver & Associates, Inc. begin working on the Engineering Design plans for the wall and underpass system. This work includes elevational surveys, structural borings, utilities surveys, and analyses of culvert and wall materials and placement. The design phase of the project will be completed in March 2009
The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. recognizes the financial support of FDOT for the feasibility study ($125,000), the PD&E study ($60,000), and the design phase ($436,000)  and we look forward to their continued cooperation in funding the construction phase of the ecopassage. The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Advisory Group is a partnership among the Florida Department of Transportation, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Leon County Commission, the Paynes Prairie Wildlife Coalition, the United States Geological Survey, and the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. Together, they are actively pursuing mitigative options that will help protect the lake ecosystem and its wildlife. The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. strongly supports this partnership. Unfortunately, despite all of the developments that have taken place over the past 8 years, we have yet to achieve a solution. Please add your voice to this project. For further information on other current developments with the Lake Jackson Ecopassage, please refer to our Latest Developments section.

Take Action and Help Save the Turtles and Other Wildlife!!!

What can you do?  There are 5 main ways you can directly help with this project:

1.  Write letters urging public officials to support the US Highway 27 Lake Jackson Ecopassage, click here for more information on writing these letters.

2.  Spread the word about the ecopassage project:

• forward our website address (http://www.lakejacksonturtles.org) to people you know who might be interested

• print out this flier ( format or format) or brochure ( or ) and distribute it to friends or post it at work;

• if you maintain a website, please add a link to our page;

• include an article about the ecopassage project in newsletters, magazines or other print media (we can write the article for you - just let us know);

• contact your local newspaper or radio station and let them know about the project;

• put one of our bumper stickers on your vehicle;

• volunteer to man an information booth at your local mall or other local events;

• give talks about the ecopassage project to school groups or other civic groups (or contact us to give the talk for you)

In order to read the PDF file you need to have a copy of Acrobat Reader. Click on the icon to download

3.  Attend public meetings where the ecopassage will be discussed to show a unified group effort is behind this project.

4.  Join us! Become a member of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance.  Our volunteer members work as a team to meet with government officials, assist in public outreach by circulating information about the effort to construct a permanent ecopassage, and help monitor and maintain the temporary fence. If you would like to join, please email The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance at turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org, call us at (850) 585-5415, or attend our meetings.

5. Donate:

• financial contributions to purchase temporary fence materials, maintenance equipment, and other items that help us save wildlife;

• advertising materials (buttons, t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, pens, fridge magnets, etc) to help us raise awareness about the project;;

• advertising time or space (television, radio, print media, billboards) to help us raise awareness about the plight of the turtles;

• office equipment (computer, fax machine, digital camera) to help us document our findings, communicate with the public, etc;

• a pickup truck or SUV* for transporting fence repair material, rescued wildlife, and volunteers up to the ecopassage site at Lake Jackson

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization.*

Checks should be made payable to: Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance and mailed to: 

Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc.

P.O. Box 180891

Tallahassee, Florida  32318

ONLINE DONATIONS (via PayPal's secure server):

 

All donations will receive a complimentary Lake Jackson Ecopassage bumper sticker. 

Please contact our office for further information turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org or by phone (850) 585-5415.

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization and registered Florida charity, registration # CH-15726, under the Solicitation of Contributions Act (Florida Statute 496). A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352). Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State of Florida. 100% of each contribution is retained by The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc.

*Contributions of gifts or gifts-in- kind are fully tax deductible as allowed by law. We provide tax receipts for all donations made to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. For gifts of less than $250, a canceled check is sufficient for IRS requirements. For larger gifts, you can use the tax receipt that we issue to you as a confirmation of your tax-deductible contribution.

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Writing Letters of Support

Please write letters to the Leon County Commissioners, State Agencies, and Legislators listed below to express your strong support for the construction of a permanent wildlife ecopassage at US Highway 27 where it crosses northwest Lake Jackson, Leon County, Florida.  The project we are proposing would be similar to the recently completed project along US Highway 441 at Paynes Prairie State Preserve south of Gainesville.

Important points to mention in your letter:

The four-lane, heavily traveled US Highway 27 is a major wildlife migration barrier during both drought years and when lake levels are normal.  A well-designed ecopassage would solve a major wildlife road-mortality and traffic safety problem and save thousands of animals of the 60 reptile, amphibian, and mammal species documented attempting to cross US Highway 27.  Additional information can be found in our Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve Roadkill Fact Sheet. Please send us a copy of your letter so we can keep track of the support for this project.  

 

Thank you for your help!  Many letters have been received by us so far and these letters are making a difference!

Letters from outside Florida are certainly encouraged - please do not feel that your voice will not be heard if you are not a resident of Florida. This project is of international significance and we have received hundreds of letters from outside of Florida.

Need help writing your letter of support?  Please click here for a sample letter (or if you represent an organization) you can simply fill in and mail.  You can also send an email or a FAX, but a letter is more effective. If you don't have time to send a letter to all of those on the list, please send one copy to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc and we will make copies and forward on your behalf (but please tell us that you want us to do that for you).

Please send letters of support for the Lake Jackson Ecopassage to:

***JUST CLICK ON THE EMAIL LINK - WE'VE ALREADY WRITTEN THE LETTER FOR YOU*** It's easy and your letter will help saves thousands of animals each year. One mouse click - that's all it takes.

 

Stephanie Kopelousos, Secretary Florida Department of Transportation 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450 (850) 414-5205 FAX (850) 414-5201 stephanie.kopelousos@dot.state.fl.us	The Honorable Charlie Crist, Governor, State of Florida The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street  Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850) 488-4441 FAX (850) 922-4292 charlie.crist@myflorida.com
Leon County Board of County Commissioners Leon County Courthouse, 5th Floor 301 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida  32301-1853   (850) 488-9962 FAX (850) 488-1670 County Commission (Board of County Commissioners)	Michael W. Sole, Secretary Department of Environmental Protection 3900 Commonwealth Blvd. M.S. 10  Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000 (850) 245-2011 michael.sole@dep.state.fl.us
The Honorable Alfred Lawson, Jr., Senator Senate Office Building, Room 210 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 (850) 487-5004 FAX (850) 487-5086 lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov	Ken Haddad, Executive Director Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 620 South Meridian St.  Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 487-3796 FAX (850) 921-5786 kenneth.haddad@fwc.state.fl.us
Please send a copy of your letter to: Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc. P.O. Box 180891 Tallahassee, Florida  32318 email: turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org

Responses From Politicians and Agency Representatives:

• Senator Al Lawson

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Upcoming Presentations and Events by the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance makes presentations to organizations, civic groups, and schools in order to increase awareness of the road mortality problem at Lake Jackson, to encourage citizens to get involved, and to prompt citizens to write letters of support.  These talks are entertaining and include natural history information about turtles that lead biologist Dr. Matt Aresco has learned over the many years that he has been researching turtles. He'll bring along several live turtles to make the talks fun and interesting for people of all ages and backgrounds.  Everyone is welcome to attend these presentations.

To request a group presentation, please contact The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance at turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org or (850) 585-5415.

The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance also appears at many events, both locally and nationally. Please see our schedule below if you'd like to learn more, or help volunteer.

Event	Date and Time	Location	Contact Information
None scheduled at the moment

To request more information about upcoming public meetings, please contact The Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance at turtles@lakejacksonturtles.org or (850) 585-5415.

  Past Events

• Red Hills Horse Trials (March 7-9, 2003)

• Fence Repair & Replacement Work Days (March 15-16, 2003)

• Tallahassee Wildlife Festival (April 25, 2004)

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  Supporters -The following organizations and companies support the building of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage. If your organization or company would like to help support the Lake Jackson Ecopassage, please send the Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance your letter. Total supporters of the Lake Jackson Ecopassage, when including the membership of all supporting organizations, is now in excess of 13.4 million people. We thank all of you for your support!

 

Alachua Audubon Society

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

American Tortoise Rescue

Annie's Homegrown Organic Pasta

Apalachee Ecological Conservancy, Inc

Apalachee Land Conservancy

Auburn Herpetological Society

Betton Hills Neighborhood Association

California Turtle and Tortoise Club

Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network

The Canoe Shop

Center for North American Herpetology

Coastal Plains Institute

Conservation Services Southeast

Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society

Defenders of Wildlife

Ecology and Evolution Research Discussion Group, Florida State University

Environmental Services Program, Florida State University

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Lake Management Society

Florida Natural Areas Inventory

Florida Public Interest Research Group

Florida Turtle Conservation Trust

Florida Wildlife Federation

Friends of Lake Jackson

Gainesville Herpetological Society

Gopher Tortoise Council

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

Heart of the Earth

Herpetologists' League

Humane Society of the United States

Jacksonville Herpetological Society

Lake Jackson Ecopassage Alliance, Inc.

Leon County

Mid Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society

Minnesota Herpetological Society

National Audubon Society

National Wildlife Federation

Native Nurseries

New York Turtle and Tortoise Society

Northwest Florida Water Management District

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)

Paynes Prairie Wildlife Coalition

Saint Francis Wildlife Association

Saint Louis / Midwest Turtle & Tortoise Society

Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

Sierra Club

Tortoise Trust

Turtle and Tortoise Club of Florida

United States Geological Survey

University of Georgia Herpetological Society

West End Animal Hospital

World Chelonian Trust

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  Links - Find out what web sites around the world have linked to the Lake Jackson Ecopassage web site. There are currently over 50 sites linked to our site. If you know of others or find a broken link, please let us know. Use our bumper sticker design as an icon on your web page  

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Recognition (Awards) the Lake Jackson Ecopassage project has received:

• 2005 FAPA Award of Merit - This award is presented by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association and recognizes outstanding planning projects in the State of Florida that demonstrate innovation, transferability, quality, implementation, and comprehensiveness. An award ceremony was held as part of the opening session at the FAPA State Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, on September 8, 2005.

• 2005 Florida State University Graduate Student Leadership Award - This award recognizes outstanding graduate student leaders who make a positive difference in their scholarly or creative community, the campus community or the community at large. The recipient of this prestigious award, selected by a faculty and student committee, exhibits strong leadership skills through such activities as peer mentoring, teaching, research, publishing, creative work, service and/or participation in  professional association activities.

• 2004 Wildlife Conservationist of the Year - This award is presented annually by the Florida Wildlife Federation. Honorees are selected for their dedicated efforts on behalf of Florida's fish and wildlife resources. Press Release

• 2004 Walter Turken Award - This award is presented annually by the Humane Society of Collier County "in recognition of contributions to the advancement of animal welfare". 

• 2003 Cypress Award - This award is presented annually by the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club to recognize individuals "Contributing Greatly to the Public's Environmental Awareness."

• 2003 Purple Paw Award - This award is presented annually by the Leon County Humane Society to people and pets who show bravery and courage in the face of adversity. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco on 4 October 2003.

• Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful "We Noticed!" Award - The award recognizes Leon County's environmental heroes that serve as catalysts for positive change in the community. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco on 14 November 2002

• Florida State University Student Profiles of Service Award, 2001 - This award is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs (Center for Civic Education and Service) recognizing individual students who demonstrate exemplary commitment to community service at campus, local, national, or international levels. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco on 15 November 2001

• Certificate of Appreciation - Lake Jackson Turtle Rescue, Leon County, Florida, Lake Jackson Restoration Awards Ceremony. Awarded to Dr. Matthew Aresco in October 2001

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Species Rescued by the Fence or found Dead on the Road

(#s updated 16 April 2008)

The two most abundant turtle species:

4,249 Yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta)	3,806 Florida cooters (Pseudemys floridana)

Other turtle & tortoise species:

873 Musk turtles  (Sternotherus odoratus)	313 Florida softshells  (Apalone ferox)	102 Eastern mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum)
18 common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)	6 chicken turtles  (Deirochelys reticularia)	3 Suwannee cooters  (Pseudemys concinna)
59 Box turtles  (Terrapene carolina)	In addition to the aquatic turtles rescued by this temporary fence, two species of terrestrial turtles were found at the fence. All the species of turtles have been found dead on the road.	13 Gopher tortoises  (Gopherus polyphemus)

Other reptile and amphibian species rescued by the fence or found dead on the road (indicated with asterisk): (click here for photos of these species)

 

Mud snake   Snakes (16 species) Florida green water snake, Nerodia floridana* Banded water snake, Nerodia fasciata* Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus* Black racer, Coluber constrictor* Corn snake, Elaphe guttata* Ribbon snake, Thamnophis sauritus Garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis* Eastern kingsnake, Lampropeltis getulus* Black swamp snake, Seminatrix pygaea* Mud snake, Farancia abacura* Red-bellied snake, Storeria occipitomaculata Ringneck snake, Diadophis punctatus Gray rat snake, Elaphe obsoleta spiloides* Rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus Scarlet snake, Cemophora coccinea copei* Coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum

Lizards (6 species) Eastern glass lizard, Ophisaurus ventralis* Green anole, Anolis carolinensis* Five-lined skink, Eumeces fasciatus Ground skink, Scincella lateralis Broad-headed skink, Eumeces laticeps Six-lined racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus*    Eastern glass lizard   Crocodilian (1 species) American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis*       * Found dead on road

Salamanders (2 species) Two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means Central newt, Notophthalmus viridescens