Spray-painted gopher tortoise found in Martin County

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STUART, Fla. — A blue spray-painted gopher tortoise was found near a home in Martin County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission said.

Painting any part of a gopher tortoise, a protected species, is illegal. Paint can cause several health issues for the reptiles, including vitamin deficiencies, respiratory problems and blood contamination, according to the FWC.

The tortoise was treated at an animal rehabilitation and released back into the wild, though its body was still tinted blue, the FWC said.

Anyone who sees a painted tortoise is urged to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC.

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