FWC saves gopher tortoise found covered in blue paint

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers said they have been able to clean and release a gopher tortoise that was covered in blue paint.

The endangered animal was found in Martin County.

The tortoise was taken to an animal rehabilitation facility, where it recovered, and then was placed back in the wild, albeit with a slight blue hue.

FWC said putting paint anywhere on a turtle can be harmful to the animal and is illegal.

The harmful chemicals in the paint can get into the animal’s bloodstream and leave it unable to absorb vitamins from the sun.

Paint can also damage a tortoise’s respiratory system.

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