Overview
- Wildlife officers say the tortoise was found in DeLand with spray foam in its mouth and throat and taken to the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet.
- Rehabilitation staff flushed its eyes and mouth, ran X-rays, gave fluids, and removed the material over several days before release near its home range.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating possible animal cruelty and is seeking juvenile suspects based on witness reports.
- Officials have not confirmed any charges and are asking anyone with information to contact investigators.
- The gopher tortoise is a protected keystone species in Florida, and experts say cases like this are rare but can be deadly without fast care.