The science is clear: gopher tortoises are critically endangered.    Yet federal wildlife officials are still denying Endangered Species Act protections to most of the species’ range.    The Center for Biological Diversity sued over that decision, and we’re continuing the fight while new research strengthens the case for protection.     Gopher tortoises have shovel-like front legs and strong, thick back legs that help them dig deep burrows that more than 360 other species use. They’re considered a keystone species because they’re critical components of the ecosystems where they live.    Yet habitat destruction has reduced gopher tortoises’ longleaf pine habitat to less than 3% of its original extent, and populations have declined by 80% in the last 120 years.     Make a gift today at the link in our bio to help us defend gopher tortoises and the hundreds of species that rely on their burrows. 💚   #gophtertortoise #tortoise #endangeredspecies #endangered