Gulf Coast crews relocating endangered gopher tortoises at job site

Protecting wildlife while upgrading pipes 

Spire crews – normally in the field servicing natural gas to the community – worked to save endangered gopher tortoises in Bay Minette, Alabama. The animals burrowed along a right of way, putting them in danger of being hit by cars and meaning we'd have to avoid that spot in installing pipelines. Kyler Stewart, pipeline management manager in Gulf Coast, and his crew consulted with conservation officials and rescued the animals. Watch this WALA (Fox 10) story to learn more.

After weeks of waiting for a second tortoise that had taken up residence in the same burrow to emerge on his own, the decision was made to excavate. This tortoise has been safely removed and handed off to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for relocation. Watch the new WALA-TV story here.