Because gopher tortoises are a protected species, if burrows are found on a development site that appear to be occupied, developers are required to relocate them to a safer place before they can do any site work.

That’s where Lotspeich comes in.

Ecological firms are required to set up traps to catch the tortoises and monitor them daily — weekends included — for 28 days, per state rules. If no tortoises are captured, the traps can be broken down.