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February 6, 2006

"South Carolina Wildlife" TV show airs Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

Don't miss the latest episode of “South Carolina Wildlife” television show on South Carolina Educational Television. Beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, viewers will see a variety of outdoor pastimes and places, and get close-up views of some special plants and animals occurring in the Palmetto State. “South Carolina Wildlife” is a production of S.C Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and South Carolina Educational Television and airs the second Saturday of each month at 6 p.m.

Tag along with DNR staffers Jean Leitner and Michael Hook as they visit the Aiken Gopher TortoiseGopher tortoise Heritage Preserve in Aiken County, the Reedy River near Greenville and Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve in Lexington County. DNR videographers John Lucas and Glenn Gardner take you to the Bear Island Wildlife Management Area in Colleton County for a walk with some wading birds in the Palmetto Portraits segment.

The Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve is approximately 1,500-acres and home to the rare and state-listed endangered gopher tortoise, a keystone reptile that provides shelter for many other species of animals in its 30-foot long underground burrows, which are about 10 to 15 feet deep. The preserve is the northernmost known location of the large, terrestrial tortoises, which have stumpy, elephantine hind feet.

The next stop for “South Carolina Wildlife” is along the Reedy River in Greenville County. Visit with DNR biologists as they check the river and its progress after nearly one million gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the river back in June of 1996 just north of Highway 418.

Next up is a visit to Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve in Lexington County. There you’ll find bountiful wildlife, sunlit dappled forest paths, with 12,000 years of history and pre-history tucked away in a pristine setting, just a stone's throw from downtown city lights. The 627-acre preserve borders the Congaree River and Cayce.

You’ll wind up the episode with sights and sounds from Bear Island Wildlife Management Area. The area is managed to provide quality habitat for wintering waterfowl, and other wetland wildlife including threatened and endangered species, such as woodstorks and bald eagles, to provide habitat for upland game and nongame species.

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