Chelonians are among the most threatened reptiles, with 57.9% at risk and the family Testudinidae having the highest average threat level (4.06). As members of this threatened family, the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species that serves as an ecosystem engineer. Their burrows provide shelter to over 360 species, stabilizing habitats and maintaining ecological equilibrium in the longleaf pine ecosystems. However, its population has declined by 80% since the late 20th century and is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, federally threatened, and critically imperiled (S1) in Louisiana. The only health assessment in Louisiana occurred two decades ago. At that time, Mycoplasma agassizii was the only infectious disease surveyed, with 26% of the population being seropositive, and animals had a low bioaccumulation of heavy metals. While these findings provided valuable data, they do not necessarily reflect the present health status of this population. This study aims to provide an updated 20-year health assessment of the most western population of the gopher tortoise by evaluating 40 wild caught individuals and performing physical examinations and collecting samples to measure the prevalences of Mycoplasma spp., herpesvirus, ranavirus, and heavy metals (arsenic, lead, thallium, cadmium, and zinc). Ultimately, this study will provide evidence-based data that can be used to better characterize the epidemiology of these diseases and the long-term management of this species in Louisiana.