Use the kinematics equation that lets you find the final velocity having the initial one, the acceleration, and the distance traveled. Note that the gopher falls with the aceleration of gravity:a=9.81 m/s²
vi=8.9 m/s
Δx=12m
vf²=vi²+2aΔx
vf=sqrt(vi²+2aΔx)
=sqrt[(8.9m/s)²+2(9.81m/s²)(12m)]
=sqrt(314.65m²/s²)
=17.74 m/s
which is an approx. of 18 m/s.