A man in Florida was arrested for intentionally hitting an alligator and destroying the alligator’s nest with a lawnmower. Wildlife officials were called to the location when a 6-foot alligator was reportedly injured. A witness told the officials that he had seen a man riding a lawnmower near the area. The man had first scared […]
Tag: florida
Record number of manatees die in Florida as food source dries up
More manatees have died already this year than in any other year in Florida’s recorded history, primarily from starvation due to the loss of seagrass beds, state officials have said. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that 841 manatee deaths were recorded between 1 January and 2 July, breaking the previous record of […]
Feds plan to open more of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge to the public
In eastern Collier County, where hardwood hammocks, cypress domes and wet prairies provide ideal habitat for an abundance of wildlife, lies the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has had little public access aside from two short hiking trails since it was established in 1989. Now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants […]
Florida Manatees Dying Due to Famine
A new report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) found that manatees are dying due to a seagrass famine. 739 manatee deaths have been recorded as of May 14. Last year, a total of 277 manatees were reported dead. The high for 2021 is already exceeded the five-year average, as well as […]
Florida seeks solution to invasive reptile problem – Should Florida’s invasive reptiles be culled?
From Key West’s high-summer Hemingway Days, in which bearded hopefuls vie for the title of best Papa lookalike, to the annual hunt for the elusive (and imaginary) skunk ape, Florida is renowned for its calendar of curiosities. Now another bizarre date has been added to the list: tag your reptile day. Owners of tegus, a […]
Eastern Gulf’s Protections from Oil Drilling Set to Expire
The eastern Gulf of Mexico has been protected from oil and gas drilling for decades, most recently by the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. Unfortunately, the ban is scheduled to end on June 30, 2022, and without renewal or replacement, this long-protected area could be open to drilling. In fact, the Interior Department’s […]
Florida iguanas hunted and killed for tacos and burritos: report
Iguanas living in South Florida have something new to watch out for – a California-based exotic meats operation is setting up shop to take advantage of the invasive population. According toPalm Beach Post, California resident Anshu Pathak has been making a living selling iguana meat from his exotic meats operation. Iguanas gather on the seawall […]
Manatee deaths by watercraft rising at record pace in Florida
Wildlife experts have blamed toxic red tide algae and a cold snap for the deadly 2018 experienced by manatees, but so far this year, boats are the primary cause. From the beginning of this year through June 21, 81 manatees have been killed by watercraft in Florida’s waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife […]
