Otter bites person at Wekiva Island; FWC searching for animal
A person was bitten by an otter at Wekiva Island on May 29, prompting a response from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), officials said.
FWC reminds people to be safe as boaters take to the water this summer
With just a week until Memorial Day weekend, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding everyone to have safety top of mind while on the water.
Florida announces longest Gulf red snapper recreational season in state history
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the 2025 Gulf red snapper recreational fishing season will be the longest in the state’s history, spanning 126 days between summer and fall, during a news conference in Destin Monday.
Florida angler attempts to save great blue heron ensnared in fishing line
A Central Florida angler spotted a great blue heron entangled in fishing line at Herschel King Park.
FWC asking for meat processors, taxidermists help with testing for 'zombie deer disease'
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for meat processors and taxidermists to help them test for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer.
2 Polk County men charged with 'taking a deer at night': FWC
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested two Polk County men after they were caught illegally taking wildlife at night, according to officials.
FWC calls off search for manatees, hopes they escaped retention pond
FWC called off a search for three manatees, hoping they made their way back to the open water.
Non-profit spreading awareness about driving boats while drunk
There are more than a million registered boats in the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and within the first half of 2023, more than 300 Floridians got busted for being drunk while driving a boat.
Poachers removing hundreds of animals from waters on Anna Maria Island, boat captains say
Boat captains on Anna Maria Island said poachers are turning the water into a free-for-all, removing hundreds of living animals from their habitat at a time.
Suspected sea life poachers steal hundreds of protected animals from Manatee County waterways
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, along with captains in Manatee County are on the lookout for people poaching sea life from the water.
Florida alligator poachers facing third-degree felony, FWC says
Alligators are a protected species. It’s illegal to kill one outside of gator hunting season in Florida, unless it's deemed a threat by FWC and at that point they'll bring in a state-certified trapper.
Young black bear wanders outside Tampa elementary school
A young black bear was spotted outside Bay Crest Elementary School in Tampa Tuesday morning.
Florida Python Challenge registration open for snake hunters
The 2023 Florida Python Challenge® gives participants the opportunity to win over $30,000 in prizes and contribute to Everglade restoration efforts.
Wildlife officials looking for help finding horseshoe crabs along Florida beaches
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is looking for your help with its annual Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch.
'It's do or die': Man loses arm after surviving alligator attack at Lake Manatee
The man was alone and missing part of his arm after he was attacked by the gator at Lake Manatee and spent three days lost in the woods before finding help.
FWC search K-9's return to Southeastern Guide Dogs to show off new skills
Southeastern Guide Dogs welcomed back a pair of pups Monday that didn't make it as guide dogs, but found success as Florida Fish and Wildlife search dogs.
'Ghost gear' kills thousands of fish, marine animals each year
The problem isn’t unique to Tampa Bay. Ghost gear is found in waterways all over the globe and this week conservationists are hoping to shine a little light on the issue and inspire people to help clean up their local waterways.
How to stay safe while boating over the Fourth of July weekend
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Office, is reminding boaters of the importance of boater safety equipment and the dangers of operating a boat while under the influence.
Wildlife officials hope to double rescue, rehabilitation capacity for manatees before winter return
After a record number of manatee deaths mostly linked to malnutrition, state and federal wildlife officials hope to double rescue and rehabilitation capacity before the sea cows again congregate in warm waters during the winter.
Wildlife officials urge public to report long-tailed weasel sightings in Florida
Reported sightings of long-tailed weasels have gone down drastically in the last two decades in the state, and the Florida wildlife officials want to change that.