Wildlife can become more visible after a major storm, particularly in flooded areas, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is urging residents to keep their distance and give animals space.
The agency says people may see more alligators and snakes after a storm. Concerns involving an alligator can be reported to the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
Rough weather can also strand manatees or wash sea turtle hatchlings ashore. The FWC asks people to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 to report a stranded, injured or dead manatee, as well as a sea turtle hatchling tangled in seaweed or found somewhere it does not belong.
For bears, the agency recommends securing foods that could draw them in. Spoiled food in storm debris should be kept separate from other debris. Bear conflicts can be reported to FWC regional offices during business hours or to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 after hours.
