🦩 Wildlife
Manatee sightings, gator news, conservation updates, and wildlife encounters from across Florida.
FWC Seeks Input on Big Bend Oyster Harvest Rules
Workshops in Suwannee and Cedar Key will gather feedback on proposed oyster-harvest changes in three counties.
FWC Lionfish Challenge Sets Removal Record
Florida divers removed 36,187 invasive lionfish during the summer-long 2026 FWC competition.
Florida Black Bears Slow Down in Winter, but Stay Alert
Florida black bears may den or enter brief torpor in winter, but they can still be active and defensive.
Red Tide Found at Background Levels Near Sarasota
FWC reported background concentrations offshore of Hillsborough and in and offshore of Sarasota County.
Florida’s Lionfish Challenge Removes More Than 36,000 Fish
FWC says 533 participants removed 36,187 invasive lionfish during this summer’s statewide challenge.
Two Young Kangaroos Join North Florida Wildlife Center
Tillie and Bonnie, two young female red kangaroos, are settling in at the North Florida attraction.
Florida Divers Set Record by Removing 36,000 Lionfish
More than 500 participants removed over 36,000 invasive lionfish from Florida waters in the 2026 FWC challenge.
South Florida Flooding Sends More Snakes Into Neighborhoods
A Treasure Coast trapper says snake-removal calls have tripled as heavy rain displaces animals seeking dry ground.
Everglades National Park Offers Wildlife, Water Trails and Camping
South Florida’s 1.5-million-acre national park offers three entry points, wildlife viewing and backcountry routes.
North Florida Wildlife Center Reports Visitor Growth
The Jefferson County center says it welcomed 10,000 visitors in the past year, a 25% increase over its prior year.
New Manatee Arrives at EPCOT
A new manatee has arrived at EPCOT, according to Disney Food Blog.
Tampa Researchers Tag Cobia and Tripletail Across Gulf
USF and state researchers are tracking the sport fish to help fill gaps in migration, survival and population data.
Stock Island Captain Wins FWC’s Lionfish King Title
Hunter Ledbetter removed 1,541 invasive lionfish in four months to win the statewide 2026 FWC challenge.
Pensacola Wildlife Sanctuary Takes In More Than 200 Baby Squirrels
NW Florida Wildlife Sanctuary reported an influx of baby squirrels after reopening following Hurricane Isaias.
Stone Crab Season Rules and Enforcement in the Florida Keys
Stone crab season runs Oct. 15 through May 1, with size, trap and daily harvest limits in place.
Florida Loggerhead Nesting Reaches Preliminary Record High
Preliminary state data counted 136,972 loggerhead nests by Aug. 31, surpassing the previous high from 2023.
Shark Valley Tram vs. Bike: Tickets, Wildlife & Parking
Choose the guided tram or the 15-mile bike loop with current costs, reservation advice and a smart parking plan.
Florida Recreational Flounder Season Closes Oct. 15
Recreational anglers cannot harvest flounder in Florida from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Florida Bay Scallop Season: Zones, Licenses & Bag Limits
A practical guide to Florida’s regional scallop seasons, licenses, harvest boundaries and daily limits.
Wildlife Officers Remove Rattlesnake From Gulf Cove Home
A Charlotte County family called for help after finding an eastern diamondback outside their Gulf Cove home.
Second Ankole Calf of 2026 Arrives at Animal Kingdom
Raisin is spending time backstage with her mother before joining the Kilimanjaro Safaris herd.
Paynes Prairie: Best Trails for Bison, Horses & Gators
Choose the right Paynes Prairie trail for close-to-nature wildlife watching, from La Chua’s alligator-rich wetlands to the wide-open bison range.
Tiny Froglets Spotted Clinging to Orlando Home After Rain
The tiny frogs were provisionally identified as invasive Cuban tree frogs, though experts could not examine them in person.
FWC: How to Handle Wildlife Encounters After a Major Storm
The FWC urges Floridians to give displaced wildlife space and report certain animals and conflicts through its hotlines.