🦩 Wildlife
Manatee sightings, gator news, conservation updates, and wildlife encounters from across Florida.
FWC: What to Do if Storms Wash Up Sea Turtle Hatchlings
Florida wildlife officials say storm-displaced hatchlings need a hotline call, not a return trip to the water.
Everglades Wilderness Waterway Permits: Chickees & Campsites
How to reserve a backcountry campsite or chickee for an overnight Everglades water trip.
Florida Wildlife Feeding Rules: Fines Can Escalate to Jail
Florida bans feeding many wild animals, with repeat violations carrying misdemeanor penalties and, in some cases, felony charges.
Ten Thousand Islands NWR: Kayak, Boat & Marsh Trail Guide
Plan a smart Southwest Florida wildlife outing with the refuge’s best trail, launch and on-the-water logistics.
Camp Blanding WMA Access Permit: iSportsman Guide
How hikers and wildlife viewers can use iSportsman, track military closures and visit Camp Blanding WMA legally.
Two Young Kangaroos Join North Florida Wildlife Center
Bonnie and Tilley are currently in pouch-style care before joining the center’s other kangaroos.
What to Do if You Find a Sea Turtle Hatchling After a Storm
Florida wildlife officials say stranded hatchlings should not be handled or put back in the ocean.
Central Florida Zoo Offers Animals, Train Rides and Seasonal Events
Sanford’s Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens combines animal encounters, a scaled-down train and seasonal programs.
Tom Rahill Wins Florida Python Challenge With 96 Snakes
Tom Rahill earned the $10,000 top prize after removing 96 Burmese pythons during Florida’s annual hunt.
Miami Teen Sets Florida Record for Jaguar Guapote
A 16-year-old angler caught the 3.02-pound record fish in the Westwood Lakes area, according to FWC.
Python Hunt Winner Captures Remarkable Number in Everglades
A winner of Florida’s annual python hunt removed an unusually large number of invasive snakes from the Everglades.
Two Florida-Only Mammals Still Face Habitat Pressures
The Florida bonneted bat and Florida mouse both depend on habitats under continuing pressure from development and loss.
Bakso the Tiger to Leave Disney’s Animal Kingdom This Fall
The 2-year-old Sumatran tiger will move to another accredited zoo through the Species Survival Plan.
FWC: Don’t Touch Turtle Hatchlings Washed Onto Florida Beaches
Wildlife officials say rough surf can return hatchlings to shore, where they may need specialized care.
Florida Leatherbacks Could Set a New Nesting Record
Preliminary statewide counts show 2,209 leatherback nests, which would top Florida’s record after final review.
Florida Alligator Hunt Permit: Lottery, Costs & Rules
A practical guide to Florida’s statewide alligator-hunt lottery, permit areas, access rules, agent licenses and 2026 dates.
Three Sisters Springs: Manatee Season, Shuttle & Access Guide
Plan a smooth Crystal River visit with the seasonal manatee-viewing rules, boardwalk logistics and water-access basics.
Disney World Animal Care Team Prepares 10,000 Pounds of Food Daily
More than 5,000 animals at Walt Disney World receive 1,200 specialized diets each day.
FWC: Don’t Return Stranded Sea Turtle Hatchlings to the Ocean
Florida wildlife officials say storm-washed hatchlings need specialized care, not a push back into the surf.
202-Pound Burmese Python Still Florida’s Heaviest Catch of 2026
A 202-pound female caught in Big Cypress remains this year’s largest, while 56 pythons have been removed in Palm Beach County.
Florida Spiny Lobster Sport Season: Visitor Rules & Limits
A practical guide to mini-season licenses, bag limits, protected zones and Florida Keys rules for visiting lobster hunters.
FWC Sets Virtual Gopher Tortoise Meeting for Oct. 14
The public can join FWC’s virtual Gopher Tortoise Technical Assistance Group meeting on Oct. 14.
Florida Crew Removes Brooding Python and Her Egg Clutch
A female invasive python was removed with the eggs she was guarding in a nest concealed among ferns.
Florida Fish Art Contest Opens for K–12 Students
Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grade can enter original fish artwork through Feb. 28.