Latest news with #FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommission
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Motorcyclists injured after hitting alligator on I-4 in Orange City
Two motorcyclists were involved in a crash yesterday at approximately 6:08 p.m. on the westbound lanes of Interstate 4 near mile marker 110 in Orange City. The incident involved a 2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000R and a 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 650 traveling west in the inside lane. The motorcycles struck an alligator in the roadway, causing both riders to veer off the roadway to the left. The Suzuki entered a wooded area and would collide with a tree. The riders, a 67-year-old man from DeLeon Springs and a 25-year-old woman from Orange City, were transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was dispatched to assist with the injured alligator. The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Finally We Got Him!': 'Punk' Duck Nabbed After Terrorizing Florida Community
A Florida community can breathe easy now that a local rogue known for stalking and attacking residents has been apprehended. Jimmy, a Muscovy duck, was captured this week in the Cape Coral neighborhood he had held hostage by his acts of terror. Prior to being caught, Jimmy had attacked multiple people, local news station Fox 4 Now reported earlier this month. Neighborhood resident James Sepulveda described sitting on his porch, 'eyes closed,' when he suddenly 'felt a jab' on his hand and realized Jimmy had bitten him and drawn blood. In video footage from the news outlet, Sepulveda can be seen opening his door a crack to see Jimmy standing just outside. The man then says the duck is 'waiting' for him. Jimmy even chased Fox 4 reporter Bella Line while she attempted to report on his misdeeds. Muscovy ducks are native to Central and South America, Mexico and some parts of Texas. While the ducks are seen in the wild throughout Florida, they are a non-native species in the state. It's legal in Florida to capture 'nuisance' Muscovy ducks, but illegal to release them back to the wild because they can 'can transmit diseases to or interbreed with Florida's native waterfowl,' according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. After Jimmy's story went viral, animal rescuer Mark Quadrozzi of Remarkable Rescues stepped up with a solution that would work for humans and duck alike. This week, Quadrozzi managed to catch Jimmy and relocate him to his animal sanctuary more than 200 miles away in Ocala, where the bird can join a flock of other Muscovy ducks. Sepulveda was thrilled with the news. 'Finally we got him!' he said, per Fox 35 Orlando. The news outlet noted that it wasn't clear whether Jimmy was the only unruly duck in the area, or if others could remain. Quadrozzi believes that Jimmy, who is about 3 to 4 months old, was probably raised by people and abandoned. He also said the duck's age and sex explain a lot about his behavior. 'This is a young male,' Quadrozzi told Fox 4. 'Yes, and that's why he's being such a punk.' School Clears Out Its Halls Each Year To Help Duck Family Get Home Oldest Known Wild Bird Has Been Spotted Again — And She's Got A New Boyfriend Bald Eagle Feared Injured Deemed Simply 'Too Fat To Fly'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man used life vest to fend off alligator attack at Lake Kissimmee State Park
The Brief New details and photos were released concerning a violent gator attack. FWC says the woman was bitten on her elbow while she was paddling at Tiger Creek Canal in Polk County. The man who tried to help her was saved by his life vest. LAKE WALES, Fla. - New details have been released about a violent alligator attack that left a woman seriously injured while kayaking in Lake Kissimmee State Park earlier this year. What we know The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said a woman was kayaking when an 8-foot alligator bit her paddle, causing the kayak to capsize. Then the gator bit her on the elbow in early March in the Tiger Creek Canal near the Osceola-Polk county line. Her husband tried to pull her back up, but the gator wouldn't let go of her arm. A man who was in a group kayaking with her paddled over to try and help. According to FWC, the gator released the woman, but then bit his life jacket. The man then poked the gator in the eyes, but it still didn't let go. So, he unbuckled and ripped off the life jacket, and the gator swam away with the life vest. He was able to get away unharmed. In new photos released to FOX 35, you can see the tourniquet wrapped around the woman's arm to try and save it. At last check, thankfully, doctors were able to save her arm, and did not amputate it. The alligator was found and killed. FWC believes the female gator was being protective or territorial and was triggered by the splashing of the paddle. There was a nest and multiple young gators nearby. Dig deeper A 61-year-old Davenport woman was killed on May 6, 2025, while canoeing in the same vicinity of Lake Kissimmee State Park. Cynthia Diekema of Davenport was canoeing with her husband near the mouth of Tiger Creek into Lake Kissimmee in approximately two-and-a-half feet of water. According to FWC officials, the couple's canoe passed over a large alligator, prompting it to thrash and capsize the canoe, throwing the couple into the water. The woman reportedly landed on top of the alligator and was bitten. She was later spotted by a Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter and recovered by FWC officers, but she died of her injuries. What you can do The FWC recommends taking the following precautions to reduce the chances of alligator incidents: Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator. If someone is concerned about an alligator, they should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper will be dispatched to resolve the situation. Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge. Pets often resemble alligators' natural prey. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Never feed an alligator. It's illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to an alligator becoming a nuisance and needing to be removed from the wild.A contracted nuisance alligator trapper has been dispatched to remove the FWC report, STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials, and a phone call from a male victim.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida, dubbed 'Boating Capital of the World' by the FWC, is also the most dangerous
The 2024 Boating Accident Statistical Report shows that Florida, dubbed the 'Boating Capital of the World' by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is also the most dangerous. With more than a million registered vessels, Florida leads the nation in the number of annual boating fatalities. 'The vast size of Florida's inland, coastal and offshore patrol areas, combined with a significant population of avid and diverse boaters, presents a challenge for the FWC and local and federal maritime enforcement partners,' the FWC said in a news release. Col. Brian Smith, director of the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement, said the 2024 report is a somber fact. 'Our goal is for everyone on the water to return to the dock safely, with great memories and no tragedies,' he said in a news release. "I'm proud of the tireless work our officers and staff do to promote boating safety throughout the year, and we want nothing more than to see these numbers come down in the next report.' The 2024 Report includes the following statistics: 685 reportable boating accidents occurred in Florida — 26 more than in 2023. 81 fatalities were reported — 22 more than the previous year. Collision with a fixed object was the leading accident type, accounting for 31% of incidents. Lack of boater education remains a major concern: 65% of operators involved in fatal accidents had no formal training. The FWC underscored that many of the 2024 fatalities could have been prevented with the use of life jackets. 'Today's modern life jackets are designed to be both effective and comfortable, with lightweight, inflatable options that make wearing them easier than ever,' the release said. The FWC is also encouraging all boaters, regardless of age or experience, to complete a certified boating safety course. In the release, FWC's Lt. Nicholas Korade said life jackets and boater education saves lives. 'We want every boater to understand the responsibility they take on when they go out on the water,' he said. 'A boating safety course is one of the best ways to prepare and protect yourself and others.' The 2024 Boating Accident Statistical Report, compiled by the Boating and Waterways Section of the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement, is compiled from boating accident investigation reports submitted by FWC officers and marine law enforcement partners. The information is then analyzed by FWC's Boating and Waterways before plans to reduce the amount boating accidents, injuries, fatalities and property damage are established. The report includes reported accidents with the following criteria: A person dies or disappears under circumstances suggesting injury or death. A person requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid. Property damage totals $2,000 or more. A vessel is completely lost. According to the FWC, Florida had 1,030,053 registered vessels in 2024, slightly fewer than in 2023. 'But the number of nonregistered, active-use vessels is estimated to be close to 1 million — a figure that continues to grow,' the agency said. 'The resulting congestion on Florida's waterways further underscores the need for education, awareness and responsible boating practices.' The FWC is urging boaters to stay vigilant with the onset of summer. For information on FWC's boater safety courses, go to To read the 2024 Boating Accident Statistical Report, go to For more information about life jackets, go to This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Florida leads the nation in the number of annual boating fatalities
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘You're Fine': Shark startles woman on Florida guided tour
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WFLA)— A shark was caught on camera swimming by a woman who was on a guided tour near Panama City Beach. The tour operator, Chris Farley, with Flippin' Awesome Adventures, captured the moment the shark swam by the woman. 'You're Fine, you're fine,' Farley said reassuringly. The shark is believed to be a blacktip, Farley said in a post on Instagram. Summer pattern continues through Thursday 'You're Fine': Shark startles woman on Florida guided tour According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a blacktip shark is common in Florida's coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. 'Remember: this is their home. The Gulf is home to lots of sharks species, and humans. We're definitely not on the menu,' Farley said. The blacktip shark is active and is often seen at the surface. They usually form large schools during migration times, FWC said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
