Latest news with #Manatee
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cape Coral residents battle iguana takeover
CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WFLA) — Residents in a Cape Coral neighborhood are battling an unusual infestation: huge iguanas. NBC affiliate Gulf Coast News reported that one house has been vacant since Hurricane Ian in 2022, and since then, iguanas have arrived by the dozens, and nothing seems to help. WATCH: Crews spot alligator living in storm water pipe One neighbor, Rick Wheeler, said he's killed over 20, but they keep coming back. 'At any point in time, you can see 10, 15 iguanas outside,' he told Gulf Coast News. Green iguanas are invasive and now number in the thousands across South Florida. Like other invasive reptiles, you can humanely kill iguanas on your property year-round. Manatee dies while receiving medical care at Florida state park: report Photos and video shows iguanas covering the property outside, hanging out on the roof and even peeking through the windows from inside the house. They aren't small either, Wheeler caught one that measured almost six feet long. But the city says because its a nuisance and not a public safety concern, they won't use tax dollars to address the problem. Neighbors are concerned that if nothing is done, the iguanas will continue to spread through the neighborhood. Here are some tips from the Fish and Wildlife Commission to help deter iguanas from your property. Removing plants that act as attractants, like fruits and flowers Filling in holes to discourage burrowing Hanging wind chimes or other items that make intermittent noises Hanging CDs that have reflective surfaces Spraying the animals with water as a deterrent Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida slaps property insurance company with $100K fine over Hurricane Ian claims
Video above: 'Broke' insurance companies moved money, report finds TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida insurance regulators fined a property insurance company $100,000 for its mishandling of claims in the wake of Hurricane Ian in 2022. According to a consent order document provided by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Centauri Specialty Insurance Company failed to utilize properly appointed adjusters and provide a disclosure statement when providing payments on claims that were not the full and final payment. Manatee dies while receiving medical care at Florida state park: report Insurance regulators pointed to 168 instances where the company used insurance adjusters who were not properly appointed. Florida law requires them to be licensed and appointed. The office said that Centauri 'did not provide the particular disclosure statement when providing a payment on a claim that was not the full and final payment in 141 instances.' Centauri was fined $100,000, plus $2,000 in administrative costs. As part of the agreement, the company acknowledged it could face administrative penalties if caught violating the terms of the consent order in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Orphaned baby manatee rescued in South Florida, now recovering at Sea World
The Brief A baby manatee under a month old was rescued in southern Florida after being found alone and struggling in strong currents. Wildlife experts suspect the calf may have been accidentally separated from its mother, who hasn't been located. The calf is now receiving care at Sea World Orlando as officials urge the public to avoid interfering with marine wildlife. ORLANDO, Fla. - A baby manatee under a month old was rescued in southern Florida after being found alone and struggling in strong currents. What we know A baby manatee, less than one month old, was rescued in southern Florida after being found alone and struggling in a waterway with a strong current. Boaters who noticed the calf alerted authorities, and the Dolphin Research Center, in coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), carried out the rescue. The young manatee is now receiving care at Sea World Orlando, where staff are working to rehabilitate him for a future release back into the wild. What we don't know The fate of the calf's mother remains unknown. Rescue officials found no signs that she had died, leaving open the possibility that the pair became separated, possibly due to human activity or environmental conditions. It is also unclear how long the calf was alone before being found or what the full extent of its condition was at the time of rescue. The backstory Manatee calves typically remain with their mothers for up to two years, relying on them for nourishment, protection, and guidance. Finding a calf this young alone is highly unusual and concerning. The incident highlights the risks posed to marine wildlife by increasing human interaction and water traffic, particularly in Florida's heavily used waterways. The backstory Florida's manatee population has faced mounting threats in recent years, from habitat degradation to increased boat traffic. Orphaned or distressed manatees are becoming more common rescue cases, prompting wildlife organizations to emphasize the importance of public awareness and conservation efforts. Encounters like this underscore the need for boaters and beachgoers to respect wildlife spaces and avoid direct interference. The calf was spotted and rescued earlier this week, with details confirmed by officials on Thursday. After being stabilized on site, the manatee was quickly transported to Sea World Orlando, where he remains under professional care. The organization has not yet named the animal and is continuing to monitor his progress toward recovery. What they're saying "This is one of the reasons it is always important to respect wildlife and keep your distance," said Allie Prokovec of the Dolphin Research Center. "You could be unknowingly separating a mother from her calf."Sea World Orlando also issued a reminder: "If you spot a stranded or distressed marine animal, please notify Florida Fish and Wildlife. Do not attempt to intervene on your own." 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 reported by
