Latest news with #WildlifeAlert
Miami Herald
10-06-2025
- Miami Herald
FWC cuffs man who speared protected goliath grouper off Pompano Beach: officials
Florida wildlife officers arrested a man who they say shot a state-protected goliath grouper just offshore of Pompano Beach on Monday. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission police added that 44-year-old Juan Nealon tried to surreptitiously discard his catch when officers signaled for him to come to shore, which he denies. The officers said they saw Nealon in a canoe close to the beach and tried to contact him from shore. FWC spokeswoman Arielle Callender noted that 'despite repeated commands to stop,' Nealon paddled farther away from the beach and purposely tipped his canoe to get rid of the fish and his speargun. The officers went into the water and found the grouper, which weighed more than 100 pounds, with the spear lodged in its body, Callender said. Nealon was arrested on a total of seven misdemeanors, including spearfishing within 100 yards of the beach, harvesting a goliath grouper without a permit and spearing a goliath grouper. He told the Herald the entire incident was a mix of ignorance of fishing regulations and not realizing the police were trying to get his attention. He also said he did not intentionally try to conceal the fish that he shot. Nealon, a professional musician, said he got excited when he saw the large size of the grouper and pulled the trigger without realizing he'd violated the regulations. He called a friend from the canoe, who told him it was illegal to harvest goliaths and to try to release the fish alive back in the water. He said that's what he was doing when the officers saw him from the beach. He said he rarely shoots fish when swims in the ocean and was actually looking for invasive lionfish, which are legal to kill. 'I'm an Earth-friendly hippy. I do music for a living, I don't even hurt ants,' he said, adding he was surprised he was cuffed and booked into jail for about 12 hours before posting a $500 bond. 'I'm sorry. I didn't know,' Nealon said. 'I understand now, but what's with the hostility?' Goliath groupers are highly protected in Florida. They almost went extinct from overfishing in the 1980s, and the FWC banned their harvest in 1990. They can grow up to eight feet long and 800 pounds, in addition to having a long lifespan — between 30 and 50 years old, according to the FWC. After years of lobbying from various fishing interests who maintain the species not only made a comeback, but were wiping out other species because of their voracious appetites, the FWC agreed in 2022 to open a very limited goliath grouper season. Still, not many people can harvest them. The season is open from March 1 through May 31, and anglers taking part are chosen from a random lottery. The bag limit is one fish per person, per season, per the FWC. Callender said the public can report conservation violations by downloading the agency's Wildlife Alert app, calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922), or submitting a tip online at
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
First fatal Florida black bear attack in state history, FWC confirmed
FLORIDA (WMBB) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed the first fatal Florida black bear attack in state history, located in Jerome, Florida. According to a news release, on Monday, May 5, the Collier County Sheriff's Office notified FWC staff of a possible fatal wildlife encounter. Family members had reported a missing relative and noticed signs of disturbances that could have been a result of a bear. The FWC law enforcement and bear management staff quickly responded to secure the area, collected information, and implemented protocols to lethally remove any bears that were suspected of being involved. The FWC said the remains of 89-year-old Robert Markel were found around 100 yards from his residence. Investigators noted various findings, including evidence implying a physical encounter between a bear and a person near the residence, a dog that was recently killed by a bear near a person, and signs that a bear had entered the home. The FWC's Human-Bear Conflict Response Policies and Guidelines outline how the agency should react when faced with situations that require a bear to be removed for public safety. The FWC said that they do not make the decision lightly, but in this case, with each of the three documented situations, it required lethal removal. From Monday evening to Tuesday morning, the FWC lethally removed three adult male bears weighing 207, 263, and 434 pounds. Additionally, there was an unsuccessful attempt to capture a fourth bear. However, DNA evidence was collected. The three carcasses and DNA samples were transported to laboratories located in Gainesville for necropsy and testing. The FWC added that the Collier County Medical Examiner is currently in the process of completing their investigation. They did imply that the preliminary cause of death was consistent with injuries caused by a black bear. Necropsy results concluded that the 263-pound black bear contained partial remains of Markel. On Friday, DNA results positively concluded that the 263-pound male black bear was present on Markel, inside his residence, and on the dog's body. The only bear DNA found at the scene matched the three bears that were lethally taken, and all three tested negative for rabies. The FWC law enforcement and bear management will continue to observe the area through the weekend as a result of them spotting one additional bear on Thursday night, which had appeared and then left the area. Guidelines for what to do in the event a bear approaches you are available at To learn more about bears and how to avoid conflicts with them, visit Please contact the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead, or orphaned bear; or report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them. The FWC said the investigation will remain open until all testing is completed and the results have been thoroughly reviewed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Authorities seek video of deadly Clearwater ferry crash
Video above: Who is Jeff Knight? Legal history of boater FWC says was involved in Clearwater ferry crash CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking for footage from the area where Sunday's fatal crash between a ferry and recreational boat occurred. Emergency crews responded to the area near the Memorial Causeway Bridge at around 8:43 p.m. Who is Jeff Knight? Legal history of boater FWC says was involved in Clearwater ferry crash The agency is seeking video taken between 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Cameras at nearby restaurants, hotels and homes may have captured the incident and what led up to it, FWC said. Anyone with information or relevant footage is asked to contact FWC by calling its Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
1st loggerhead sea turtle nest spotted at Anna Maria Island
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The first loggerhead sea turtle nest was spotted at Anna Maria Island over the weekend. The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch said it has been patrolling the beach since April 15 to ensure that any early nests are found. Endangered Black Skimmer colony spotted on Anna Maria Island 'We are excited to see that sea turtle nesting has begun on Anna Maria Island and look forward to a productive season,' said AMITW director Kristen Mazzarella. Sea turtle nesting season officially started on May 1. AMITW said residents and visitors should be aware of these tips to help ensure a successful nesting season: Do:• Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach and close drapes after dark.• Remove all beach furniture and toys from the beach at night.• Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles that may impede hatchlings on their way to the water.• Respect posted areas. Keep away from nesting and resting areas and use designated walkways.• Place trash in its proper place and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beaches. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and turtles.• Keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close! A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet away from a shorebird nest.• Keep pets away from nesting areas. Even well-behaved pets can be perceived as a threat. Keep cats indoors.• If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.• Call AMITW at 941-301-8434 or FWC at 888-404-3922 if you find a turtle (adult or hatchling) in distress.• Spread the word! If you see people disturbing nesting birds, sea turtles, or nest sites, gently remind them how their actions may hurt the animals' survival. If they continue to disturb, please call and report their activities to FWC's Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Do not:• Use flashlights, cellphones, flash photography or fishing lamps on the beach.• Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged.• Use fireworks on the beach.• Approach nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles.• Intentionally force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
27-03-2025
- USA Today
Florida kangaroo owner fined after marsupial went missing for 3 weeks
Florida kangaroo owner fined after marsupial went missing for 3 weeks Show Caption Hide Caption Video shows wallaby roaming around Kentucky neighborhood Security cameras captured a wallaby, which is a small kangaroo, hopping around Chavies, Kentucky. The owner of the kangaroo spotted last year hopping around Pierson, Florida, a city located in the northeastern part of the state, received almost $1,000 in fines and costs during a hearing Wednesday afternoon. Scott Mitchell pleaded no contest to one count of possession of captive wildlife for commercial or sanctuary purposes without a permit. Mitchell's attorney, Carlos Vidal-Collazo, said he reached an agreement with the State Attorney's Office to issue his client a $400 fine, as well as have him donate $250 to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Wildlife Alert, and pay approximately $320 for investigation costs. As part of the deal, prosecutors dropped two other counts Mitchell was facing related to 'violation of Florida administrative codes pertaining to wildlife as personal pets,' according to court documents. Previous coverage: Escaped kangaroo captured after 3-week search in Volusia County; owner faces citations Mitchell has 90 days to pay his fines and present proof of the donation. Volusia County Judge Joseph LeDonne accepted the agreement. Did they find the kangaroo in Florida? In October 2024, pictures of a loose kangaroo hopping around in Pierson started making the rounds on social media. Even Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood chimed in, saying the animal had 'escaped due to a bear entering its enclosure." About three weeks later, FWC officials confirmed the kangaroo had been located and returned to his owner. FWC spokesperson Kristen Turner wrote in an email to The News-Journal that Mitchell was cited for having an expired "Class III license" for the animal. According to court documents, his license expired July 30, 2023, and Mitchell had not renewed it as of Oct. 22, 2024. According to Turner, who believed the kangaroo's name was Roo, Mitchell failed "to notify FWC/report the escape within 12 hours" of the animal going missing and was cited for 'improper caging.' According to court documents, Mitchell said he called the main captive wildlife office on the day of the incident, Oct. 17, 'but it was after business hours and no one answered.' Reached by The News-Journal on Oct. 23 last year, a few days after the incident, Mitchell declined to comment on the matter and told the reporter not to call back. Are kangaroos legal in Florida? Yes. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a kangaroo could be classified as a Class III wildlife species, which would require the owner to apply for a permit to keep the animal. A permit, if granted, lasts two years and there is no required fee, according to the FWC website.
