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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
3-month-old endangered Florida predators — likely littermates — are found killed
Two rare Florida panther kittens that appear to be siblings were killed together by vehicle strikes outside a Naples subdivision. The pair of panthers, both 3.5-month-old females, were found dead on Davis Road the morning of Sunday, Aug. 10, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC biologists said the two were killed at approximately the same time. 'Given that fact, and that they are estimated to be the same age, it makes sense that they are likely from the same litter,' lead panther biologist Dave Onorato told McClatchy News. One was found dead in the eastbound lanes of the six-lane road, and the other was found dead in the westbound lanes. They were killed just south of the Naples Heritage Golf & Country Club and another residential community on Madison Park Boulevard. Vehicle strikes are the leading cause of death of the endangered Florida panther, accounting for nearly 60% of fatalities, according to the FWC. Of the 12 panther deaths that have been documented this year, 11 have been from vehicle collisions, records show. 'As the state grows, suitable habitat for panthers and other wildlife shrinks,' biologists said. 'Florida panthers normally live in remote, undeveloped areas. But as both the number of panthers and the number of people living and recreating in Florida grows, so does the chance of an encounter with a panther.' Panthers roam across large territories that are increasingly crisscrossed by roads, with males typically having a home range of about 160 to 200 miles, while females' territory is 60 to 75 miles, experts say. Young panthers in particular are vulnerable to vehicle strikes, data panther kittens that died would likely have still been dependent on their mother for food. 'When they are about 2 months old, kittens begin to accompany their mother on hunting forays,' according to FWC biologists. 'At first she hides them nearby while she hunts. After a kill, she leads them to the site where they all feed.' While panthers may prefer remote wilderness, the location of these deaths shows the animals live near urban areas as well. The FWC recommends if you see a panther, give them space, face the animal, try to appear larger and don't run. To report an injured or dead panther, call the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly 300 queen conchs found after illegal harvest in Florida Keys
KEY WEST, Fla. - Florida wildlife officials are investigating what they say is the illegal harvest of nearly 300 queen conchs from waters off the Florida Keys, and they are asking the public for help in identifying those responsible. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they were recently alerted to the discovery of hundreds of empty snail shells at a rental property near Key West. Investigators believe the conchs were illegally harvested for their meat sometime between July 7 and July 10, but the responsible party has still not been located. The agency has not released the identity of any suspects and said that the queen conchs are protected under Florida law because of declining populations caused by overharvesting and habitat destruction. Biologists say queen conchs are bottom dwellers that feed on algae in seagrass beds and play an important role in the natural ecosystem. NOAA Fisheries reports the species can grow up to 12 inches long and live for as many as 30 years. Biologists Rescue Endangered Sawfish In Florida Keys As Race To Save Species Underway The marine snails are found throughout the Caribbean Sea, around the Florida Keys and near Bermuda. Although queen conch meat is considered a delicacy and is featured in some seafood restaurants, their supply comes from farms in the Caribbean and Bahamas, not Florida waters. Through aquaculture, harvesters raise larvae in hatcheries and release them once they grow larger or continue raising them in enclosed environments. In Florida, harvesting queen conchs from the wild is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by fines and possible jail time. See The Massive Alligator Found Lurking In A South Florida Swamp FWC officials are seeking eyewitness accounts from anyone who may have observed suspicious activity or have video of the property or surrounding waters that could help identify suspects. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or submit an anonymous tip through the agency's online system. The case is one of the largest in recent memory, with most illegal harvest cases involving only a few dozen of the article source: Nearly 300 queen conchs found after illegal harvest in Florida Keys
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
South Florida showers may prompt more gator and snake sightings, officials warn
Rainfall totals on Monday matched forecasts of 1 to 3 inches across South Florida. And while the region avoided major flooding, the soggy conditions could still stir up some unexpected wildlife — namely, alligators and snakes. CBS Miami reports these animals are often displaced by rising water and may be spotted in neighborhoods, parks, or even roadways, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Although the FWC has not issued a new advisory tied specifically to Monday's storms, the agency has previously warned: 'Alligators and snakes might be observed more frequently after a major storm event, especially in areas with flooding. Keep them at a distance and give them space.' Wildlife may follow the water The FWC reminds residents not to feed or approach wild animals under any circumstances. Even animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned may not be. 'Rarely are animals actually orphaned; a parent could be searching for food or observing its young from a distance,' the agency said in the prior release. For injured wildlife, residents are encouraged to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A list by county is available at under 'How You Can Conserve' → 'Living with Wildlife' → 'Injured and Orphaned Wildlife.' Manatees and nuisance gators Manatees may also become stranded during rough weather. 'If you encounter a stranded, injured or dead manatee, do not attempt to handle it on your own,' the FWC call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. If an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). The FWC will dispatch a licensed trapper if needed.
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
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wild monkey spotted on family's Lake County farm: 'What in the world?'
The Brief A Lake County family spotted a monkey walking along their fence, and it was caught on camera. The residents had never seen a monkey on their farm before. FWC says wild monkeys are not native to Florida and advises people to keep a safe distance. ALTOONA, Fla. - A Lake County family caught some monkey business on their property Sunday morning around 10 a.m. To their surprise, a monkey walked across their fence line, something they had never seen before on their farm in Altoona. What they're saying Kellie Wheeler was shocked when she first saw the monkey on their surveillance camera. "At first I was like, what in the world is this?" said Wheeler. "I froze the frame and we zoomed in and I was like, oh my gosh, that's like finger-like feet and a monkey's profile. So we were kind of shocked that I had a random monkey walking down my fence line." "A hundred percent it is possible because it's not that far from Silver Springs, but just actually seeing it on the fence line, like we'll see owls, we'll see hawks, we will see lizards, like butterflies that go through the cameras to set it off, but never a monkey. And at first I thought it was like a skinny cat until, you know, we zoomed in and it was not a cat," she added. Big picture view Wild monkeys, including rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta), are not native to Florida and may have negative impacts on native wildlife, ecosystems and agriculture. They can also carry diseases that can potentially be spread to humans to include rabies and herpes B. If you encounter wild monkeys in Florida, it is important to keep a safe distance and never feed wild monkeys. You can report monkeys approaching people and acting aggressively to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). The Source This story was written based on information shared through interviews as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
