wildlife

Florida Bears Celebrate: There Will Be No Hunt This Year, Wildlife Commission Narrowly Rules

FlaglerLive | June 23, 2016

After hours of objections from animal-rights advocates and support from hunters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 late Wednesday against a staff recommendation to hold a hunt in October that could have been smaller — in terms of permits and hunting grounds — than the 2015 event in which 304 bears were killed over two days.

Volusia County Wants Out Of the Next Bear Hunt

FlaglerLive | May 5, 2016

The Volusia County Council on Thursday unanimously approved a “symbolic” resolution urging the commission to reinstate a prohibition on hunting Florida black bears.

Seek Cover, Teddy: 3,500 Hunters Take Guns and Bows to Bears Across Florida

FlaglerLive | October 24, 2015

The hunt, which includes Flagler County, limits each permit holder to killing a single bear weighing at least 100 pounds and won’t exceed the overall 320 bears targeted for what the commission calls a “harvest.”

Split Florida Conservation Commission Approves Letting Hunters Kill 10% of Bear Population in 4 Regions

FlaglerLive | September 2, 2015

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission cleared the killing of at least 320 black bears for two to seven days in October, the first bear-hunting season in two decades.

Permitted Hunters Outnumber Florida Black Bears 6-to-1 as Killing Season Nears

FlaglerLive | August 24, 2015

Florida’s October hunt has drawn almost 1,800 hunters against a black bear quota of 320, in parts of the state where the killing will be allowed.

You May Soon Shoot Black Bears: FWC Will Set One Week in October For Hunting

FlaglerLive | April 16, 2015

Hunting up to 200 black bears in Flagler and other parts of Florida would be allowed as part of a management plan as the state’s bear population of 2,500 is in increasing contact with its human population of nearly 20 million.

Manatees No Longer Endangered? Not So Fast.

FlaglerLive | August 15, 2014

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering downlisting manatees from endangered to threatened, reducing their protective status. Save the Manatee Club’s Katie Tripp argues the proposal rests on too scanty data.

Jacksonville Zoo Mourns Loss of 1-Day Old Gorilla Born to First-Time Mother Madini

FlaglerLive | March 28, 2014

It is with great sadness that Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announces the passing of a gorilla infant born Thursday night (March 27). The infant was born to first-time mother, Madini, and first-time father, Lash.

A Florida Panther Struck By a Car Last May Is Returned to the Wild After 10-Month Rehab

FlaglerLive | March 10, 2014

The 9-month-old kitten was panther was rescued in Collier County last May after a homeowner saw it drag her hind leg. She went through two surgeries and rehabilitated in a 10-acre enclosure before she was released back into the wild on March 10 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Jacksonville Zoo Announces Birth of Two Amur Leopards, a Critically Endangered Species

FlaglerLive | December 2, 2013

There are only three dozen or so Amur leopards living in the wild, and as such they may be the most endangered big cats in the world. The first cub was born at the Jacksonville zoo at about 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. The second followed at 11:15 a.m. They have not yet been named.

Record 769 Manatee Deaths So Far This Year Represent 15% of Endangered Population

FlaglerLive | October 31, 2013

With two months to go in the year, 769 manatee deaths have bee recorded in Florida waters, breaking the previous record of 766 set in 2010. Deaths are blamed mostly on a red tide bloom that started in southwest Florida in September 2012 and that only recently dissipated. Four manatees have died in Flagler so far this year.

Fish and Wildlife Asking Public to Report Sightings of 3 Rare Snake Species

FlaglerLive | August 14, 2013

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists are asking the public to report sightings of three rare snake species–Florida pine snake, southern hognose snake and short-tailed snake–to help with research.

Lawmakers Object As Florida Fish and Wildlife Prepares to Ban All Deer and Elk Imports

FlaglerLive | June 12, 2013

But lawmakers are joining some of Florida’s deer farmers in expressing concern that a growing industry will be harmed if a measure goes in effect imposing a blanket prohibition on the importation of live deer and elk to reduce the chance that potentially fatal Chronic Wasting Disease.

When Deputies Shoot Animals: An Explanation from the Flagler Sheriff’s Office

FlaglerLive | April 15, 2013

Responding to a citizen’s concerns, Commander Paul Bovino of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office explains why deputies sometimes shoot animals that are reported sick or injured, and why they don’t take them away in their patrol cruisers.

Dear Sheriff Manfre: Why Are Deputies So Quick to Shoot Animals–and Leave Them?

FlaglerLive | April 11, 2013

A sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a raccoon found to be sickly in Palm Coast’s R-Section this morning, leaving it in a lot, triggering a letter of concern from a resident to Sheriff Manfre about a routine practice among local law enforcement in the disposition of ailing animals.

A Rare, 26-Foot Right Whale Is Discovered Dead Just South of Varn Park

FlaglerLive | December 19, 2012

A 26-foot right whale that had been dead more than a day was discovered south of Varn Park Wednesday morning. Federal and state authorities will conduct a necropsy before attempting to bury the whale in place.

Free Morgan: A Killer Whale’s Punishing Captivity Gets Its Day in Court

FlaglerLive | October 28, 2012

In June 2010, Morgan, an orca, or killer whale, was captured from the North Atlantic and rehabilitated, but instead of being returned to the wild, was sent to an amusement park. A judge may decide its fate on Nov. 1.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Charts Next Steps For Expanded Panther Population and Range

FlaglerLive | September 9, 2012

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), working in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, plans to document where panthers are roaming beyond south Florida and develop the best practices to help people and panthers coexist.

Return of the Sea Turtles: Flagler’s First Sighting Renews a Million-Year Ritual

FlaglerLive | April 28, 2012

The first sea turtle to scout for a nest on a Flagler beach did so Tuesday, renewing a ritual going back 200 million years. She scouted Columnist Frank Gromling’s beach backyard for her nursery. A report from the sands.