Florida cuts number of bear hunt permits to be issued

A commission spokeswoman didn’t give an explanation for the decrease

by News Service of Florida September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

After saying last month that it would issue 187 permits, the commission has reduced that number to 172, according to its website.

News

Florida could clear the way for the first bear hunt in a decade

The 2015 hunt ended after two days, when 305 bears were killed in what was expected to be a weeklong endeavor

by Jim Turner News Service of Florida July 25, 2025August 30, 2025

News

Florida’s environmental protection department wants to halt ruling requiring manatee protections

The motion raised a series of issues, including targeting the moratorium on new septic tanks

by Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida June 3, 2025July 12, 2025

News

Proposal for first Florida bear hunt in a decade advances amid pushback

‘The data that you are using for a data-based decision is over 10 years old,’ one critic said

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix May 22, 2025August 4, 2025

News

After ruling Florida violated Endangered Species Act, judge orders new protections for manatees

While the state has appealed the ruling, U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza issued a permanent injunction designed to carry out his decision

by Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida May 20, 2025July 26, 2025

News

Photos: Florida wildlife officials rescue 10-foot alligator stuck in storm drain

by Colin Wolf January 20, 2025

News

Reports of planes colliding with wildlife are increasing in Florida

The list of animals hit by airplanes in Florida so far this year reads like a tragic version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’

by Julia Rogers, Fresh Take Florida December 13, 2024August 2, 2025

News

Federal judge refuses to toss lawsuit alleging Florida failed to prevent sewage dumps that led to manatee deaths

Florida had a record 1,100 manatee deaths in 2021, with the largest number, 358, in Brevard County, the focus of the lawsuit

by Jim Saunders, News Service of Florida September 23, 2024June 27, 2025

News

Environmental groups urge DeSantis to veto Florida bill that allows killing bears in self defense

‘When you run into one of these crack bears, you should be able to shoot it, period,’ the bill’s sponsor said

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix June 12, 2024April 30, 2025

News

‘Real life Pokemon battle’: Video shows bear fighting off two large alligators in Central Florida

‘When he got out, he just seemed kind of annoyed’

by Colin Wolf June 6, 2024February 12, 2025

News

Florida officials remove 10-foot alligator from homeowner’s pool

Finding a scaly intruder in the pool isn’t that uncommon, especially this time of year

by Colin Wolf May 21, 2024May 23, 2025

News

Threatened eastern indigo snakes released in Florida preserve in effort to restore state ecosystem

The release, a longtime goal of federal and state officials, is part of an effort to restore some balance to Florida’s ecosystem lost in the 1980s

by Jim Turner News Service of Florida May 1, 2024June 2, 2025

News

Florida officials report more than 33% spike in wildlife calls as state population expands

The discussion comes as legislation awaits action by DeSantis that would bolster self-defense arguments for people who kill bears on their property

by Jim Turner News Service of Florida April 30, 2024November 29, 2024

News

Florida manatee deaths decreased by nearly half in 2023

The total was down from 1,100 deaths in 2021 and 800 in 2022

by News Service of Florida January 29, 2024May 11, 2024

Orlando Guides

Book review: ‘Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades,’ by Rebecca Renner

Renner is a natural storyteller, and she does superlative service to wild Florida

by Jessica Bryce Young November 22, 2023August 1, 2025

News

Florida wildlife officials are working to help county ‘overrun’ by bears

‘We are currently working to increase our surveillance response, that includes setting traps.’

by News Service of Florida October 4, 2023May 13, 2025

News

‘Don’t call us’: Law enforcement asks beachgoers to stop snitching on horny manatees in Tampa Bay

‘We can assure you they are more than fine.’

by Colin Wolf July 31, 2023March 3, 2025

News

Florida won’t hold a bear hunt this year, officials confirm

Concerns that discussion of a hunt might be on the agenda drew animal rights advocates to the commission’s meeting Thursday

by News Service of Florida July 21, 2023July 8, 2025

Food + Drink

Central Florida spring temporarily closed after alligator bites snorkeler

July is peak alligator nesting season, folks

by Colin Wolf July 18, 2023August 25, 2024

News

Young Florida man charged with animal cruelty for using baby gator to shotgun a Twisted Tea

This isn’t even the first time we’ve written about this

by Jessica Bryce Young June 29, 2023August 5, 2025