Podcasts about wildlife conservation commission

Lionfish are an invasive species in Florida. They arrived in our waters as early as the 1980s and efforts to control the population are ongoing. Lionfish eat just about every creature they see in the sea, and can devastate ecosystems. Destin is holding a Lionfish Festival this weekend (17-18) to encourage people to catch the weird-looking fish and make a meal out of it. We speak with Tony Hart, Lionfish Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials are again pursuing a black bear hunt for the state. Citizens don't want it, and the last one was a disaster. Read Craig's column and send your comment to state officials in opposition.The Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is Florida's oldest bar. Thea Seagraves from the Amelia Island Museum of History joins us to discuss.Every week, "Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our "Florida Conservation Newsletter." For only $5 per month, you too can receive our roundup of the most important environmental news headlines from across Florida and the national stories impacting our state.

Officer Tolson was there and they were waiting on someone from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission when the pizza lady showed up and didn't know the gator was under the car. STORY: https://www.wdjx.com/cop-delivers-a-pizza-due-to-an-alligator-under-the-homeowners-car/

Steve Nesbitt–a retired Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wildlife biologist, who over a FWC stint of some 35 years, developed a reputation for extensive knowledge about a slew of species—recalls his interest in birds was cultivated as a kid by his grandfather, a passionate birder. Nesbitt elaborates, noting that his childhood was marked by […] The post Steve Nesbitt, retired FWC wildlife biologist first appeared on Talking Animals.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, once the temperature dips below 50 iguanas enter a sluggish state. But does it kill them?

The fall and early winter have been active with multiple rounds of rain and mountain snow in the West. While this has helped to alleviate any drought conditions and boosted the snowpack, the ground is becoming saturated. AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the continued precipitation will increase the risk of flooding and mudslides. With Christmas this week, more people will be traveling by plane, train and automobile. The repeated rounds of rain and snow are likely to cause people to drive more slowly and also delay airport travel. Travel conditions could begin to deteriorate as early as Monday in cities such as Seattle and Portland. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr said, "travelers immediately ahead of the Christmas holiday will have to contend with wet roads along much of the West coast, from the Canadian border to California.” Also, authorities in Florida are urging residents to steer clear of wild monkeys roaming the state. In a Facebook post on Dec 16, the Orange City Police Department warned people not to feed monkeys after numerous sightings have been reported. Authorities say they've received multiple recent reports of monkey sightings in Orange City, approximately 30 miles north of Orlando. Similar sightings have been noted in nearby Deltona and DeBary. Officials are advising locals not to feed the monkeys and are requesting that any sightings be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Contact Information: Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922) Submit a Tip: MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings discuss Hosea 9 and the consequences of participating in imperial rebellion against the Lord.1994 Minister's Manual (HarperCollins, 1993). Series by Roger Lovette (Preaching from Hosea: A Gospel for Broken Things). Edited by James W. CoxBEMA 362: Isaiah — Prophetic PathosHyacinth — WikipediaWater Hyacinth — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

In this episode, Brett sat down with his friend and fellow Southwest Florida Water Management District alum, Eric Sutton. Before his current role, Eric has spent his entire career in public service. He's worked for Sarasota County; the water management district where he and Brett met; and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where he would eventually get to serve as the organization's Executive Director. He's currently a Vice-President with Garcia Land Management and Environmental Services. They discuss his family's deep roots in rural Western Kentucky; a childhood spent outdoors; how he changed paths at the University of South Florida and wound up working in the natural sciences; his desire to learn, improve, and take on new challenges; his management philosophy as his responsibilities grew; the love he had for his staff, board, and organization – and when he knew it was time to move on; his new role with Garcia and the challenges of working in the private sector; and a flirtation with the “RV Life”. They also share a glass of whiskey from the Green River Distillery, an historic institution in Owensboro, Kentucky, near walking distance from his childhood hometown of Henderson. Did we mention that Eric is a long-time musician and jingle writer, and a one-time professional elephant washer (we mean, zoologist) at Busch Gardens as well? Well, he is. Special Note: To our fellow Floridians (and even to our listeners and readers in Georgia and North Carolina) who are recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, our hearts are with you, and we won't forget you in the hard months to come. The Florida Specifier/Water for Fighting team is pulling for you and hoping for a safe and speedy recovery for your families and communities. If you'd like to share your story with us, we'd love to hear from you. Just reach out to Brett at flwaterpod@gmail.com or Patrick Gillespie at PatrickGillespie@floridaspecifier.com. To visit the Garcia Land Management and Environmental Services website, go here. To check out the Green River distillery, go here. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) RES is the nation's leader in ecological restoration, helping to restore Florida's natural resources with water quality and stormwater solutions that offer communities guaranteed performance and outcomes. Check them out at www.res.us This episode is also brought to you by our friends at Sea and Shoreline. Sea and Shoreline is the Southeast's leading innovator in protecting coastal communities from devastating storms and restoring ecosystems that once faced ecological collapse. Visit their website at www.Seaandshoreline.com. Water for Fighting is part of the Specifier media family – Florida's home for environmental news, discussion, and personalities. Please be sure to check out the Florida Specifier Podcast hosted by Ryan Matthews and Brett as part of the environmental news and discussion brought to you by the Florida Specifier. To learn more about our flagship print publication, weekly newsletter and more, visit The Florida Specifier. You can follow the show on LinkedIn and Instagram @flwaterpod, and you can reach us directly at FLwaterpod@gmail.com with your comments and suggestions for who Brett should be talking with next. Production of this podcast is by Lonely Fox Studios. Thanks to Karl Sorne for making the best of what he had to work with. And to David Barfield for the amazing graphics and technical assistance. And finally, a very special thank you goes out to Bo Spring from the Bo Spring Band for giving permission to use his music for this podcast. The song is called Doing Work for Free, and you should check out the band live, or wherever great music is sold.

It is after midnight when the windshield fogs up on Thomas Aycock's pickup truck. He smiles as he slowly drives through the sawgrass and down dirt roads deep in the Florida Everglades. 午夜过后，托马斯·艾科克的皮卡车的挡风玻璃起雾。 他微笑着慢慢开车穿过锯齿草，沿着佛罗里达大沼泽地深处的土路行驶。 His foggy windshield confirms what he knows. When the dew point drops in the middle of the night, it is perfect time for pythons. 他雾蒙蒙的挡风玻璃证实了他所知道的。 当半夜露点下降时，正是蟒蛇出没的最佳时间。 “I catch more pythons when that happens,” Aycock said. The retired U.S. Army veteran always takes part in the Florida Python Challenge. The wildlife commission runs the 10-day event. The aim is to get people interested in finding and catching the snakes.“当这种情况发生时，我会捕获更多的蟒蛇，”艾科克说。 这位退役美国陆军老兵总是参加佛罗里达蟒蛇挑战赛。 野生动物委员会负责举办为期 10 天的活动。 目的是让人们对寻找和捕捉蛇感兴趣。 There is a reason for the timing of the event. Pythons usually hatch from their eggs each August before finding their way into the swamp. 事件发生的时间是有原因的。 蟒蛇通常在每年八月从卵中孵化出来，然后进入沼泽。 Aycock works for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He has hunted Burmese pythons in the Everglades for 11 years. Aycok loves snakes. And he loves preserving the Everglades. He understands the “greater ecological issue with these pythons.” 艾科克在佛罗里达州鱼类和野生动物保护委员会工作。 他在大沼泽地猎杀缅甸蟒蛇已经有11年了。 艾科克喜欢蛇。 他喜欢保护大沼泽地。 他了解“这些蟒蛇带来的更大的生态问题”。 The invasive Burmese pythons are doing very well in Florida's preserved wetlands. Pythons have no natural predators. And they are threatening Florida's native snakes and mammals. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates tens of thousands live in South Florida. 入侵的缅甸蟒蛇在佛罗里达州受保护的湿地中生存得很好。 蟒蛇没有天敌。 它们正在威胁佛罗里达州的本土蛇和哺乳动物。 美国地质调查局 (USGS) 估计有数万人居住在南佛罗里达州。 The snakes are destroying local wildlife. In one 2012 study, the USGS found that populations of raccoons had declined by 99.3 percent, opossums by 98.9 percent and bobcats by 87.5 percent since the early 2000s. Controlling this hungry snake, scientists say, is a critical goal. 这些蛇正在摧毁当地的野生动物。 美国地质调查局 2012 年的一项研究发现，自 2000 年代初以来，浣熊的数量减少了 99.3%，负鼠减少了 98.9%，山猫的数量减少了 87.5%。 科学家说，控制这条饥饿的蛇是一个关键目标。More than 600 hunters took part in this year's challenge. Their goal is to beat last year's top total of 209 pythons killed. The hunter who kills the most wins $10,000. 超过 600 名猎人参加了今年的挑战。 他们的目标是打破去年杀死 209 条蟒蛇的最高记录。 杀死最多的猎人将赢得 10,000 美元。 The competition is designed to create understanding about Florida's python problem. It has succeeded in doing that. The event has drawn famous people and has led to some reality television shows. 该竞赛旨在加深人们对佛罗里达州蟒蛇问题的了解。 它已经成功地做到了这一点。 该活动吸引了名人，并引发了一些电视真人秀节目。 But the need for python control remains urgent.但对蟒蛇控制的需求仍然迫切。 Since 2017, Florida has been paying about 100 contractors to catch the snakes year-round. 自 2017 年以来，佛罗里达州一直向约 100 名承包商支付费用，让他们全年捕捉蛇。

Ever wondered what makes Florida manatees so fascinating? On this episode of Protect Species, we promise you'll gain incredible insights into these gentle giants and the crucial conservation efforts that keep them safe. Join Monni Böhm and Justin Birkhoff, as we share a lighthearted chat about the surprising similarities between manatees and humans, before diving into an engaging conversation with our esteemed guests, Craig Miller from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and Nadia Lentz from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Hear Nadia's inspiring journey from zoo work to becoming an assistant research scientist, and Craig's dedication to overseeing the manatee critical care facility.Discover the origins of a remarkable manatee rescue and rehabilitation initiative that started at a northern Florida zoo in 2006 and has grown significantly since then. Learn about the establishment of a critical care facility in 2017 and the essential role of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership in collaboration with the FWC. We'll explore the biology and challenges faced by manatees—such as their need for warm water and susceptibility to cold stress—and the teamwork and equipment involved in their rescues.Our conversation also delves into ongoing efforts to mitigate the impacts of harmful chemicals on manatees, particularly in Duval County. We discuss current initiatives like replanting and upgrading septic systems to city sewers, and highlight ethical and sustainable spots to view manatees, like Crystal River and Blue Spring. Aspiring wildlife conservationists will find valuable advice on volunteering, interning, and pursuing specialized education programs. Links: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionJacksonville Zoo and Gardens Jacksonville Manatee Rescue and Rehab National Wildlife Federation - Manatees

This episode begins by discussing Craig's most recent "Flamingo" magazine article about the Florida State Park system.Our guest is Lauren Ali, Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail coordinator. The Trail is a project of the FWC - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Local 10 News Anchor Janine Stanwood interviews Evan Power, the Florida Republican Party chair; U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee; Christina White, the Miami-Dade County supervisor of elections; and Officer George Reynaud, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, during This Week In South Florida. Attorneys Ed Pozzouli and Marlon Hill join the Roundtable.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In shallow water not far from the Florida Keys' famed Seven Mile Bridge, a herd of the state's flamboyantly pink queen conchs is struggling to survive.Warming seas and wild swings in temperature have shut down their reproductive impulses in the waist-deep water, leaving them to creep along the ocean floor, searching for food but not love. Meanwhile, just a few miles away in deeper, cooler waters, the iconic mollusks mate freely. So scientists have a rescue plan: load the inshore conchs into milk crates, ferry them to colonies in deep water, and let nature run its course.As climate change fastracks ocean warming, the researchers hope their plan hatches enough baby conchs to help boost the flagging population.“Once you put them in a more appropriate temperature regime, snails have a remarkable capability to heal themselves,” says Dr. Gabriel Delgado, a conch scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who is leading the pilot project. “Now you have a contributing member to future populations.”To read the rest of this article (plus see stunning images of conchs!) visit our website.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Three people, including one child, were airlifted to hospitals on the Florida mainland after a boat crashed into a bridge in the Florida Keys in the early hours of Monday, officials said. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were six adults and two children on board the Contender fishing boat whenAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bay scallop season is starting in Pasco County Wednesday (10th). It runs till August 18th. We speak with Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission marine biologist Nancy Sheridan about how to scallop by the rules. 

Andrew Lewin discusses the recent ban on intentional balloon releases in Florida. While highlighting the positive step for environmental protection, he also delves into the nuances of the ban. Despite a brief episode due to holiday celebrations, Andrew emphasizes the importance of speaking up for the ocean and taking action for a better marine ecosystem. Link to article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2024/06/25/balloon-release-ban-florida-desantis/74202568007/ Follow a career in conservation: https://www.conservation-careers.com/online-training/ Use the code SUFB to get 33% off courses and the careers program.   Do you want to join my Ocean Community? Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp   Sign up for our Newsletter: http://www.speakupforblue.com/newsletter   Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube Florida's recent passing of a bill to ban the intentional release of balloons marks a significant step towards protecting the environment, particularly ocean wildlife. The bill, known as House Bill 321, aims to prevent the harmful impact of released balloons on marine life. Balloons, when released, often end up in the ocean, where they pose a serious threat to marine animals like sea turtles and birds. The ban on intentional balloon releases in Florida is part of a larger movement seen in several states across the US, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia. These states have either passed or proposed legislation to limit or ban balloon releases outdoors. The detrimental effects of balloons on wildlife have prompted these proactive measures to safeguard the environment. The bill in Florida classifies the intentional release of balloons inflated with gas lighter than air as littering. This classification emphasizes the environmental impact of releasing balloons, especially those filled with helium. Oceana, a nonprofit conservation organization, has supported the bill, highlighting its importance in protecting Florida's coastlines and ocean wildlife from preventable harm. The legislation also introduces penalties for those who intentionally release balloons, with fines ranging from $150 to $1,000, depending on the weight of the balloons. While there are exemptions for biodegradable balloons made of natural latex, the bill removes previous exemptions for balloons deemed biodegradable or photodegradable by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The bill's emphasis on promoting greener alternatives to balloon releases, such as bubbles, kites, planting trees, or creating memorial gardens, underscores the importance of responsible environmental practices. By encouraging eco-friendly celebrations, the legislation aims to raise awareness about the impact of balloon releases on wildlife and ecosystems. Overall, Florida's ban on intentional balloon releases reflects a growing awareness of the need to protect the environment and marine life from plastic pollution. The legislation serves as a crucial step towards fostering a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to celebrations and events, ultimately contributing to the preservation of ocean ecosystems and wildlife. The new law in Florida regarding the intentional release of balloons is a significant step towards protecting the environment, particularly ocean wildlife. The law classifies the intentional release of balloons inflated with gas lighter than air as littering. This means that releasing balloons filled with helium or other lighter-than-air gases is now considered a violation, subject to fines. The fines for violating this law can range from $150 for regular balloons to up to $1,000 for balloons over 15 pounds. This legislation is a crucial move to prevent the harmful impact of balloons on wildlife, especially marine animals. When balloons are released into the environment, they can end up in bodies of water, where marine animals mistake them for food. Ingesting balloons can lead to serious health issues and even death for these animals. By imposing fines for releasing balloons filled with lighter-than-air gases, Florida aims to reduce the littering of balloons and protect ocean wildlife from preventable harm. The law also highlights the importance of promoting eco-friendly alternatives to balloon releases. Floridians are encouraged to opt for greener choices such as bubbles, kites, planting trees, or creating memorial gardens instead of releasing balloons. These alternatives not only provide a more environmentally friendly way to celebrate but also help in preserving the natural habitats of wildlife. Overall, the new law in Florida signifies a positive step towards environmental conservation and wildlife protection. By addressing the issue of balloon littering and imposing fines for violations, the state is taking proactive measures to safeguard its coastlines and ocean wildlife. This legislation serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior and the need to prioritize the well-being of the environment and its inhabitants. Alternatives to Balloon Releases In the podcast episode, it was highlighted that balloon releases can have detrimental effects on the environment, particularly on wildlife. To combat this issue, the state of Florida has implemented a ban on intentional balloon releases. However, the episode also emphasized the importance of providing alternative, more environmentally friendly options for celebrations and events. One of the key points discussed was the encouragement of using alternatives to balloon releases. Some of the suggested alternatives included bubbles, kites, planting trees, and creating memorial gardens. These alternatives not only provide a similar celebratory effect but also have minimal to no negative impact on the environment. Bubbles: Bubbles are a fun and whimsical alternative to balloons. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, and do not pose a threat to wildlife if accidentally released into the environment. Children and adults alike can enjoy the beauty of bubbles without harming the ecosystem. Kites: Flying kites can be a thrilling and visually appealing activity for celebrations. Kites are reusable, durable, and do not contribute to pollution. They offer a sustainable way to enjoy the outdoors and create memorable moments without endangering wildlife. Planting Trees: Planting trees as a celebratory gesture or in memory of a loved one is a meaningful and eco-friendly alternative to balloon releases. Trees provide numerous environmental benefits, such as oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and habitat for wildlife. This option promotes sustainability and contributes positively to the ecosystem. Creating Memorial Gardens: Establishing memorial gardens can serve as a lasting tribute while also benefiting the environment. These gardens can be dedicated to honoring individuals or events and can include native plants, flowers, and shrubs. Memorial gardens promote biodiversity, attract pollinators, and enhance the beauty of outdoor spaces without generating harmful waste. By promoting these alternatives, individuals and communities can shift towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious practices during celebrations and events. Choosing bubbles, kites, tree planting, or memorial gardens over balloon releases not only reduces plastic pollution but also fosters a deeper connection to nature and promotes conservation efforts.  

To the east of Lake Wales lies Lake Kissimmee...This week we chat with Marty Mann, a biologist from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to learn more about this system and its rich history! Helpful Resources Working in the Weeds ⁠⁠Lakes and Landscapes Episode⁠⁠ FWC What's Happening On My Lake ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ — Working In The Weeds is a podcast by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatics and Invasive Plants⁠⁠⁠⁠. This series connects scientists with stakeholders to clarify and discuss issues surrounding aquatic and invasive plants, while also highlighting the research being conducted at the Center. Do you have topics or questions you would like us to discuss on this podcast? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠caip@ifas.ufl.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more information and resources, visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow UF/IFAS CAIP on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠.

A natural part of living in Florida is sometimes interacting with wild animals — including Florida black bears. Wildlife officers trapped and tranquilized a black bear on Monday near downtown Fort Myers. Bears are pretty wily and mostly move around at night so most people have probably never even seen one, or even know that we have black bears in this part of Florida, let alone wandering through our neighborhoods. We talk with a bear expert with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about bears in Florida, how they behave, and what we can do to minimize neighborhood interactions with them.

In this week's episode, we have Martha Guyas, the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sport Fishing Association, joining me as our special guest. Martha talks about her journey into the world of fishing and shares her experiences working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before transitioning to the American Sport Fishing Association. We dive into some of the biggest challenges Martha faced during her time with the FWC, particularly around Red Snapper, and how her work has significantly impacted the management of this species. We also learn about Martha's role as the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director, where she works on a broad range of issues related to clean waters, abundant fisheries, and access for recreational fishing across the Southeast region of the United States. Martha also shares the incredible news of being designated by the US Department of State to represent the US on the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). We discuss the significance of this role and how Martha will be representing the recreational fishing industry in international discussions and decision-making processes. As we wrap up, Martha and I look forward to the upcoming ICAST event and share our anticipation for exciting new developments and positive changes in the fishing industry. Don't miss out on this engaging and insightful conversation with Martha Guyas, where she sheds light on her impactful work and the future of recreational fishing industry. So grab your fishing rod and tune in to this empowering episode of The Woman Angler and Adventurer podcast! Mentioned in this Episode: American Sportfishing Association ICCAT iCast Adventuress Magazine (use code womanangler for 15% off!) Support our Partners

Bat maternity season begins Tuesday (April 16th), which means some restrictions in the way you can deal with bats that get into your house or business property. We speak with Jayne Johnston, a senior wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, about how to deal with bats during bat baby time. 

Florida Panthers (Puma concolor couguar) are a distinct population of pumas that live predominantly in southwest Florida. Pumas used to roam the entire United States, but habitat loss and overhunting in the 1800's and early 1900's caused them to disappear from much of their range. Every breeding population of pumas East of the Mississippi river vanished, except for one. South Florida, due to its wild and swampy nature, was able to thwart human development just enough for its inhabiting pumas to narrowly avoid oblivion. These surviving pumas, or Florida Panthers, represent the resiliency of wild south Florida. The decades since their near extinction have been filled with controversy, conservation, and politics. This iconic cat still has many challenges to face, and with only 200 or so remaining in the wild, their future is uncertain. Daniel was first introduced unofficially to this animal during his first trip to Everglades National Park in 2017. The Florida Panther and the swampy, remote areas in which they are found captivated Daniel's imagination. Every subsequent trip to the Everglades and southwest Florida had at least some time dedicated to searching for this cat, all to no avail. In January 2024, after spending months preparing and researching, Daniel embarked on a five-day solo trip in the backcountry of the Big Cypress National Preserve, with the sole objective of finally crossing paths with a panther.But what exactly IS a Florida Panther? Are they only found in Florida? Are they black? What is the difference between a Florida Panther and a mountain lion? And of course… do they eat people?! Luckily, Bill was able to meet Daniel in south Florida to record an episode about the Florida Panther and tackle the questions and misconceptions that leave this cat shrouded in mystery. This episode was recorded on January 8th, 2024 at Everglades National Park in Homestead, FL. Episode NotesWhen Daniel was talking about Florida Panther size, they were described as smaller than other pumas out west. It should also be noted that while they do fall to the bottom of the size and weight scale of pumas in North America, the populations of pumas closer to the equatorial rain forests in South America are even smaller. This reinforces the notion discussed in the podcast that pumas in colder climates or higher elevation tend to be larger than pumas in warmer climates and lower elevation. Also, Bill asked Daniel what their life span was, and Daniel was not sure. Bill guessed 20-30 years. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “Panthers can live up to 20 years or more in the wild. Female kittens have a good chance of living 10 years or more. Males have a tougher time, but if they survive to five or six years old, they are likely to live even longer to 10 or more years.” Nicely done Bill!While discussing vehicular collisions as the number one cause of death of Florida Panther, Bill and Daniel discussed how in 2023, 13 Florida Panthers were killed by vehicular strikes. So far in 2024, there have been five. Bill and Daniel referred to the rule about animals being larger the farther you get from the equator, but they couldn't remember the name of the rule. It's Bergmann's Rule, and it's defined as: “one of the best-known generalizations in zoology. It is generally defined as a within-species tendency in homeothermic (warm-blooded) animals to have increasing body size with increasing latitude and decreasing ambient temperature. That is, Bergmann's rule states that among mammals and birds, individuals of a particular species in colder areas tend to have greater body mass than individuals in warmer areas. For instance, white-tailed deer are larger in Canada than in the Florida Keys, and the body size of wood rat populations are inversely correlated with ambient temperature. This principle is named after a nineteenth-century German biologist, Karl Bergmann, who published observations along these lines in 1847.” - from The New World EncyclopediaLinks Panther Pulse, the database containing documented Florida Panther deaths and depredations: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/Path of the Panther: https://pathofthepanther.com Sponsors and Ways to Support UsGumleaf Boots, USA (free shipping for patrons)Thank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes! Support us on Patreon!Check out the Field Guides merch at our Teespring store. It's really a great deal: you get to pay us to turn your body into a billboard for the podcast!Works CitedCaudill, Gretchen & Onorato, Dave & Cunningham, Mark & Caudill, Danny & Leone, Erin & Smith, Lisa & Jansen, Deborah. (2019). Temporal Trends in Florida Panther Food Habits. Human-Wildlife Interactions. 13. 87-97. 10.26076/kta5-cr93.Cox, J. J., Maehr, D. S., & Larkin, J. L. (2006). Florida Panther Habitat Use: New Approach to an Old Problem. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 70(6), 1778–1785. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4128112Frakes RA, Belden RC, Wood BE, James FE (2015) Landscape Analysis of Adult Florida Panther Habitat. PLOS ONE 10(7): e0133044. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0133044Hostetler JA, Onorato DP, Nichols JD, Johnson WE, Roelke ME, O'Brien SJ, Jansen D, Oli MK. Genetic Introgression and the Survival of Florida Panther Kittens. Biol Conserv. 2010 Nov 1;143(11):2789-2796. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2010.07.028. PMID: 21113436; PMCID: PMC2989677.Johnson WE, Onorato DP, Roelke ME, Land ED, Cunningham M, Belden RC, McBride R, Jansen D, Lotz M, Shindle D, Howard J, Wildt DE, Penfold LM, Hostetler JA, Oli MK, O'Brien SJ. Genetic restoration of the Florida panther. Science. 2010 Sep 24;329(5999):1641-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1192891. PMID: 20929847; PMCID: PMC6993177.Land, Darrell & Shindle, David & Kawula, Robert & BENSON, JOHN & LOTZ, MARK & Onorato, Dave. (2010). Florida Panther Habitat Selection Analysis of Concurrent GPS and VHF Telemetry Data. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 72. 633 - 639. 10.2193/2007-136.Maehr, David S. (1997). The Florida Panther: Life and Death of a Vanishing Carnivore. Island Press ISBN 155963507X, 9781559635073Pienaar, Elizabeth & Rubino, Elena. (2016). Habitat Requirements of the Florida Panther. 10.13140/RG.2.1.1887.2722.Robert A. Frakes, Marilyn L. Knight, Location and extent of unoccupied panther (Puma concolor coryi) habitat in Florida: Opportunities for recovery, Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 26, 2021, e01516, ISSN 2351-9894, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01516. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989421000664)Urbanizing Landscape. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 15;10(7):e0131490. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131490. PMID: 26177290; PMCID: PMC4503643.Vickers TW, Sanchez JN, Johnson CK, Morrison SA, Botta R, Smith T, Cohen BS, Huber PR, Ernest HB, Boyce WM. Survival and Mortality of Pumas (Puma concolor) in a Fragmented, Urbanizing Landscape. PLoS One. 2015 Jul 15;10(7):e0131490. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131490. PMID: 26177290; PMCID: PMC4503643.Photo Credithttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Everglades_National_Park_Florida_Panther.jpg?uselang=en#Licensing

Florida black bears have been in the news frequently, this year! On today's episode, we chat about the Florida black bear's diet, behavior, and biology, and provide some tips for co-existing with our resident bears. Learn More: Living with the Florida black bear - https://www.myfwc.com/bear⁠ Where are the large bear populations? - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/bear-management-units/ How You Can Help: Limit attractants in your yard and protect bears from accessing your garbage cans. Be bear aware: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/ Report a sick, injured, orphaned, or dead bear: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/nuisance-contact/ If you live in areas with a lot of bear activity, learn how to "Scare That Bear!" here: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/scare/ Sources for this Episode: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: https://www.myfwc.com/bear⁠⁠ Bears and Apiaries (UF/IFAS): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1318 Living with Black Bears: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/04/24/florida-black-bears/ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here! If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/naturallyflorida/message

Was it simple incompetence or something more sinister which cost Florida the chance to receive millions of dollars in federal funding to apply toward residential solar power.Our guest this week is Rebecca Renner who's new book "Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades" tells the story of an undercover Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sting to catch gator poachers.Rebecca will be featured in this year's Miami Book Fair.Thanks to Windstorm Products for supporting "Welcome to Florida" as well as all of our Patrons at Patreon.com/WelcometoFlorida where there's a new BONUS podcast episode exclusively for patrons where we here from a Florida legend about a Florida legend.

Stealth aka Silent Hunting. We do so chasing big game, learn why it applies to hunting upland game, especially pheasants. News headlines of a self-defense grizzly kill to recent legislation protecting our hunter education in schools. This is Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' and Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt with the radio show The Bend Radio Show & Podcast, your news outlet for the latest in the Outdoors & Western Lifestyle! Episode 155 Details     How many of you are locked and loaded, westward bound for the long awaited elk rifle season? For example, Montana's opens Saturday October 21st and Colorado has already started kicking off it's first season with the second season soon to start while Nebraska will be wrapping up bull elk seasons on October 31st.    We want to be sure to wish everyone the best out there on a successful trip! In our news shortly, we have another grizzly story you'll want to hear and then also for those that are leaving on that long awaited hunting or fishing excursion… we share ideas that Tigger & BEC personally do so that when a spouse or loved one is left behind, they don't feel lonely, avoid the jealousy that could stem and keep everyone part of being part of a memorable trip.   Also on today's show, we have an expert in upland game hunting joining and we are talking about STEALTH pheasant hunting. With all that on deck - Let's Ride and get this show on the Road!      NEWS   HUNTER EDUCATION PROTECTED   According to Outdoor News, President Joe Biden has signed the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, which protects funding for schools that provide hunter education, archery, shooting sports and other programs. The signature comes after both chambers of the U.S. Congress solidly passed the legislation that fixes language from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 that potentially allowed the U.S. Department of Education to pull federal funding from schools that have hunter education, archery and other shooting sports programs.     FLORIDA ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS OUTDOORS       According to WFLA, News Channel 8: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a new initiative that went into effect this week to encourage Floridians to get outside, including discounts to state parks and for obtaining hunting and fishing licenses. The Great Outdoors Initiative was created to encourage residents to explore Florida's state parks, recreation areas, and waterways. The executive order directs the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to offer 50% off annual state park passes and Gold Sportsman's hunting and fishing licenses. The following are the discounted rates that are available until Jan. 13, 2024: Florida State Parks Family Annual Pass: $60, plus tax Florida State Parks Individual Annual Pass: $30, plus tax FWC Annual Gold Sportsman licenses: $50.75, plus applicable fees FWC Five-year Gold Sportsman: $247.75, plus applicable fees FWC Lifetime Sportsman License: Age 4 or younger- $201.50, Ages 5-12- $351.50, Ages 13 and older- $501.50, plus applicable fees “Florida is home to some of the best state parks, waterways and recreational lands in the country, and I encourage all Floridians to get outdoors, experience our extraordinary natural resources and enjoy our fundamental right to hunt and fish,” DeSantis said. “And we are now making it more affordable for families to get outside and enjoy these wonders by offering state park passes and fishing and hunting licenses at sharply discounted rates.” We hope other states look into doing something similar for their residents. To Learn more about the FWC head to MyFWC.com.   IDAHO GRIZZLY KILLED IN SELF-DEFENSE   According to Fox News, An elk hunter in Idaho shot and killed a grizzly bear in self-defense after the animal charged directly at him in a "surprise encounter," wildlife officials said.   The hunter was moving through heavy timber near Henrys Lake State Park the evening of September 30th, 2023, when the large adult female grizzly bear emerged from the brush a short distance away, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) said in a statement. When the hunter, who was not publicly identified, yelled to warn his hunting partner about the bear, the grizzly rushed toward him, according to the department. The hunter drew his sidearm and fired several times as the charging bear closed in on him, striking and killing the animal before it was able to make contact, officials said. After killing the grizzly, the department said the hunter immediately called the Citizens Against Poaching hotline to report the incident. IDFG officers responded and conducted a thorough investigation. It was determined by wildlife officials that the hunter acted in self-defense during a surprise encounter with the bear from a very close distance. Officials are reminding hunters again that grizzly bears are protected under state and federal law, and that the animals may be encountered within the Greater Yellowstone and north Idaho areas. When hunting in grizzly country, the department encouraged visitors to carry bear spray and keep it accessible, hunt with partners, look for signs of grizzly bears and retrieve meat quickly and hang it – along with other food and garbage – at least 10 feet off the ground and 200 yards from camp. Most attacks occur by inadvertently surprising a bear at close range, according to officials, who advised visitors to make noise around creeks and thick vegetation when not hunting.   According to Fox news, This comes after earlier in the month when Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who chairs the Congressional Western Caucus, introduced legislation that would block a federal proposal to release grizzly bears in a forest area in Washington. The legislation would force the Department of Interior to withdraw a proposed rule introduced in September that would involve actively restoring populations of the Grizzly Bears in Washington. We are following this as 2023 is shaping up to be the year of Beware of Bears.   FEATURE STEALTH UPLAND BIRD HUNTING The Do, The Do Not & Did You Know About Pheasants Feature: Rick Acker, Award-Winning Taxidermist, Expert Upland Game Hunter Roughrider Game Birds https://www.facebook.com/roughridergamebirds After opening weekend, pheasant hunting can seem more of a challenge at times after the birds have been chased. That is why it is important to now quiet hunt or stealth hunt upland game birds. If hunting with youth, it is understandable to still communicate the sex of a bird, rooster vs hen. However, if with experienced hunters, to be more successful consider leaving the cheers, yells and talking for once back at the vehicle. STEALTH SILENT HUNTING Pheasants' strongest sense is sound. Quiet is key. Pheasants see color. Dress to blend into surroundings. Do Not be yelling "bird bird" to flush. Do Not be yelling “Rooster” or “Hen” Develop hand signals that all members of your group understand. Train your dog to fully understand the shock collar being worn, so that one does not need to call for your dog. Check your state's regulations for upland game hunting. Some states may require fluorescent orange vests and/or hats. Every year laws can change, so it is very important to know the laws before hitting the field regardless what species one is hoping to hunt or catch. THE BEND FIELD REPORT - HEATHER KROHE SMASHING PUMPKIN RECORD Did you know there is a Guinness World Record for longest distance paddled in a pumpkin? Well there is! And now a new record has smashed the previous pumpkin paddling record done so again on the mighty Missouri River. Here is Bend Field Staffer, Heather Krohe with the details. Steve Kueny grew his 1,293 pound pumpkin, carved it out, and paddled it 38.4 miles down the Missouri River from Kansas City to Napoleon. WAYS TO FLIRT FROM THE FIELD Both pack for the trip, try out the gear together. Compliment the other often, that it's fun to plan the adventure together. Leave notes in unexpected places before leaving. Flirty Text Messages Joke, tease, be playful when texting is possible. Offer to help with small chores or surprise by doing them, goes both ways. Touch affectionately. Give that BIG KISS or HUG before leaving. AND be sure to do the same upon returning, reminding the other of how much they were missed. FIELD REPORTS & COMMENTS Call or Text your questions, or comments to 305-900-BEND or 305-900-2363 Or email BendRadioShow@gmail.com FOLLOW Facebook/Instagram: @thebendshow SUBSCRIBE to The Bend YouTube Channel. Website: TheBendShow.com https://thebendshow.com/ #catchBECifyoucan #tiggerandbec #outdoors #travel #cowboys The Outdoors, Rural America, And Wildlife Conservation are Center-Stage. AND how is that? Because Tigger & BEC… Live This Lifestyle. Learn more about Jeff ‘Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner aka BEC here: TiggerandBEC.com Home - Tigger & BEC WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS Tigger & BEC are News Broadcasters that represent the Working Ranch world, Rodeo, and the Western Way of Life as well as advocate for the Outdoors and Wildlife Conservation. Outdoorsmen themselves, this duo strives to provide the hunter, adventurer, cowboy, cowgirl, rancher and/or successful farmer, and anyone interested in agriculture with the knowledge, education, and tools needed to bring high-quality beef and the wild game harvested to your table for dinner. They understand the importance in sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of our labor and fish from our adventures, and learning to understand the importance of making memories in the outdoors. Appreciate God's Country. United together, this duo offers a glimpse into and speaks about what life truly is like at the end of dirt roads and off the beaten path. Tigger & BEC look forward to hearing from you, answering your questions and sharing in the journey of making your life a success story. Adventure Awaits Around The Bend. REFERENCES https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGameDatesandFees.aspx https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/seasons https://outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/game/elk/ https://www.outdoornews.com/2023/10/16/biden-signs-bipartisan-shooting-education-bill-that-protects-funding-for-hunter-ed-archery-programs/ https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/desantis-announces-50-discounts-for-parks-fishing-licenses-to-encourage-floridians-to-get-outside/ https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/ https://www.foxnews.com/us/idaho-elk-hunter-shoots-kills-charging-grizzly-bear-surprise-encounter-officials https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-republican-takes-action-block-biden-plan-release-deadly-grizzly-bears-near-rural-community

Stone crab claws are big business in Florida, worth an annual $34.4 million, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission—and that's in an industry that works just half the year.Few people understand the ins and outs of stone crabbing better than Kelly Kirk of Goodland. It's a small fishing village in the southeast corner of Marco Island. Kelly and her family run Kirk Fish Company, a seafood processing facility and market that her grandfather Bud Kirk started in the early 1950s. Kelly is also co-director of the Florida Stone Crabbers Association, and she sits on the board of the Everglades Seafood Festival. As she geared up for stone crab season, Kelly took time to chat with Dalia about what you can expect to pay for a pound of stone crab claws, how environmental changes affect Florida's stone crab population and how she prefers to enjoy the delicacy. To learn more about stone crabs, check out Dalia's article in the fall 2023 issue of Forum, the magazine of Florida Humanities.Related episodes:Dive into Florida's Spiny Lobster SeasonConscious Cuisine: How to Choose Sustainable SeafoodHow Key West Lobsterfest Became Florida's Premiere Crustacean Celebration

HOUR 1Writers strike may be coming to an end / (MB) https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2023/09/24/the-writers-strike-could-soon-be-over-after-tentative-deal-reached?Tom memorializes friend Ken Erickson (and longtime; legislative aide) who passed away in late August 2023Attorney Kevin Boden and parents Hannelore and Uwe Romeike, who face deportation 15 years after moving to the U.S. to homeschool their children, join 'Fox & Friends Weekend' to discuss the ordeal. / (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/media/tennessee-family-deportation-15-years-fleeing-germany-homeschool-kids-well-founded-fear(live) U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. overviews his 'announces' his 2024 re-election bid during a press conference at his first public appearance since his indictment last week / (FOX News) The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Sabrina Peckham, 41, was the body found in a waterway in Largo on Friday, when, with the help of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a "13-foot, 8.5-inch male alligator was humanely killed and removed."  /  (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-police-identify-woman-killed-alligator-attack-daughter-describes-unbearable-pain-report"Federal wildland firefighters were on the frontlines of some of the harshest wildfires to hit the U.S. and Canada this summer. But as Congress is inching towards its Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government, those firefighters stand to lose half their salaries." / (NPR) https://www.npr.org/2023/09/25/1201147867/federal-wildland-firefighters-wildfire-forest-service-pay-government-shutdown"So far in 2023, 43,899 wildfires have burned 2,332,108 acres. This is below the 10-year average of 44,575 wildfires and 6,046,153 acres burned." / (NIFC) https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfnHOUR 2Tom overviews the dismal recreational pot statistics in Colorado / https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8672945/#:~:text=Medical%20and%20recreational%20marijuana%20legalization,of%20the%202021%20state%20budgetMark from East Anchorage on cannabis sales and why regulation is necessaryAlaska marijuana industry wants to change the  State's current tax rate on marijuana. / (ANS)  https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/09/23/alaska-marijuana-industry-hopes-tax-relief-will-reduce-black-market-availability/Canning guidelines for game meat / (KTVF) https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com/2023/09/23/guidelines-canning-meat/Behavioral neurologist Dr. Bruce Miller discusses actor Bruce Willis' diagnosis and explains the accompanying symptoms. / (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/bruce-willis-wife-says-hard-know-actor-understands-dementia-diagnosis2022 Incarceration numbers nationally / (PPI) https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2023.htmlAlaska's aging prison population /(ADN) https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2023/09/23/like-a-nursing-home-alaskas-aging-inmate-population/

Joining Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche on the podcast this month are Officer Dixon and Officer Skinner of the Marine Patrol Unit. Learn about the many things their unit is tasked with, like enforcing marine laws and ordinances and investigating boating accidents. Officer Dixon and Officer Skinner also talk about how they assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with derelict vessel investigations and removals. 

In this episode, Colton, Ryan and Sam sit down with Brandon Thompson: the owner of Eazy Livin Studios, member of 24.7 Hunt social media collective, and an Ambassador for Sportsman's Pride. Brandon tells the story of how picking up a bow for the first time five years ago lead to becoming an ambassador for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The crew also talks about some of the harsh terrain of Florida and determining when it is safe for dogs to hunt in. The episode wraps with discussing the quickly growing 24.7 Hunt collective, and how one dove hunt brought Brandon close to the group. Save 10% at Sportsman's Pride (Code: FIELDMASTER): https://bit.ly/3hrobc8 ⬇️ Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! ⬇️ Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3BJxyuV Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3jePfvS Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3uXZiIp Anchor: http://bit.ly/3FDrJAv ⬇️ Follow Us on Social Media! ⬇️ Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TomSrA Instagram: https://bit.ly/3fSU0Kj

In this episode, Brett gets a visit from his friend and President of Sea & Shoreline – Carter Henne. They talk about growing up outdoors and on the water in Polk County; how his desire to create sustainable marine ecosystems drew him first to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and then Sea & Shoreline founder Jim Anderson; the things we've been getting wrong about seagrass restoration in the past and how that's changed; and a look at some of the work he's doing to now to protect coastlines and natural systems that extend far beyond just seagrasses. On a lighter note, they also discuss the importance of securing boat's motor before reaching the middle of a lake as well as the world of competitive underwater bicycle racing (yes, that's a real thing). If you want to hear Carter's alligator stories, you'll have to ask about those in person. To check out the things Carter and the good folks at Sea & Shoreline to make Florida better, visit their website here: https://seaandshoreline.com To check out some stories about the great work Sea & Shoreline are doing to restore manatee habitat in the Crystal River, go here: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/full-circle/saving-our-springs-a-day-with-the-underwater-gardeners-at-sea-and-shoreline and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HscircgSUFU and here: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/gma3/video/rehabilitation-efforts-protect-dying-groups-manatees-98730763 and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwANZ9GOI2Y and here: https://www.chronicleonline.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-l-state-officials-tour-waterways-under-restoration/article_bd29bf3b-bcca-5cf4-9900-c35af44b7d40.html Want to see Carter's team feed manatees? Go here: drive.google.com/file/d/1QmpruTsRWwX8TsejsopOgj0-Hhf6EH5C/view You can also see what the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are doing to restore vital habitat here: https://floridadep.gov/dear/water-quality-restoration/content/impaired-waters-tmdls-and-basin-management-action-plans What is the Southwest Florida Water Management District doing to help this habitat? Plenty – so check out their partnering efforts here: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/swim/crystal-river-kings-bay Please support this episode's sponsor, RES. RES is a national leader in ecological and hydrological restoration, offering nature-based solutions with guaranteed performance through innovative delivery options. Discover more about their work and commitment to Florida and its environmental challenges by visiting www.res.us. Our theme song is “Doing Work For Free”, by Bo Spring Band (Apple Music) (Spotify) (Pandora)

Thanks to David for this week's suggestion, the piranha! Further reading: Florida wildlife officer's fish seizure nibbles at illegal piranha sales How Teddy Roosevelt Turned Piranhas into Ferocious Maneaters The beautiful butterfly peacock bass (not a piranha): The red-bellied piranha (By H. Zell - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82557603): Chompy chompy teeth: Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. This week we're covering a type of fish that I absolutely cannot believe we haven't talked about before. It's the piranha! Thanks to David for telling me on Mastodon about a piranha incident that led to me realizing we don't have an episode about it yet. David's incident is something that happened in Florida in 2009. In October of that year, a 14-year-old boy named Jake was fishing in a retention pond in West Palm Beach, Florida, which he did a lot. He'd caught all kinds of unusual fish in the pond, including a butterfly peacock bass, which is yellow, green, or even orange in color with three black stripes on its back. It can grow well over two feet long, or 74 cm. The peacock bass is native to tropical areas of South America but was deliberately introduced to Florida in 1984 to prey on other invasive species. This actually worked, and because the fish can't survive if the water gets too cold, it can't spread very far. But on this particular October day in 2009, Jake caught a fish that no one wanted to find in Florida, a red-bellied piranha! The teenager took the fish to his dad, who called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A wildlife biologist investigated and caught another piranha in the same pond the following week. That was enough of a problem that wildlife officials decided to poison the entire 4-acre pond rather than risk having piranhas become naturalized in Florida. The poison killed every single fish in the pond, including at least one other piranha, although it was a poison that quickly broke down into nontoxic compounds. The pond was later restocked with bluegills and other native fish. The reason that Florida wildlife officials would rather kill all the fish in a big pond rather than let any piranhas live is that Florida is very similar to the piranha's native habitat in South America. Florida already has enough issues with invasive species like the Burmese python, cane toad, lionfish, and giant land snail without adding another fish that's famous for its sharp teeth and voracious appetite. If the piranha became established in Florida, it could drive all kinds of native fish and other animals to extinction very quickly. This has actually happened in parts of China, where red-bellied piranha were first found in the wild in 1990 and have since spread throughout much of South China. In some waterways, up to half of the native fish have disappeared after piranha and other invasive species became established. But wait, you may be thinking, what about the danger to humans? Aren't piranhas incredibly dangerous to swimmers? The red-bellied piranha is the species that most people think is dangerous to people. We've all heard the stories and maybe seen movies where a pack of piranha attack someone swimming along, and within minutes all that's left of them is a skeleton. But it may not surprise you to learn that those stories are fake, but they're widespread for an unusual reason. Back in 1913, the former U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt, who we talked about in episode 284 about the teddy bear, took part in an expedition to the Amazon basin in South America. The expedition was arranged by the Brazilian government, who invited Roosevelt along. The expedition planned to explore the headwaters of the Amazon and it did, at great peril. Three people died and almost everyone got sick from malaria or some other disease, including Roosevelt,

Maxing out at around 800 pounds and eight feet long, the weight of this fish is comparable to an adult grizzly bear, American bison, or grand piano...and similarly long items include a king-sized bed and surfboard! Fish biologist Derek Cox from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission joins as a guest to help shed light on the true habits of this amazing fish, as well as its complex history and management.

FWC Wild Turkey Management Program Coordinator Buddy Welch discloses details on the previous and on-going research conducted on wild turkeys. Then, discussion of Florida landowner resources, cost-share programs, and habitat characteristics unique to the state that are vital for turkey population. This is Part 2 of this episode. Resources from the episode: FWC Wild Turkey Summer Survey (opens June 1) Florida Wildlife Corridor Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2022 Annual Wild Turkey Hunting Status Report Wild Turkey Cost Share Program Dr. Marcus Lashley (DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (turkeysfortomorrow)  UF DEER Lab (ufdeerlab) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.  Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family.  Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak   

FWC Wild Turkey Management Program Coordinator Buddy Welch discloses details on the previous and on-going research conducted on wild turkeys. Then, discussion of Florida landowner resources, cost-share programs, and habitat characteristics unique to the state that are vital for turkey population. This is Part 2 of this episode.  Resources from the episode: FWC Wild Turkey Summer Survey (opens June 1) Florida Wildlife Corridor Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2022 Annual Wild Turkey Hunting Status Report Wild Turkey Cost Share Program Dr. Marcus Lashley (DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (turkeysfortomorrow)  UF DEER Lab (ufdeerlab) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.  Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family.  Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak  

FWC Wild Turkey Management Program Coordinator Buddy Welch joins us to disclose details on the state's season frameworks, restocking history, and harvest trends. Then, a look into the previous and on-going research studies conducted on wild turkeys across Florida. This is Part 1 of this episode. Resources from the episode: FWC Wild Turkey Summer Survey (opens June 1) Florida Wildlife Corridor Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2022 Annual Wild Turkey Hunting Status Report Wild Turkey Cost Share Program Dr. Marcus Lashley (DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (turkeysfortomorrow)  UF DEER Lab (ufdeerlab) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.  Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family.  Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak  

FWC Wild Turkey Management Program Coordinator Buddy Welch joins us to disclose details on the state's season frameworks, restocking history, and harvest trends. Then, a look into the previous and on-going research studies conducted on wild turkeys across Florida. This is Part 1 of this episode. Resources from the episode: FWC Wild Turkey Summer Survey (opens June 1) Florida Wildlife Corridor Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2022 Annual Wild Turkey Hunting Status Report Wild Turkey Cost Share Program Dr. Marcus Lashley (DrDisturbance) (Academic Profile) Dr. Will Gulsby (dr_will_gulsby) (Academic Profile) Turkeys for Tomorrow (turkeysfortomorrow)  UF DEER Lab (ufdeerlab) Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund  This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org.  Help us help turkeys by rating this podcast and sharing it with your friends and family.  Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak  

Welcome to the Reptiles With Podcast. On this reptile podcast we give our update on FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) and their massacre of numerous snakes. Host: Yoshii: @modernreptileshop Chuck: @MadBioReptiles Tino: @Constantly__tino Production: Eric: @Reptiverse Yoshii's Music: https://linktr.ee/hourglassfl ModernReptileShop.Com Merch:   https://modernreptileshop.com/collections/reptile-merch-for-sale1 (a % of proceeds will be donated to conservation) 00:00 Catch up with your boys 02:00 FWC Massacre Update 10:11 Reptiles With Podcast and   @coldbloodedcaffeine    have partnered up to release the STRONGEST coffee in the reptile game ( Use Code: reptileswith at https://coldbloodedcaffeine.com/products/reptiles-with-coffee-blend?ref=REPTILESWITH ) 10:40 The Bigger Picture 24:51 MERCH! ( https://modernreptileshop.com/collections/reptile-merch-for-sale1 ) 25:06 Listener Comments  35:15 Sponsor: ImperialReptiles.Com ( Use Code: reptileswith at checkout to receive a discount on dry goods orders ) 35:37 Invasive / Non-Native Reptiles in Florida 41:20 Moving Forward  Brian Barczyk Legacy Aquarium GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brian-barczyks-legacy-aquarium Reptile Podcast by Modern Reptile #MODERNREPTILE #REPTILESWITHPODCAST #REPTILESWITH #MODERNREPTILEPODCAST SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST CHANNEL ▶ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaQN1-ZcfQ6ulG2hE41lIKw/videos?view_as=subscriber !!!!!!!!!!CONNECT WITH US!!!!!!!!!! Instagram ▶https://www.instagram.com/modernreptileshop Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/modernreptileshop/modernreptileshop@GMAIL.COM https://modernreptileshop.com/pages/contact-us Reptiles With Podcast by Modern Reptile https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaQN1-ZcfQ6ulG2hE41lIKw/videos?view_as=subscriber --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reptileswith/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reptileswith/support

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came on the show again to discuss the Catch A Florida Memory Program and did not disappoint!  Many states have adopted a program that rewards anglers for their catches, and the benefits are showing!  Not only does the angler get a shout-out, but the teams at FWC get to see what is caught and where to learn about the fisheries throughout Florida.  Jill & Harlen go into great detail about how the program works and the new, more user-friendly system.  On top of that, they explain the life lists, slams, and challenges to win a new Bonafide SS127 kayak possibly!  Lots of great information ahead!  Enjoy. FB: https://www.facebook.com/CatchaFLMemory IG:  https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/catchafloridamemory/YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3BnYuINi5I The episode Is Sponsored By:  Kids Can Fish Foundation: Kids Can Fish is a state and federally-recognized 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.  Their mission is to teach kids fishing fundamentals and, most importantly, HAVE FUN!!  Bait Check: The Sinker Guy: The Bruno & Mortician rig, Sputnik Sinkers, Sinker pouring supplies, and terminal tackle.Bait Check: Ninja Tackle: Ninja Dagger, 7' Travel Rod, Bummy Stick, Akios reels, rigs, bait, and firearm accessories (optics, Glock parts, attachments, and more)  Bait Check:   DS Custom Tackle: Tackle Supply for all anglers.  Floats, rigs, jigs, bait, and moreTheme Song Dirty Rock by TwisteriumMentions:Bonafide KayakYak AttackFL NomadMustad Hooks#findingdemosurffishing #FWC #CatchAFloridaMemory #podcast #learntofish #floridafishing #bonafidekayak #yakattack #FlNomad #mustadhooks #beachfishing #fishing #surffishing #atlanticoceanfishing #gulfofmexicofishing 

Welcome to the Reptiles With Podcast. On this reptile podcast we discuss FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) and their massacre of numerous snakes. Host: Yoshii: @modernreptileshop Chuck: @MadBioReptiles Tino: @Constantly__tino Yoshii's Music: https://linktr.ee/hourglassfl ModernReptileShop.Com Merch:   https://modernreptileshop.com/collections/reptile-merch-for-sale1 (a % of proceeds will be donated to conservation) 00:00 FWC Massacre &  @usarkflorida2970  post 06:59 Reptiles With Podcast and   @coldbloodedcaffeine    have partnered up to release the STRONGEST coffee in the reptile game ( Use Code: reptileswith at https://coldbloodedcaffeine.com/products/reptiles-with-coffee-blend?ref=REPTILESWITH ) 07:26  @MyFWCvideos  Kills 30+ Snakes and Pet Boa 19:37 MERCH! ( https://modernreptileshop.com/collections/reptile-merch-for-sale1 ) 19:52  @Morphmarket  - Ethics and Morality 30:22 Sponsor: ImperialReptiles.Com ( Use Code: reptileswith at checkout to receive a discount on dry goods orders ) 30:44 Listener Topics! Brian Barczyk Legacy Aquarium GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brian-barczyks-legacy-aquarium Reptile Podcast by Modern Reptile #MODERNREPTILE #REPTILESWITHPODCAST #REPTILESWITH #MODERNREPTILEPODCAST SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST CHANNEL ▶ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaQN1-ZcfQ6ulG2hE41lIKw/videos?view_as=subscriber !!!!!!!!!!CONNECT WITH US!!!!!!!!!! Instagram ▶https://www.instagram.com/modernreptileshop Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/modernreptileshop/modernreptileshop@GMAIL.COM https://modernreptileshop.com/pages/contact-us Reptiles With Podcast by Modern Reptile https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaQN1-ZcfQ6ulG2hE41lIKw/videos?view_as=subscriber --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reptileswith/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reptileswith/support

Following the terrible manatee die off in 2021, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to take the drastic measure of supplementing the mammals' diet with human provided lettuce. How is the program working?Speaking of manatee, the reason they're dying is because blue green algae blooms are preventing the seagrass they feed on from receiving sunlight, which is essential for growth. The seagrass beds die off, the manatees lose their food source, and the manatees then starve to death. What's causing those blue green algae blooms, largely, is phosphorus runoff from agriculture in the form of fertilizer and manure. Our guest on this episode, Dan Egan, has a new book out for spring of 2023 entitled "The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World out of Balance." Not only is Florida ground zero for the negative effects of phosphorus, it is also the nation's leading supplier of the mineral."Welcome to Florida" is sponsored by Windstorm Products. Visit windstormproducts.com for hurricane hardware and secure your home or business from the effects of hurricane wind damage.

Better Lawns and Gardens Hour 1 – Coming to you from Summit Responsible Solutions Studios.  Garden expert, Teresa Watkins learns about Florida's Gopher Tortoise Day on April 10th with Dr. Kate Richardson, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. More important than butterfly gardens, Florida residents need to restore gopher tortoises habitat and food resources. Get your yard recognized for being gopher tortoise-friendly! Teresa provides answers and solutions to garden questions on tree cattle, cocktail trees, pruning sago palms, and more. https://bit.ly/3c1f5x7  Get your free Plant Delights Spring catalog! Graphic credit: Teresa Watkins #WFLF #WFLA #FNN #WNDB #WDBO #BetterLawns #gardening #Florida #planting #gardeninglife #radio #southflorida #northflorida #centralflorida #wildflowers #Deland #SHE #Orlando #Sarasota #Miami #FortLauderdale #BLGradio #WRLN #WiOD #gardening #SummitResponsibleSolutions #QualityGreenSpecialists #BlackKow #gophertortoises #keystonespecies 

In this episode, Brett has a conversation with recently retired Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chief of Staff – Jennifer Fitzwater. They discuss how a kid from the Midwest makes her way to law school and a career in resource protection; what it's like to have been the Chief of Staff for two separate state agencies; the difficult and complicated work going into solving challenges like manatee habitat loss and red tide; and what life's been like since she rowed off into the sunset. To learn more about what the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission does, go here: https://myfwc.com To learn more about manatee protection efforts, check here: https://myfwc.com/research/manatee/rescue-mortality-response/ume/ and here: https://www.manateerescue.org To learn more about where Red Tide is appearing and the research to help stop it, head here: https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/ and here: https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/taskforce/ Jennifer also spoke about her concerns regarding Lyme Disease and its potential impact on state workers who spend their days outside. To learn more about the disease and those risks, go here: https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/lyme-disease/index.html and here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213078018300100 Our theme song is “Doing Work For Free”, by Bo Spring Band (Apple Music) (Spotify) (Pandora)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) came on the show and talked through several topics that will answer a few questions.  Emily Abellera- Public Information Specialist & Jill Christoferson- Fisheries Biologist, really brought their A-Game with the answers to the questions, and we had a little fun along the way.  Hopefully, this episode will give you all a little more insight into the organization, and if you have questions, they provided a contact number for you to call.  They want to hear from you!      Do you have questions for FWC?  Call 850-487-4676 Theme Song Dirty Rock by TwisteriumThis episode is sponsored by the Kids Can Fish Foundation: Kids Can Fish is a state and federally recognized 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.  Our mission is to teach kids the fundamentals of fishing and, most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! Bait Check: DS Custom Tackle: Tackle Supply for all anglers.  Floats, rigs, jigs, bait, and moreBait Check: The Sinker Guy: The Bruno & Mortician rig, Sputnik Sinkers, Sinker pouring supplies, and terminal tackle.Bait Check: Ninja Tackle: Ninja Dagger, Bummy Stick, Akios reels, rigs, bait, and firearm accessories (optics, Glock parts, attachments, and more)Mentions:FWCBass Pro ShopCatch a Florida MemoryICASTFish RulesNOAA#findingdemosurffishing #FWC #podcast #learntofish #floridafishing #BassProShop #CatchAFloridaMemory #ICAST #FishRulesApp #NOAA

Charlotte Football Club defender Anton Walkes died early Thursday morning following a boating accident in South Florida, the club announced.Walkes was 25.Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Walkes was operating a vessel on Wednesday around 3 p.m. near the Miami Marine Stadium basin before it made contact with another vessel on the water. Officials said Walkes was found unconscious and transported to shore by Miami Fire Rescue where he received CPR. Walkes died Thursday morning, officials said. It is unclear at this time what type of watercraft Walkes was operating at the time of the crash. “Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met,” Owner David Tepper, said. “Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton's family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.”  READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/charlotte-fc-south-florida-death-anton-walkes/275-83a0fc7a-6108-4523-b3b0-67be7e9f3de6The third day of a trial involving a former Myers Park High School student's alleged sexual assault wrapped up Thursday in which a judge granted a motion from the City of Charlotte to drop claims against the city in the lawsuit.The motion was granted on the basis that Doe's lawyer could not prove the City of Charlotte or the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was made aware or had notice that a student resource officer wasn't taking cases or reports of sexual misconduct seriously so this behavior could not be corrected.The trial's third day also saw Jane Doe take the stand to testify. She accuses Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools of not properly investigating her claims of sexual assault. The judge said there was enough evidence for a jury to decide if this is true.This all comes after a full day of testimony from Jane Doe, herself. For hours Thursday morning, Doe's lawyers had her detail her alleged sexual assault, and CMS‘s response, or lack thereof.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/myers-park-sexual-assault-lawsuit-news-charlotte/275-8231b017-8c6b-419b-97e8-a3913c356278Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Charlotte Football Club defender Anton Walkes died early Thursday morning following a boating accident in South Florida, the club announced. Walkes was 25. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Walkes was operating a vessel on Wednesday around 3 p.m. near the Miami Marine Stadium basin before it made contact with another vessel on the water. Officials said Walkes was found unconscious and transported to shore by Miami Fire Rescue where he received CPR. Walkes died Thursday morning, officials said.  It is unclear at this time what type of watercraft Walkes was operating at the time of the crash.  “Everyone at Tepper Sports & Entertainment is devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes. He was a tremendous son, father, partner and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met,” Owner David Tepper, said. “Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch. He will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with Anton's family during this heartbreaking time. The Club offers its full support to all those impacted during this period of mourning.”   READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/soccer/charlotte-fc/charlotte-fc-south-florida-death-anton-walkes/275-83a0fc7a-6108-4523-b3b0-67be7e9f3de6 The third day of a trial involving a former Myers Park High School student's alleged sexual assault wrapped up Thursday in which a judge granted a motion from the City of Charlotte to drop claims against the city in the lawsuit. The motion was granted on the basis that Doe's lawyer could not prove the City of Charlotte or the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department was made aware or had notice that a student resource officer wasn't taking cases or reports of sexual misconduct seriously so this behavior could not be corrected. The trial's third day also saw Jane Doe take the stand to testify.  She accuses Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools of not properly investigating her claims of sexual assault. The judge said there was enough evidence for a jury to decide if this is true. This all comes after a full day of testimony from Jane Doe, herself. For hours Thursday morning, Doe's lawyers had her detail her alleged sexual assault, and CMS‘s response, or lack thereof. READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/wake-up-charlotte/myers-park-sexual-assault-lawsuit-news-charlotte/275-8231b017-8c6b-419b-97e8-a3913c356278 Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

Scuba Shack Maui is for sale. If you want to own a dive shop and live on Maui, you might consider the turn-key operation in Kihei. Find out more about Scuba Shack Maui. Lake Hydra (the former Dutch Springs) is scheduled to re-open in 2023. The original plan was to open in April 2023 but it looks like that might be delayed. Ken Kraft is hoping to have part of the quarry open by June. The Small Passenger Liability Fairness Act was signed into law when it was added to the defense authorization bill. It is expected that this act will seriously impact liability insurance for dive boat owners. When it get's cold in Florida the manatees head for warm water sites. They will seek warm water over eating, so the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has set up one feeding station at the Cape Canaveral warming area. Commentary - Is the drysuit causing a decrease in northeast diving? How can that be - drysuits allow us to dive year round here in New England. But drysuits are expensive, require additional training and experience. By touting the drysuit are unconsciously causing new divers to NOT dive here in the northeast.   What do you think? In this installment of Sea Hunt It's Still Alive we are heading back to season 4 for episode 3 titled The Destroyers. Mike is working with a Coast Guard team to figure out how two Navy destroyers collided when the radars were jammed. Mike must fight off two scooter divers. He uses razor sharp coral to shred one bad diver hose and rams a second diver with a Porto Sub to capture the saboteurs.

Manatees are among the most beloved creatures that call the Indian River Lagoon home, but these graceful sea cows have recently been threatened with a concerning spike in deaths. The IRL Council sits down with Dr. Martine deWitt from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to discuss the importance of manatees to lagoon ecology and examine the cause behind this heartbreaking phenomenon. To learn more about manatee and the efforts to preserve their populations, visit: myfwc.comTo learn more about the IRL Council and our lagoon home, visit: https://onelagoon.org/➜ Indian River Lagoon vital signs: https://onelagoon.org/steps-to-success/➜ Volunteer: https://onelagoon.org/find-volunteer-event/➜ Help From Home: https://onelagoon.org/helping-from-home/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRLNEP/Twitter: https://twitter.com/onelagoonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelagoon/

Dr. Jenkins sits down with McKayla Spencer, the Interagency Python Management Coordinator with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They talk about everything python in Florida. They walk through a timeline of the invasion including how the snakes arrived and how the partnerships' control methods have changed over the years. They also discuss python regulations in Florida, how the snakes are humanely euthanized, new technologies for detecting them, scout snakes and much more. You do not want to miss this episode!Connect with McKayla and read more about pythons at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.

In this episode we are reminded why Jackie is dedicated to helping First Responders as we hear from Jackies brother Hampton Yates and his wife Angelique. FWC Officer Hampton Yates Jr. has spent 35 years with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission enforcing fishing and hunting laws. Deputy Sheriff Angelique Yates of the Walton County Sheriff's Office has spent 19 years in law enforcement including Patrol, Investigator, and Judicial Services. Angelique has a Criminal Justice degree with a specialization in crimes against children. In this episode they talk with Jackie and Scott Campbell about the challenges of navigating law enforcement careers as a couple. For more information on Campbell and Company or to schedule a complimentary consultation call 727-334-0024 or visit www.mycampbellandco.com 

Cane toads are well known for posing a threat to our pets. They are one of many invasive animal species we have here in Florida. In this episode you will learn all about this invasive toad species, how it became established in Florida, impacts of its presence, and ways you can help. Learn more: Florida's Frogs & Toads – Cane Toad - https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/canetoad.shtml (includes videos on identification, action steps if a pet is poisoned by a cane toad, and how to humanely euthanize them) Cane Toad or “Bufo” Toad (Rhinella marina) in Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432 Southern Toad or Cane Toad – a compare/contrast video - https://youtu.be/7jTDEVEolu8 What to do if a pet encounters a cane toad (video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1HUuxM7Zc How You Can Help: Share what you learned with a friend! Report invasive cane toads outside of current range See Figure 1 from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432 and report any sightings outside of the green area – email Dr. Johnson (tadpole@ufl.edu) with location information for the cane toad sighting and at least two focused pictures, one showing the top of the head and another of the shoulder area. Humanely euthanize invasive cane toads - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZlSVbOkWU Sources for this Episode: Cane Toad or “Bufo” Toad (Rhinella marina) in Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432 Florida Wildlife Extension – Marine Toad - https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/rhinella_marina.php Department of Wildlife & Ecology – UF Wildlife – Johnson Lab - https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/canetoad.shtml Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/amphibians/cane-toad/ If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here! If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/naturallyflorida/message

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences. Join Lara and Shannon as they interview Dr. J. Scott Angle, UF Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of UF/IFAS. Learn more: Dr. Angle has recently published a commentary on UF/IFAS' snail kite work. Read it, here: Signs of hope for endangered Everglade snail kite | The Invading Sea Everglades snail kite – Learn more about this species on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission page - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/everglade-snail-kite/ Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) - https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/cups/#:~:text=Citrus%20Under%20Protective%20Screen%20(CUPS)%20is%20an%20integrated%20system%20for,of%20Huanglongbing%20disease%20(HLB). About UF/IFAS - The mission of UF/IFAS is to develop knowledge in agricultural, human, and natural resources, and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life: https://ifas.ufl.edu/about-us/ About Dr. J. Scott Angle - https://ifas.ufl.edu/vp-office/about/j-scott-angle/ Follow Dr. Scott Angle on Twitter - https://twitter.com/IFAS_VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw About Dr. Robert J. Fletcher - https://vivo.ufl.edu/display/n11658 How You Can Help: Connect with UF/IFAS through social media networks – Help us share the great works, findings, and opportunities from UF/IFAS: https://ifas.ufl.edu/social-media/ Subscribe to the UF/IFAS Blogs site – Learn what UF/IFAS faculty and staff are doing around the state or subscribe to a particular county's blog site: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/global/ Support conservation of our agricultural and natural lands – There are numerous organizations working to support our agricultural and natural lands. Consider finding one whose mission you wish to support. Participate in conservation work – Find a local organization conducting regular tree plantings, restoration, clean-ups, invasive species removal, etc., and get involved. Sources for this Episode: All About Birds – The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snail_Kite/overview If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/naturallyflorida/message