florida fish and wildlife service /tags/florida-fish-and-wildlife-service florida fish and wildlife service en-US SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ä± Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:20:43 GMT Miami's cruising owls return to the Sunshine State /environment/2026-03-19/burrowing-owls-cruise-miami-florida The pair of burrowing owls stowed away on a cruise ship at PortMiami last year and sailed to Spain. Planning their return took coordinating a dizzying list of international trade authorities, wildlife permitting and quarantine rules. Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:20:43 GMT /environment/2026-03-19/burrowing-owls-cruise-miami-florida Jenny Staletovich Chasing rare beauty: Poachers brave dangerous Florida swamps for imperiled ghost orchid /environment/2025-10-31/chasing-rare-beauty-poachers-brave-dangerous-florida-swamps-for-imperiled-ghost-orchid The ghost, native to only Florida and Cuba, is a leafless web of roots splayed on the trunks of native trees. It’s also taxing to find, but the orchid’s ribbon-like white bloom makes the dangerous trek well worth it – especially for those drawn to rarity. Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:26:00 GMT /environment/2025-10-31/chasing-rare-beauty-poachers-brave-dangerous-florida-swamps-for-imperiled-ghost-orchid Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Fresh Take Florida Endangered sawfish have been found dead in Lower Keys. Other fish also dying /environment/2024-02-22/endangered-sawfish-found-dead-in-lower-florida-keys Sick and dying fish started appearing in mid November. Early tests ruled out harmful water conditions but confirmed elevated levels of a toxin found in ciguatera. Fri, 23 Feb 2024 01:51:07 GMT /environment/2024-02-22/endangered-sawfish-found-dead-in-lower-florida-keys Jenny Staletovich Environmental groups sue U.S. over sluggish pace in listing the rare ghost orchid as endangered /environment/2023-09-13/rare-ghost-orchid-florida-endangered The rare ghost orchid found mainly in Florida and Cuba should be immediately protected by the U.S. as an endangered species, three environmental groups claimed in a lawsuit arguing that federal officials are unduly delaying a decision. Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:45:00 GMT /environment/2023-09-13/rare-ghost-orchid-florida-endangered The Associated Press Florida wildlife commissioners will discuss the captive breeding of diamondback terrapins /environment/2022-11-29/florida-wildlife-commissioners-will-discuss-the-captive-breeding-of-diamondback-terrapins The captive breeding of diamondback terrapins has not been allowed in Florida since 2006, but wildlife officials on Wednesday will discuss whether to bring it back during their next meeting. Tue, 29 Nov 2022 20:00:00 GMT /environment/2022-11-29/florida-wildlife-commissioners-will-discuss-the-captive-breeding-of-diamondback-terrapins Jessica Meszaros Florida Fish & Wildlife creates hotline to address thousands of vessels displaced by Hurricane Ian /hurricane-coverage/2022-10-14/florida-fish-wildlife-creates-hotline-to-address-thousands-of-vessels-displaced-by-hurricane-ian The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has established a hotline for reporting displaced vessels still on Florida state waters because of Hurricane Ian. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:30:00 GMT /hurricane-coverage/2022-10-14/florida-fish-wildlife-creates-hotline-to-address-thousands-of-vessels-displaced-by-hurricane-ian WGCU Staff Wildlife agency turning invasive water hyacinth into organic fertilizer /news/2022-04-19/wildlife-agency-turning-invasive-water-hyacinth-into-organic-fertilizer Right now there is a box-shaped, metal thing sliding along the surface of Lake Okeechobee. It’s called a boat, but it resembles an aluminum scooper that doesn’t look like it should float. It moves with paddlewheels and sports a pitchfork. The smelly, messy endeavor is the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s latest stab at ways to rid Lake Okeechobee of the invasive species. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:43:39 GMT /news/2022-04-19/wildlife-agency-turning-invasive-water-hyacinth-into-organic-fertilizer Tom Bayles Amid Virus, Florida Wildlife Authorities Issue No-Take Order On Freshwater Turtles /news/2021-08-31/amid-virus-florida-wildlife-authorities-issue-no-take-order-on-freshwater-turtles The executive order is aimed at conserving the turtles as the agency investigates a virus sickening them. Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:05:30 GMT /news/2021-08-31/amid-virus-florida-wildlife-authorities-issue-no-take-order-on-freshwater-turtles Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission Takes ‘Bold Stance’ On Non-Native Reptiles /news/2021-02-25/florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission-takes-bold-stance-on-non-native-reptiles Commercial breeding of non-native tegu lizards and green iguanas in Florida will end in three years despite the objections of reptile dealers and owners warning of the potential destruction of their industry. Thu, 25 Feb 2021 21:39:17 GMT /news/2021-02-25/florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission-takes-bold-stance-on-non-native-reptiles Jim Turner / News Service of Florida Road Work Threatens Florida Panther, Environmental Groups Say In Federal Lawsuit /2020-01-09/road-work-threatens-florida-panther-environmental-groups-say-in-federal-lawsuit Environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging plans to widen roadways in primary habitat for the endangered Florida panther, the... Thu, 09 Jan 2020 22:00:42 GMT /2020-01-09/road-work-threatens-florida-panther-environmental-groups-say-in-federal-lawsuit Amy Green of WMFE