Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers adding new conservation areas when it identifies a geographic region with high-quality wildlife habitats remaining despite the development of homes and businesses, where migratory birds and threatened or endangered species still thrive.

A move to restrict ship movements in the Gulf of Mexico could strangle maritime commerce, the Florida Ports Council says.

Despite its odd name, environmental advocates say the southern hognose snake should get full protection.

They say the federal government has previously agreed to added protections for the species, but has since backtracked.

The population of an endangered bird, the Everglade snail kite, has rebounded recently. Scientists it's all thanks to an invasive snail that has provided kites with a new abundant food source.

The Hendrie Ranch in Highlands County sold a 661-acre conservation easement along the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which will benefit the Florida panther.

The ungainly yet graceful wood stork, which was on the brink of extinction in 1984, has rebounded dramatically in Florida and other Southern states, officials say.

The state considers the burrowing owl a threatened species and Cape Coral is home to about 3,000 — the most of anywhere else in the state.

Their populations have dropped by 80%, and both could soon be recommended for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Florida burrowing owl is listed as threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Rampant poaching of the ghost orchid has it in serious peril, and estimates of their numbers in the wild range from 750 to 1,500.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says increased protections are not warranted for gopher tortoises in Florida and other states, despite issues such as development moving into the animals’ habitats.