Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-1 at a meeting in favor of a bear hunt in December and annually into the future, allowing the use of up to six dogs to corner the bears.

It goes into effect on July 1. State law enforcement won't be able to solely use safety inspections to justify stopping and boarding boats.

Necropsy results revealed that a 263-pound black bear contained the partial remains of 89-year-old Robert Markel, and a preliminary autopsy found that Markel’s cause of death was consistent with a bear attack.

A husband and wife who were passengers with their two young children say "the scars we are left with may never go away."

The attorney for Clearwater boat owner, Jeffry Knight, sent a letter to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that included what he says are handwritten, notarized statements from several passengers on the boat.

Said Sandy Todd, the victim's sister: “I know my brother is not coming back, but I want the person who is responsible for this situation to pay for what he did.”

As of Monday night, no charges have been filed in the crash that killed one person and injured several others. Police have released the names of the man who was killed on the ferry, as well as both boat operators.

Nearly 2,000 manatees died in the state in 2021 and 2022, a two-year record. Widespread water quality problems and seagrass losses left the sea cows starving.

Florida alligators are starting their search for a mate with courtship season this month. As males begin to compete for females and smaller alligators get pushed out of territories, residents may see more near urban areas.

Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.

While urban bear encounters have increased in Florida, some fear a bear hunt could leave more dead than necessary.

The "coral defenders" are made of plastic called PHA. Similar to a potato starch, it naturally breaks down when exposed, especially to salt water.