Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission

Sperm whales are an endangered species, but are also resident animals to the Gulf of Mexico. It is also rare for them to wash up on Florida shores.

The 50-feet-long whale was beached on a sandbar about 50 yards out in Venice. Weather prevented a rescue and the whale died between 3 and 4 a.m. Monday.

The University of Florida team said the four species to watch out for next are alewife, zebra mussels, crab-eating macaques and red shrimp crayfish.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to consider proposed changes to the rules governing wildlife rehabilitation. Some rehabbers say it may force them to call it quits.

A limited number of alligator hunters could get special permits that would expand where they can hunt, under a proposal that state wildlife officials are considering.

The deaths account for one third of the total in the state so far this year.

The Key deer is losing the only place it lives, raising uncomfortable questions for the people tasked with keeping endangered species alive.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises installing one-way bat doors after August 15, which is when the animal's April-to-August nesting season is over.

The FWC wants the public to weigh in on conservation practices designed to improve conditions for the owls.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials made the announcement in St. Petersburg following comments from animal rights advocates.

This comes after dozens of meetings with stakeholders, including avian rescue groups, anglers, wildlife conservation groups, pier concessionaires, local and state government representatives, and others.

The captured bear may have been the first to be spotted there, but it is certainly not an anomaly for the state of Florida.