Wildlife Conservation

Eaglet E22 sits on a branch at the nesting tree along Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers on Friday, May 19.

A SWFL Eagle Cam season to remember — might it be the last?

Tara Calligan

What a different year 2022-2023 has been for SWFL Eagle Cam eagles Harriet and M15 and eaglets E21 and E22. A special Gulf Coast Life on Monday will take a look back at the season.

Environment

Florida wildlife corridor expansion eyed; nearly $100 million possible

Ryan Dailey/News Service of Florida

State officials next week could direct nearly $100 million to secure more than 35,500 acres of primarily ranchland for the growing statewide Wildlife Corridor, while keeping agricultural operations on the properties in place.Twelve land deals on the May 23 agenda before Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet involve conservation easements, which allow the current landowners to continue active hunting, farming and cattle operations. In exchange, the land would be kept from residential and commercial development.

A proposed new conservation area, if approved, would be woven together in the same public and private fashion that created the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, above, established a decade ago.

Environment

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service seeks public input on proposed SWFL wildlife conservation area

WGCU Staff

The proposed new conservation area, if approved, would be woven together in the same public and private fashion that created the Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area established a decade ago.

Tour de Turtles marathon tracks sea turtle migration across continents

Mike Kiniry

The Sea Turtle Conservancy's annual Tour de Turtles allows people to follow the marathon migration of four different species of sea turtles that have been tagged with satellite transmitters.

Wildlife veterinarian Lara Cusack handles more kittens belonging to FP224. These young cats were measured and given immunity boosters while their mother was hunting away from the den. When panthers have space and protected habitats, their populations can grow. Only about one in three Florida panther kittens survives to adulthood. (Carlton Ward, Jr./National Geographic Society)

Florida Wildlife Corridor Project founder reflects on first year of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act

Mike Kiniry

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act was signed into law just over a year ago. Learn more about this ongoing effort to protect Florida’s lands and wildlife.

In an effort to help manatees battle the cold temperatures, Florida Power & Light's Cape Canaveral Clean Energy Center has been heating the water on an emergency basis, to prevent as many manatees as possible from dying from the cold. State and federal biologists have been feeding manatees there since mid December to stave off a mass starvation that's been going on in the Indian River Lagoon for more than a year.

Gov. DeSantis commits $30 million to save manatees after record number of deaths

Tom Bayles

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will include more than $30 million in the state's 2023 budget to try and figure out why record numbers of manatees are dying in Florida waters. Scientists blame agriculture and development for polluting the rivers where manatees live.

Construction site located on Ben Hill Griffin, across from Florida Gulf Coast University's campus. When land is cleared, wildlife is forced to relocate and pushed out of their natural habitat.

Increases in development in SWFL cause some to question the preservation of wildlife

Katiuska Carrillo

Cleared land and construction sites are commonplace in Southwest Florida. According to U.S. Census data, Lee County is the second fastest-growing county in the state. The increase in population leads to the need for more development, which raises the question of how to preserve the wildlife that makes this region so unique.

Environmental Round Up, Week ending Oct. 24

Valerie Vande Panne

Welcome to this week’s Environmental Roundup! Here’s what caught our eye in the environment this week.

Anglers Urged to "Mind Your Line" as Wayward Fishing Gear Harms Wildlife

Andrea Perdomo

As Southwest Florida prepares for an influx of people during the winter months, a handful of conservation groups in Sanibel are encouraging visitors and…