ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A two-year experimental feeding program for starving Florida manatees will not immediately resume this winter as conditions have improved for the threatened marine mammals and the seagrass on which they depend, wildlife officials said. Thousands of pounds of lettuce were fed to manatees that typically …
Read More »The Point, Dec. 4, 2023: School district returns LGBTQ book to library shelf
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: School district reverses decision, putting LGBTQ book back on library shelf. “The district said it now deems the complaint about the book invalid after concluding the woman who challenged it …
Read More »Wildlife rehabbers may be in jeopardy with new rules from Florida Fish and Wildlife
Some people bring their kids or their dogs to work, but Becky Goodman snuck a squirrel into the office every day. She works full time for a local tech company and owns a business building nesting boxes for squirrels to fund all 80 in her care. And she does all …
Read More »FWC considers ‘greater flexibility’ in gator hunting
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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at a Dec. 5 meeting in Orlando will take up a proposal that would lead to a …
Read More »Florida’s corals rescued from one of the worst bleaching events are back to the ocean
When the potentially record-high heat wave swept Florida in July, thousands of corals were rescued and relocated to land-based facilities to avoid bleaching. Now as the temperature drops to normal levels, healthy corals are ready to go back to their offshore nurseries. Bleaching may be deadly for corals. When water …
Read More »Feds consider listing manatees as endangered
Federal wildlife officials will consider whether manatees should be classified as an endangered species, pointing to issues such as a loss of seagrass that serves as a key food source for the animals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday issued a document that said the agency will conduct …
Read More »The Point, Oct. 9, 2023: Energy assistance program continues in Alachua County
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Program to assist low-income tenants will continue in Alachua County. “The Energy Efficiency and Weatherization of Affordable Housing Program has been in effect from January to September with the goal …
Read More »70-year-old man accused of killing or wounding gopher tortoises
An arraignment hearing on the Archer man's case is scheduled for Nov. 2. If convicted, he could face a fine not to exceed $1,000, plus court costs and fees.
Read More »Living alongside coyotes, Floridians defend their livlihoods
The North Central Florida terrain is home to what some call an unwanted visitor. In areas like Fort White, Trenton and Bell, packs of coyotes often leave traces behind. From murdered chickens to attacked cats, the area has seen its fair share of encounters. Andrew Nettles is a Trenton, Florida …
Read More »Florida proposes bill to permit bear killing in self-defense
A bill proposed today in the Florida Legislature would allow the killing of bears in self-defense. House Bill 87, proposed by Representative Jason Shoaf, faces an uphill battle as it passes through the legislature. Under the bill, people can kill bears without authorization or permits if the person feels threatened. …
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