Hot Host

If You See Birds or Other Wildlife in Your Pool, Let Them Use It

It's hot outside, and your chlorinated pool water is safe for wildlife who are at risk of becoming dehydrated.

05/22/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Film

Go See the New Film Path of the Panther

The new documentary film allows us to see the elusive cat—Florida's state animal—in all its secret glory like never before. 

03/03/2023 By Isaac Eger

Path of the Panther

A New Film Highlights the Plight of the Florida Panther

Wildlife photographer Carlton Ward Jr. produced the movie, which will receive a statewide theatrical release this month.

02/17/2023 By Staff

Into the Wild

Join Us on a Wild Raccoon Release

We recently released raccoons that were orphaned by Hurricane Ian back into the wild.

01/23/2023 By Isaac Eger

Post-Ian

Anna Maria's Wildlife Inc. Has Taken in a Flood of Animals Ravaged by Hurricane Ian

The morning after the hurricane made landfall on Florida's west coast, the center took in roughly 160 animals in need of care.

10/10/2022 By Kim Doleatto

LOL

'Laughing With Lemurs' Offers an Unforgettable and Hilarious Experience

Beth Bongar, a certified laughter wellness coach, leads the one-hour session with the help of three lemurs at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Sarasota.

05/16/2022 By Kim Doleatto

The Path Forward

Photographer Carlton Ward Jr. Is Using His Lens to Help Save Wild Florida

The story of the Florida panther is one of near extinction, followed by a dramatic rebound and a shaky status quo.

05/05/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Green Living Toolkit

How to Turn Your Yard Into a Paradise for Florida Wildlife

Two experts explain how your yard (or even just your balcony) can have a positive effect on the environment.

04/14/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Our Squirrels, Ourselves

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Squirrel

It’s all about understanding urban wildlife—and the occasional sausage.

01/21/2022 By Isaac Eger

Grass appeal

Volunteers Work to Restore Salt Marsh Habitat at Robinson Preserve

Planting bucketfuls of grass creates habitat for birds and shelter for other types of wildlife.

06/09/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Rescue Mission

Mote, FWC Rescue Two Cold-Stressed Manatees in Sarasota This Week

Both manatees have been successfully transferred to ZooTampa's David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center for treatment.

01/15/2021 By Megan McDonald

Rescue Mission

Pregnant Manatee Rescued On Siesta Key

The mother manatee—who had fresh boat strike wounds—gave birth to her calf today at SeaWorld Orlando, where she is being monitored around the clock.

05/12/2020 By Staff

Wildlife Scavenger Hunt

12 Wild Animals You Might See in the Everglades

Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, crocodiles, otters, deer, birds and more.

02/27/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Nature Watch

A Glimpse Into a Lido Beach Eagle Nest

A Sarasota resident observed and photographed a family of eagles over the course of the past month.

05/20/2019 By Olivia Letts

Environment

Organizations Partner to Boost Snook Population Hurt by Red Tide

The two-year initiative includes raising and releasing 10,000 hatchery-reared juvenile snook along Florida’s southwest coast.

09/11/2018 By Staff

The Fast and the Furriest

Your Last Chance to See Twiggy, the Water-Skiing Squirrel

The famous rodent is scurrying to Sarasota to participate in this weekend's Suncoast Boat Show before retiring this summer.

04/16/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Tourism

USF Research Suggests Low Chance of Red Tide This Year

Conditions suggest that we should not expect red tide outbreaks along Florida's west coast this year, according to new research.

08/10/2016 Research by staff

Wild Things

11 Wild Animals You'll Find in Southwest Florida

From bobcats to otters, here's a sampling of the wildlife you might run into in Southwest Florida.

04/05/2016 Illustrations by Rob Jones

Article

2016 Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival

12/22/2015 By Robin Draper

Article

Touring the Bay Aboard the Carefree Learner

A floating classroom on Sarasota Bay.

02/26/2015 By Hannah Wallace