Florida wildlife officials said on Tuesday that 52 black bears were harvested during the 2025 hunting season, the first conducted under newly approved rules establishing Bear Hunting Zones across portions of the state.

This weekend marks the end of the statewide bear hunt, which has been underway since Dec. 6.

A conservation group has filed a lawsuit to stop Florida’s first black bear hunt in more than a decade.

Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced on Monday that they fired an employee over a social media post “that made light of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”

A $2,500 reward is being offered for information after a dog was found abandoned in a dumpster at a Volusia County apartment complex.

As state wildlife officers continue their search for a black bear that found itself on I-4 in the Orlando area, conservationists say it's no surprise that more bears and humans are interacting across Florida.

Florida state law allows for residents to keep a variety of strange animals as pets, though there are more than a few hoops to jump through, depending on what type of critter you want to take home.

According to wildlife officials, the bear was first spotted behind a house on County Road 647 South in Sumter County. The Bear Management Program worked quickly to set up traps in the area.

Katrina McAllister and her family traveled from Ocala to join several others at Lake Eola Park Saturday to speak out against the FWC’s new proposed black bear hunt.

Florida wildlife officials are holding more online meetings this week about the possibility of a return to bear hunting in the state.

Ten days after a boat capsized on the St. Johns River, crews have located the final missing child, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Manatees in Florida are slowly doing better after an effort to preserve their mortality and habitat, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Bear management is a significant topic in Seminole County as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission prepares for a virtual meeting this Thursday.

There’s good news and bad news and Florida’s manatee population.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday directed officials to bring forward proposals for a possible bear hunt. The proposals are expected to be completed by a May commission meeting, giving staff members time to compile data from ongoing studies about bear populations and gather more public input.

A recent viral video shows a monkey in a rather unusual place: a wooded bank along the St. Johns River.

Milton is expected to be a strong storm — potentially moving through Orlando at Category 2 — though threats could remain even after the hurricane leaves.

Florida's Python Challenge is winding down, though health officials warn you might want to leave these snakes off the menu.

People who live in the Victoria Commons neighborhood in DeLand are puzzled over what they call a "sudden" and "strange" animal kill.

Living in Florida, it’s all happened to us at some point. Coming across a dead animal is nothing new. But what should you do in this situation?

The maternity season of bats is almost over, which means if you find yourself dealing with a few uninvited visitors in your home or attic, the ideal time to remove them is coming up soon.

With major beach renourishment projects going on to restore its dunes, Flagler County said it is causing some confusion for sea turtles.

City officials contacted Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Assistance Program for solutions to prevent potential wildlife conflict after a river otter was spotted at Lake Eola Park.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute rescued two sea turtles in need of care earlier this month from Melbourne Beach and Tequesta.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting virtual python hunter training every third Thursday throughout the summer.

Airboat strikes sandbar on East Lake Toho

FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto tells News 6 that the commission's agreement to lift conservation easements on protected land within Split Oak Forest will benefit the public in more ways than not.

FWC commissioners agreed to release conservation easements on protected land within Split Oak Forest, where CFX plans to build an extension of Osceola Parkway.

The actual law itself remains unchanged.

News 6 viewer Wade Lanier sent us a photo of a black bear sitting in a tree not far from Ocoee.

There are more reports of injured pelicans along Florida’s east coast.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is investigating after an “abnormal” increase in injuries among pelicans along Central Florida coastal counties.

News 6 just returned from the Mexico border, where troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol were seen taking part in Operation Lone Star, an initiative launched by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2021 to combat illegal immigration.

Manatee conditions are starting to show some signs of improvement in the Indian River Lagoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A midair scare forced a flight from Orlando to divert to Jacksonville after an argument on board.

Many people in Florida are gearing up to celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday. However, a decades-long fight nearly caused the holiday to be celebrated an entire week later.

The 37-year-old mother was last seen by her kids Saturday night.

A high-speed chase on I-95 ends with the arrest of a South Florida man accused of stabbing a doctor.

Captains of two Wild Florida airboats that collided on Cypress Lake in August told investigators they did not see the other boat coming until it was too late.

A dolphin seen hoisted from the water in a picture posted on Instagram is believed to have died, according to two people involved.

Robert Pettitt who lives on the Grand Canal said he's now heartbroken for a dog owner in his neighborhood. The FWC said it received the report of the deceased dog in the mouth of the crocodile on Monday.

A contagious disease to deer, elk, moose and caribou has been detected in Florida.

A boat captain is dead and another person injured after a suspected lightning strike in Brevard County at Pineda Causeway and US-1, according to Brevard County Fire Rescue.

Deputies announced they are conducting a search and recovery mission for two adults on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven on Saturday.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is now recommending charges against the man accused of beating a shark with a hammer.

While 2022 did not prove to be as deadly for Florida’s manatees as 2021, researchers said the animals are still in trouble, especially in the Indian River Lagoon.

Beach day! Even for alligators?

The Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) had to rescue a white-tailed deer that was stuck on a part of its property after Hurricane Ian.

A video of two men dragging a shark across the New Smyrna Beach shore and stabbing it in the head surfaced Saturday, leaving many social media users stunned and questioning the legality of the practice.

Two Miami men were arrested Sunday after deputies said they kidnapped a Key deer in Marathon.

Memorial Day weekend is considered by some to be the unofficial start of summer and, by no coincidence, a great time to get back in the water. Unfortunately, according to conservationists and wildlife officials, manatees have similar plans.

A search is underway for a Malabar man who went overboard while fishing with friends off the coast of Melbourne Beach, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

This is not what you want to find on the other side of your door.

On this week’s edition of Florida’s Fourth Estate, hosts Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin take a walk on the wild side and look closer at some of the more unusual creatures found slithering, climbing, hopping, running or burrowing in Florida.

The experimental feeding designed to help starving manatees in the Indian River Lagoon came to an end Friday.

SeaWorld is doubling the size of its Manatee Critical Care space.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Friday that Florida has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels.

Florida, Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission workers along with other organizations said they are hoping the warm weather will help with manatee mortality in the state.

Florida is lifting its three-decade ban on catching and killing goliath groupers.

An orphaned manatee calf was transported to SeaWorld for care after it was found at the Cape Canaveral Clean Energy Center in Brevard County, according to The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

The Argentine black and white tegu is multiplying and mobilizing in the backwoods and backyards of the Sunshine State — a creature more ominous than pythons because of its cold hardiness and indiscriminate palate.

Manatees are starving and dying in record numbers in Florida, particular in the Indian River Lagoon where there is a massive loss of seagrass.

From Jan. 1 through Oct. 8, at least 968 manatees have died in Florida, including 321 in Brevard County.

The latest data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission shows 968 manatees have died this year in Florida and the majority have been in the Indian River Lagoon.

A resident near Lake Druid Park in Orlando said there have been several coyote sightings in the area.

A dog chasing ducks was killed by a gator in Winter Garden when it ran by the water, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Ribs jutting out from its side, the manatee appears to be starving in the video shot by Dana Pinnick at Manatee Hammock Campground in Titusville.

A woman was caught with five queen conchs with live animals still inside, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation.

Governor Ron DeSantis kicks off the 2021 Python Challenge in the Everglades.

This Florida skunk has killer handstand moves but it's not just for show.

This job isn't for the faint of heart.

Check out this view of Daytona Beach!

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County authorities have arrested a third person after a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer was run over by an ATV during a Saturday night confrontation, officials said. The officer was patrolling the Avon Park Bombing Range when, officials said, he spotted three people shining a spotlight into the Avon Park Bombing Range property. When the officer approached the individuals, a scuffle broke out, according to sheriff’s officials. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the assailants ran over the officer as they fled the scene. Rodrigo Alberto Mato La Rosa was apprehended in South Florida and also faces a charge of attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.

MIAMI – A manatee mystery has South Florida officials scratching their heads after one of the gentle sea cows was found dead, WPLG-TV reported. “I came over here and I see this giant manatee without a head,” Mahomar told Local 10. “Salinity control structures closing on manatees was the second leading cause of deaths of manatees in the state of Florida,” said Silverstein. Now, as those gates are closing, if it detects the presence of a manatee those gates are supposed to stop. That leads to a question of whether those sensors were working at the time the manatee Mahomar found was crushed.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering a $5,000 reward for information about a fatal boating crash that happened in May. According to Chad Weber, of the FWC, a 43-year-old man on his personal watercraft was hit by a fishing boat around 10:30 a.m. on May 23 on Lake Monroe near channel marker 6. Weber said witnesses reported seeing a fishing boat hit a personal watercraft and then leaving the area. FWC said two good Samaritan vessels stopped to help the victim and brought him back to the Wayside boat ramp. Authorities said the boat may have front end damage or have black paint transferred on it from the crash.

On Saturday, Sept. 5, you can go saltwater fishing without a license. Its one of eight days of license-free fishing in 2020 offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. License-free fishing days are a great way for Florida residents and visitors to get out on the water and find out why Florida is known as the Fishing Capital of the World. The only remaining license-free fishing day n 2020 is the Saturday following Thanksgiving and it applies to saltwater fishing as well. For fishing regulations and tips, click here and to renew or purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Update 2:40 p.m.Officials have located the person who was involved in the hit-and-run. The young swimmer was hit at 12:21 p.m. and the vessel left the scene, according to the FWC. FWC officers and deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office were searching for the boat. Around 10:30 p.m., FWC officials said they located the person involved. Authorities did not provide a description of the boat or the girl’s condition.

Anglers will be excited to learn the 2020 Gulf red snapper season starts Thursday in Florida. For-hire operation red snapper fishing began June 1 and runs until Aug. 1 this year. State Reef Fish Anglers will help improve recreational data for several reef fish species such snapper, grouper and hogfish, according to FWCs website. In July, the Atlantic federal red snapper season opens in federal waters on July 10, 11, 12 and 17. Fishing for red snapper in state waters, which is 3 nautical miles from shore, is open year-round, according to FWC.

FWC seeks information in fatal hit-and-run on Lake MonroePublished: May 24, 2020, 6:46 pmThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking for the public's help as it seeks information about a hit-and-run that occurred on Lake Monroe.

According to Chad Weber with FWC, the boating accident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Lake Monroe near channel marker 6. "FWC is trying to piece together what took place," Weber said. Weber said witnesses reported seeing a fishing boat hit a personal watercraft and then leave the area. FWC said two good Samaritan vessels stopped to help the victim and brought him back to Wayside boat ramp. Weber said FWC officers are following up on leads, but they face several challenges to solve this hit and run.

Crews work to rescue manatee with tire stuck around its bellyPublished: December 10, 2019, 1:52 pmCrews in Volusia County are working to capture a manatee stuck in a tire, according to wildlife officials.

ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld came to the rescue by caring for an orphaned manatee calf that was reported last week by a good Samaritan in Daytona Beach. Staff from Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Volusia County Stranding Team, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation arrived at the Halifax Harbor Marina to rescue the 64-pound, 4-foot animal with a hoop net. The calf was then taken to SeaWorld in Orlando, where the orphaned mammal is receiving special attention. According to FWC, manatees range throughout Florida waters, and the major threats to the endangered species include death from human-related causes and habitat loss.