endangered species

After having what one described as a "significant impact" on Florida's black bear hunt this month, conservationists could seek to add bears to the federal threatened species list. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Tuesday reported 52 bears were killed during the hunt, which was held from Dec. 6 through Sunday. That was less than a third of the 172 bears that could have been killed.

The Trump administration wants to roll back protections for endangered and threatened species viewed as detrimental to economic growth. One critic says the proposals would have "destructive effects."

The stowaways were discovered hanging out in a leafy park on one of the world’s largest cruise ships after it left PortMiami earlier this year on a trip bound for Spain. Why the pint-sized birds that normally favor solid ground wound up sailing the high seas remains a mystery.

The ghost, native to only Florida and Cuba, is a leafless web of roots splayed on the trunks of native trees. It’s also taxing to find, but the orchid’s ribbon-like white bloom makes the dangerous trek well worth it – especially for those drawn to rarity.

“These amazing snakes are hidden gems of the Southeast, but if they don’t get Endangered Species Act protections soon there’s a real chance they could go extinct,” said Jeremiah Scanlan, a legal fellow at the Center, in a statement.

A rewording of the Endangered Species Act is being proposed by the Trump administration. The proposed rollback would eliminate the definition of "harm" that includes habitat destruction.

This winter's deaths come nearly six months after a mysteriously ailment linked to toxic algae killed more than 50 endangered sawfish around the Florida Keys.

The proposed rule would keep the Florida manatee as a threatened species, continuing its status since being delisted as endangered in 2017. A public hearing is set for Feb. 26.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday it will take the unprecedented step of catching and caring for sick sawfish in an effort to prevent ongoing deaths.

Manatees were among the first animals listed on the Endangered Species Act in 1973, when their population was estimated at 1,000. Now they’ve come to exemplify both the power of conservation and how tenuous its successes can feel.

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

NOAA denied a request to implement a “vessel slowdown zone” in waters 100 meters to 400 meters deep from Pensacola to south of Tampa to protect the species.