Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

State wildlife officials are seeking nearly $7 million from lawmakers as they scramble to address a record year of manatee deaths in Florida’s degraded waters.

Commissioners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agreed Thursday to offer the osprey as a potential replacement for the mockingbird — Florida’s avian symbol since 1927.

Pelican Shoal off the Lower Florida Keys was once home to the state's largest colony of endangered roseate terns. It disappeared after hurricanes in 2005 — but has recently resurfaced and the birds have returned.

Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said more-proactive measures are needed because red tide outbreaks will continue to hinder the state, particularly the Gulf Coast, which is struggling with an outbreak in the Tampa Bay area.

A mysterious illness is killing songbirds in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States. Florida wildlife officials have not received any related reports.

More than 840 manatee deaths were recorded between Jan. 1 and July 2, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

How high should Lake Okeechobee go? A new plan could redefine the lake. Manatees are dying off at faster rates than in years past. Plus, Key West, key lime pie bakers and a mysterious murder in Sundial's Book Club pick for this month.

Least terns are protected in Florida. That didn't stop a Keys yacht club from removing nearly 130 chicks and eggs to repair its roof.

One conservationist said the interaction problem is with humans, not the rebounding shark population.

Fear-induced gas shortages. Sea turtle rescuers are being shut down by the state. Plus, a conversation with Yamiche Alcindor, who is hosting one of PBS’ biggest political shows.

State wildlife officials are considering whether to allow people to catch and keep goliath grouper for the first time in more than 30 years.

The findings disappointed scientists who documented flamingos' historic nesting in the state and made the case to reclassify the birds from vagrants to native birds.