Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Students from kindergarten through high school can create and enter an original piece of artwork for free in the Florida Native Fish Award contest to win state and national honors and prizes.

A mysterious disease is spreading through the already endangered Florida panther population, and dozens of wildlife scientists working to figure out how to stop it before any more of the beloved and endangered species remain crippled from it or die trying to live with it.

Environmental groups say he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has previously agreed to added protections for the species, but has since backtracked.

The diamondback terrapin, a unique turtle species found in Florida, has become a popular pet in Asia. The overseas demand has led to increased poaching. To fight this illegal market, advocates want to create a legal breeding program.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Thursday advanced rule changes for the “Vessel Turn-In Program,” which is intended to help speed the removal of privately owned boats that have been abandoned, wrecked, junked or substantially dismantled in state waters.

Officials typically record about two sperm whale strandings a year in the Gulf of Mexico, so two in a week is unusual.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a new rule this week aimed at cracking down on captive wildlife owners who have lost their permits.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission extended alligator hunting hours from 5 p.m. till 10 a.m. to 24 hours during the season.

Mechanical harvesters will be used to collect invasive floating plants and the plants will then be processed and pumped to nearby hayfields to enhance soil.

Many of manatee deaths have been attributed to starvation because of declining seagrass beds that are prime foraging areas, particularly in the Indian River Lagoon.

The Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program is a citizen-scientist initiative to collect data throughout the state.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is allowing limited fishing of protected goliath grouper and set new limits on catching dolphin fish.