Florida Wildlife

A proposed overhaul of the Marine Mammal Protection Act is aimed at bringing "objectivity and clarity" to terms defined in the law.

The proposed rules include a lottery-style permitting process, up to 187 bears being killed in four areas of the state, and guidelines to encourage hunters to kill males.

James "Buddy" Powell was chief zoological officer at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. He researched the gentle sea cows throughout much of their range. Powell was 70.

The $200 million had been swept from the corridor acquisition money by state lawmakers before a line-item veto reversed that move.

But more money has been allocated in this year's state budget for a program that pays farmers and ranchers in the Florida Wildlife Corridor not to develop their land.

Disney World's conservation arm has given $1 million to the foundation that wants to preserve a wildlife corridor through the length of Florida.

The FWC voted 4-1 for staff members to return with rules for a December hunt that would be held in four parts of the state.

State wildlife officials will hear a proposal next week to create an annual black bear hunt. The proposed December hunt would be the first in over a decade.

A judge says Florida needs to seek what is known as an "incidental take permit" from federal wildlife officials to help minimize the effects of discharges on manatees.

These large, non-venomous snakes are listed as threatened because of habitat loss. They are a glossy, bluish-black color that can be iridescent in the sunlight.