Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

A large alligator, estimated to be 10 feet long and weighing around 300 pounds, was spotted near Coconut Creek High School over the weekend. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers successfully wrangled the reptile and relocated it to Everglades Holiday Park.

Michael Simpson, who was charged with attempted second-degree murder for allegedly shutting off a juvenile diver's oxygen supply while lobster diving off Fisher Island, claims the charges are a 'complete misunderstanding.' He disputes the accusers’ version of events and suggests the recorded incident actually shows another diver tugging the rope attached to the breathing device during an altercation. Simpson contends that his group was reacting to accusations from a combative group who were territorial over their diving spot.

A confrontation over a lobster diving spot off Florida allegedly escalated when Michael Joseph Simpson was accused of intentionally shutting off an 18-year-old diver's air supply, leading to attempted murder charges. The incident occurred near Fisher Island during the annual mini season. Simpson later voluntarily surrendered and strongly denied the allegations in a statement.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Tom Rahill as the Grand Prize winner of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, awarded $10,000 for removing 96 Burmese pythons. Over 900 participants from 30 states and countries removed 280 invasive pythons during the 10-day event aimed at protecting Florida’s ecosystem.

A gator was found in a backyard pool in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Liliana Gonzalez discovered the alligator while inside her home and contacted authorities. A trapper safely relocated the reptile, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provided guidelines for handling similar situations.

Health officials in Miami-Dade County confirmed a locally acquired dengue case and are coordinating mosquito surveillance and prevention efforts. Dengue, a mosquito-borne illness causing flu-like symptoms, is not transmitted between people. Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is hosting National Night Out events on Aug. 4 in four Florida Keys locations to promote community engagement and public safety. The free event will feature interactions with law enforcement, military, and first responders, along with displays from specialized units and participating agencies.

Two Florida men, Christopher Monroe and Robert Czyszczon, were arrested for spreading hundreds of mothballs on a beach to deter protected black skimmer shorebirds. Wildlife officials traced the mothballs to Czyszczon, who owns a hotel, and found evidence of coordinated efforts to prevent the birds from nesting near his property.

Three divers were rescued from rough waters off Duck Key after being separated from their boat. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Navy Search and Rescue teams collaborated to locate and safely return the divers to their vessel.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a damaged boat at a dock in Lighthouse Point. A vessel near Northeast 31st Avenue sustained bow damage, with officials unsure if it struck the dock or was caused by another factor. One person was hospitalized following the incident.

Three divers were rescued off Duck Key after becoming separated from their boat, with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and federal crews including the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy Search and Rescue participating. A Navy helicopter located the divers quickly, and all three were safely reunited with their boat without injuries.

Florida officials, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard, are sharing safety tips and regulations for the two-day lobster harvest mini season in South Florida. They emphasized proper licensing, legal lobster sizes (minimum three-inch carapace), bag limits (6-12 lobsters per person depending on location), and boating safety measures like displaying dive flags and wearing life jackets.

At least three people were hospitalized after two boats collided in Biscayne Bay near West Broadview Drive in Bay Harbor Islands, causing one vessel to sink. First responders rescued victims, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident.

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) secretly investigated critics of its policies, including opponents of a bear hunt, by accessing their driving records and using highway surveillance cameras to track their movements. The agency's chair, Rodney Barreto, admitted to the practice but dismissed it as routine, despite no criminal investigations being active against the targets.

A Palm Bay woman credits her home security system with alerting her to a 7-foot, 6-inch alligator on her front porch, preventing a potential encounter. Authorities, including Palm Bay Police and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, safely removed the reptile after it exhibited aggressive behavior.

Florida regulators, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, failed to intervene as dozens of sloths died at a planned Orlando tourist attraction, according to internal emails obtained by Inside Climate News. The first warning about the sloths' fate reached the commission before any animals had arrived in Orlando.

An 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy, Brodie Dituri, lost his right hand in an alligator attack at Nelson’s Fish Camp in Marion County, Florida, during a family fishing trip. His father intervened to prevent a more severe outcome, and the family is now focused on Brodie’s medical recovery. A GoFundMe page has been established to cover his expenses.

An 11-year-old boy lost his right hand in an alligator attack while fishing with his father in Marion County, Florida. The father intervened to free his son, and the family is now focusing on recovery, considering prosthetic options. The responsible alligator was captured and killed.

An 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy, Brodie, is recovering after being attacked by an alligator during a fishing trip in Marion County, Florida. The incident occurred at Nelson’s Fish Camp near Umatilla, resulting in the amputation of his right hand. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $25,000 to support his recovery, and the responsible alligator was captured and killed.

Bite marks were used to identify a 12-foot alligator responsible for fatally attacking 31-year-old Brittany Clark while she swam in a Florida river. The attack occurred at Barr Street Trailhead in Little Big Econ State Forest, where Clark was hiking with friends and their dogs. The trailhead was closed for investigation.

A 12-foot alligator was identified through bite marks as the animal that fatally attacked 31-year-old Brittany Clark while she swam in a Florida river. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission killed the gator after the June 28 attack, and the Barr Street Trailhead was closed pending investigation.

Two people were injured, including one trauma patient, after a boat collided with the Harris Gap Channel Bridge in Sugarloaf Key, Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident.

A 71-year-old man in North Fort Myers, Florida, fought off an alligator while fishing by jabbing it in the eyes with a fishing pole, sustaining severe leg injuries. After escaping the attack, he used his dog to help him return home before receiving medical treatment in Cape Coral. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and a trapper are searching for the gator.

James Grayson McMicken survived an alligator attack while fishing in his backyard in north Fort Myers, Florida. He fought off the gator by jabbing it in the eyes with his fishing pole and used his bulldog to help him return to safety. McMicken is recovering at home after being hospitalized.

Body camera video from Florida authorities shows deputies responding to an alligator attack that killed 31-year-old Brittany Clark in Seminole County. Clark was attacked while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River during a drought, with her boyfriend attempting to rescue her before she died en route to the hospital.

Body camera video from Florida authorities shows deputies responding to an alligator attack that killed 31-year-old Brittany Clark in the Econlockhatchee River. The attack occurred in low water levels due to a statewide drought, and Clark died from severe injuries after being attacked while swimming with friends.

Body camera video shows Florida deputies responding to an alligator attack that killed 31-year-old Brittany Clark in the Econlockhatchee River. Clark was attacked while swimming with friends during a drought, which has lowered water levels in the area. Her boyfriend attempted to rescue her, but she died en route to the hospital.

A 2025 Memorial Day boat explosion near Fort Lauderdale's Sandbar killed one man and severely injured three others, including Cassandra Rivera and her two sons. The incident, caused by ignited fuel vapors in the engine compartment, led to calls for improved boating safety measures, especially for inboard boats.

Davide Veglia was killed in a hit-and-run boat collision in Biscayne Bay on March 25, leaving his widow, Marta Fasoli, and son seeking justice. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a 40-foot boat named Steel Dreams as the suspect vessel, which allegedly struck Veglia's seven-foot dinghy at high speed.

A string of three alligator attacks in seven days in Central Florida resulted in the death of 31-year-old Brittany Clark in Seminole County. Two large alligators were captured near the scene, and similar incidents occurred in Marion County and another location. Authorities noted Florida's high gator population but emphasized that attacks are uncommon.

A woman was killed in Florida after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River on June 28. The incident occurred in the Little Big Econ State Forest, and she later died from her injuries at a hospital.

A woman was killed after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Florida's Little Big Econ State Forest. The incident occurred on June 28, and she was swimming with a friend when the attack happened. She was hospitalized but later died from her injuries.

A woman was killed in Florida after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River. The attack occurred in Little Big Econ State Forest, and she later died from her injuries despite being taken to a hospital.

A 31-year-old woman died after being bitten by an alligator while swimming in a Central Florida river near a hiking trail outside Orlando. Authorities are working to trap the animal, and officials noted increased gator aggression during mating season.

A 31-year-old woman died after being attacked by an alligator while swimming in Seminole County's Little Econ River on June 28. This was the third gator attack in Central Florida within a week, including incidents in Marion County and Rainbow River. Since 1948, there have been over 500 alligator attacks with 33 deaths in Florida.

FWC investigators are seeking public information after 30-year-old Kellie Melinda Williams was found deceased on Hollywood Beach on June 3. She entered Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park around 10:30 a.m. and may have been snorkeling or diving, as evidenced by a floating dive flag and attire. Authorities urge witnesses or those with vessel-related details between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline.

George Pino faces manslaughter and vessel homicide charges after a 2022 boat crash that killed 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and injured 17-year-old Katerina Puig. Prosecutors allege criminal negligence, while his defense claims the crash was an accident, with closing arguments set for Monday.

The trial of George Pino, a real estate developer accused in a 2022 boating crash that killed Lucy Fernandez and injured Kathy Puig, entered its ninth day. Pino’s defense claims the crash was a tragic accident caused by high tide obstructing his view, while prosecutors argue against this narrative. Key witnesses, including Lucy’s father Andy and a survivor who reviewed body camera footage, testified, and closing arguments may occur Thursday.

A 23-year-old man, Akin Liverpool, was found dead in Brickell, Miami, after going missing following a charter boat trip. His family received confirmation of his death on Sunday, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has taken over the investigation.

Miami Police Department recovered a body from Biscayne Bay following a 911 call. The search is linked to 23-year-old Akin Liverpool, who was last seen on a charter boat in the area and is suspected to have fallen overboard. The body has not been officially identified, and the investigation remains ongoing.