Cavorting in a wake and staying shipshape

Article posted by Florida Gazette. Photo by Amanda Nalley
Miami-Even though these dolphins look like they are close to the very large ship, they frequently ‘bow-ride’ or ‘surf’ the bow wakes of vessels both large and small. Scientists say they may be using the propulsion to get where they are going faster. Dolphins show a high degree of intelligence and have a wide range of vocalizations. They often hunt together and will even take care of an injured pod-member. Scientists say two males of the same age often form a lifelong bond and will spend the majority of their time together, helping each other to find food and mates? Inshore dolphins live in small social groups of around 10 individuals; while offshore dolphins form larger groups of 10-100. Wildlife Experts say, "When on the water, please try to observe them from a distance of at least 50 yards."

Monkey Jumping Around Tampa Florida

Article by Florida Gazette. Photo by the City Of  Tampa
Tampa-Even the dispatchers were caught off guard over the weekend when the first call came in about a monkey on the loose. Residents of Tampa Florida started to call 911 after a monkey was seen hopping around a tampa neighborhood earlier this week. One caller said," Did someone lose a monkey" to which the dispatcher said,"not that I know of." Tampa Police said, "We are still trying to recover the monkey so if you see it running or jumping around call us at 813-231-6130."

Adam Putnam Receives BlueGreen Award for Conservation Leadership

Article and Graphic by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
WESTON, FL – The Wildlife Foundation of Florida recognized Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam Saturday with the BlueGreen Award for Conservation Leadership for his outstanding support for the conservation of Florida's world-renowned wildlife. Presented annually, the award acknowledges sportsmen, business leaders, elected officials and engaged citizens who make a lasting difference for the future of Florida's wildlife — and wildlife habitat.
“It's an honor to receive this award from an organization that truly understands, and works so hard to conserve, the immeasurable value of Florida's wildlife and wildlife habitat,” Putnam said. “I'm proud to work alongside organizations like the Wildlife Foundation of Florida to conserve the economic, cultural and recreational value of our wildlife resources for Florida's next generation.”
Putnam received the award during the Wildlife Foundation of Florida's third annual BlueGreen event in Weston, Florida.
"On behalf of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, I want to thank Commissioner Putnam for his efforts to preserve and protect Florida's precious wildlife resources," said Rodney Barreto chairman of WFF. "Adam has been instrumental in helping develop and support a strong connection between fish and wildlife conservation and traditional agricultural practices. Without this type of support and coordination, effective conservation in Florida is much tougher.”
In addition to managing more than 1 million acres of state forests and creating Operation Outdoor Freedom, which provides recreational opportunities for wounded veterans on state forest and agricultural lands, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services operates the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program acquires perpetual agricultural conservation easements that ensure privately owned lands are preserved in agricultural use while providing for the protection of vital natural resources. There are more than 5,000 acres of privately owned land in Florida protected as part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
The department also partners with Florida's ranchers, farmers and landowners to implement both water and wildlife best management practices. To date, more than 10 million acres of agricultural lands have adopted water-saving techniques and implemented new technologies to protect and conserve Florida's water supply. Collectively, agricultural producers saved more than 1 billion gallons of water last year.

FWC Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Seven.

Article by David Lear. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tells us complaints came in via the Wildlife Alert hotline about suspected deer pouching in Washington and Holmes counties. Officers with the FWC investigated and after collecting a lot of evidence, they found that seven individuals were killing deer during the closed season and at night and selling the meat illegally for profit. The suspects, four adults and three juveniles, were charged with various misdemeanors and felonies, including taking deer during closed season, selling illegally taken wildlife and littering. Their firearms were seized, as was more than 150 pounds of venison, which was donated to a charitable organization.