FWC, Partners Rescue Cold-stunned Sea Turtles

Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.

Here is more Florida cold weather reports; seems like I'm not the only one suffering from the cold! (Even though I'm halfway around the world!)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and

Wildlife Rescue Partners Rescue Cold-stunned Sea Turtles

Recent cold temperatures in Florida left many cold-stunned sea turtles close to death, floating listlessly in the water. Working with staff from county, state and federal agencies as well as volunteers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists helped to coordinate the rescue of hundreds of sea turtles this week.

Rescuers pulled more than 250 stunned turtles from the frigid waters. The majority of the rescues took place in the Cape Canaveral area of Brevard County. However, rescues also took place in Indian River, Gulf and Pinellas counties.

Most of the sea turtles affected by the recent cold weather in Florida are green turtles, with smaller numbers of loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys, as well as one hawksbill turtle. FWC biologists predict the majority of the affected turtles will survive.

The FWC and its partners worked together to pick up the turtles and transport them to places where they can recover from the cold shock. Sea turtle rehabilitation facilities throughout the state are housing these animals until they can be released when temperatures warm.

When the water temperature drops, stunned sea turtles may float listlessly in the water or wash onto shore. Although these turtles may appear to be dead, they are often still alive. However, in this listless condition, they are especially vulnerable to further impacts from the weather and may become prey to scavengers.

With temperatures increasing, biologists are hopeful that, for now, turtles will no longer be in need of rescue.

Stranded sea turtles and all other distressed wildlife should be reported to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

For additional information on fish and wildlife research, visit http://research.myfwc.com/.


Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

FWC Rescues Young Manatee from Chilly Waters

FWC Rescues Young Manatee from Chilly Waters

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) rescued a young male manatee in St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

The 7-foot juvenile manatee was thin and showed signs of cold stress. This condition, which can result in death, occurs as a result of exposure to water temperatures below 68 degrees for long periods of time. Biologists also were concerned that the manatee was far from any warm-water sites, where manatees typically go to seek refuge from cold water temperatures. Because of these factors, biologists determined that the young manatee should be pulled from the chilly waters of Bayboro Harbor.

The rescue took place just outside the FWRI headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. Biologists learned of the cold-stressed manatee when a concerned resident reported it.

After the rescue, biologists transported the manatee to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for rehabilitation.

To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

For more information on manatee research, visit http://research.MyFWC.com/manatee.

Cold Weather May Lead to Florida Fish Kills

Cold Weather May Lead to Florida Fish Kills

The recent cold weather in Central Florida has resulted in several cold-related fish kills in Volusia, Brevard and Indian River counties. Chilly winter temperatures can lead to fish die-offs in Florida's marine habitats, rivers and lakes.

The good news is that these events are natural occurrences and typically do not cause permanent damage to the ecosystem or to fish populations. In some cases they are even beneficial, in that they help limit the spread of invasive, exotic species.

Fish kills are often caused by sudden temperature fluctuations or by extended periods of extreme temperatures. Such kills can occur any time of the year in Florida, but they are most common in winter, when air temperatures drop. Although water stays relatively warm for awhile after the air cools, extended cold snaps can cause water temperatures in inland water bodies and estuaries to drop. The cold may kill fish outright by cold stress or weaken them so that they are more susceptible to disease. Another phenomenon, called lake-turnover, may occur when suddenly cooled surface water sinks and mixes with deeper, oxygen-poor water. This can cause fish to suffocate, often leading them to gulp at the surface before they die.

Warm-water species, including popular game fish like snook, are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. Exotic species such as butterfly peacock bass, tilapia, and sucker-mouth catfish are also especially susceptible to cold weather.

Fish affected by the cold may appear lethargic and may be seen at the surface where the water may be warmer from the sun. All recreational regulations still apply to fish impacted by the cold temperatures, even if they appear to be dead or dying.

It is important for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scientists to keep track of the location and extent of fish kills in natural lakes and estuaries, to see if there are problems developing in an ecosystem that might require investigation or restorative measures. Although it is not necessary to report fish kills in private ponds, FWC scientists can assist the public by providing information about cold-weather fish kills in these water bodies. Residents can report fish kills in natural water bodies to the FWC at http://research.MyFWC.com/fishkill/submit.asp or call the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511. For more information on fish kills, visit http://research.myfwc.com/ and select "Fish and Wildlife Health" under the "Explore" section.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Comission Commissioner Speaks Up

Florida FWC Commissioner Encourages
Speaking Up for the Wildlife

Rodney Barreto, Chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made this comment regarding the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe and the region's wildlife.

"We must speak up for Florida's wildlife

As an unprecedented crisis spews oil into the Gulf of Mexico, our ocean, our fish and our wildlife suffer immediate and devastating impacts.

Image courtesy MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA

Oil Slick is Visible from Space

The good people on the Gulf coast are fighting for their very livelihoods because of the impacts of the oil spill, but they have strong voices coming to their aide, and they are beginning to get help.

Florida's fish and wildlife cannot cry out for help. That means it is up to us as the state's fish and wildlife managers to come to their rescue and speak out for them.

Therefore, I urge BP to take responsibility for the oiled wildlife and their degraded habitats by setting aside funding now that will support the long-term survival of impacted wildlife and restore habitat for the long term.

Image: Angie Chestnut

Black Mangrove Breathing Tubes

Florida's fish and wildlife are incredibly important to the state and are two of Florida's main attractions. Residents and tourists alike revel in spotting a bottlenose dolphin playing in the surf. Can we even envision a Florida without ospreys or pelicans soaring over our beaches? Our wildlife are a critical part of our ecosystem, our livelihood and the unique character of Florida.

Unfortunately, many of them will die from the impact of the oil. Those that manage to survive may not have the healthy habitats necessary to thrive unless something is done now for their long-term survival.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), along with federal and state partners, threw itself into the protection of wildlife almost immediately after word of the disaster broke. Our biologists are actively involved in creating protocols for damage assessment for wildlife. But funding is limited, and lack of dollars could very well translate into a lack of fish, wildlife and habitat in the future.

We are doing everything we can to lessen the impacts - some of these steps are risky, but it would be far riskier and irresponsible of us to not do everything in our power to protect species that might be decimated with the onslaught of oil.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the FWC are undertaking an unprecedented task of moving sea turtle eggs from the northern Gulf beaches. Approximately 700 nests are laid on the beaches of Northwest Florida each year. The hatchlings begin appearing in early July and, in a normal year, face challenges in getting to the sea unharmed. But this year, the additional challenges created by the presence of oil pose increased dangers that could spell certain death for all of the hatchlings. We are going to move the eggs to the east coast, and when they hatch, put the small turtles on the sand to do their march to the sea.

Is it risky? You bet. Will it make a difference? Absolutely. At least now we know that some of 2010's Northwest Florida sea turtle hatchlings - all of them threatened or endangered - will have a fighting chance to survive the worst oil disaster in our nation's history.

We continue to fight for the welfare of Florida's precious wildlife that cannot speak, but we can speak. We are their voice, and we say loud and clear, "BP, open your purse strings and save our fish and wildlife so our grandchildren and great grandchildren will not have to learn about our wild animals from textbooks and museums because they became the dinosaurs of the 21st century."



Now is the time to take extreme measures to save our precious resources. Fish and wildlife are critical to Florida's survival. Without the benefits they bring to our everyday lives, Florida would not be the special place it is today. It's time to take responsibility for that survival, and BP holds the key."

 Rodney Barreto, Chairman, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Chairman Rodney Barreto Addresses Python Program Expansion

.
Chairman Rodney Barreto Addresses
Python Program Expansion

"It’s a natural step because, historically, hunters have been instrumental in conserving wildlife across this great country."

Chairman Rodney Barreto

Florida Wildlife Commission

Exotic animal species are common throughout the southern half of Florida. Iguanas fall out of trees during cool spells in Miami, Cuban tree frogs are everywhere eating not only bugs but native frogs as they go, African monitor lizards, ornery and mean in the best of times and up to 7 feet long, are patrolling canals in Cape Coral. Even Vervet monkeys have a colony near a car rental lot in Fort Lauderdale. And of course Burmese pythons are eating alligators in the Everglades, to say nothing of coons, birds and fish.

Chairman Rodney Barreto commented recently on the efforts to stem the tide of the most troubling invasive animal in Florida, the Burmese python. It is important to note the positive comments about hunter's positive contributions to wildlife management and conservation.

Chairman Barreto writes:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) initiated a program on July 17 to help stop the spread of Burmese pythons in Florida. This program is only the first step in our efforts to stop the spread of these invaders.

We issued permits to 13 python experts to capture and euthanize any reptile of concern found in specific state-managed lands in South Florida. This initial program will run until Oct. 31, at which time we will consider expanding it. So far, the permit holders have captured 17 pythons and provided us with data on location, size and habits.

We are encouraged that the permit holders have captured that many pythons. Each python removed means one less python in the wild and one less python with the potential to reproduce 100 eggs in a season. While there are thousands of pythons in South Florida, the majority of the population occurs in Everglades National Park, which is not a part of our permit program.

The state-managed lands where pythons may be captured under this new permit program represent the northern-most range for Burmese pythons. To destroy even one of these nonnative invasive reptiles is a victory in the battle to stop the spread of pythons elsewhere in Florida.

We anticipate many more pythons will be captured as the weather cools and pythons come out to sun themselves during the day.

But we haven’t limited our python removal efforts to the 13 experts; we’ve expanded them to include hunters. It’s a natural step because, historically, hunters have been instrumental in conserving wildlife across this great country. Beginning with the first hunt of the 2009-2010 season, hunters on specific wildlife management areas in South Florida may take any reptile of concern they encounter during the course of their hunting excursion. If it’s archery season, they may take a python with a bow and arrow and any other instrument that’s legal to posses on the area during that season. If it’s muzzleloader season, they may use that type of gun to take the species. This special order, issued by the FWC’s executive director, includes alligator hunters on these state-managed areas.

We are asking the hunters to provide information about any reptiles of concern they kill in order to compile more complete information about the species.

Burmese pythons have invaded our native habitat, at least partly, because of people releasing them into the wild. We urge people with an exotic nonnative pet they can no longer keep, to turn in the reptile at Pet Amnesty Days held around the state. The next one is scheduled for Nov. 7 in the Tampa area. No matter what – never release a nonnative animal into the wild.

The FWC takes its responsibility for managing fish and wildlife seriously, and our priority always will be protection and conservation of native species. The difficult challenges already facing native wildlife – habitat loss and human population increases – are compounded by the threat of Burmese pythons being loose in the wild.

Discussions are continuing on how best to manage the Burmese python problem, and the FWC is dedicated to working with all of our partners – Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – through special programs, scientific efforts and legislative action. Our mission of managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people is clearly shown in our dedication and new programs to stop the spread of all nonnative species in Florida.

Sincerely,

Rodney Barreto
Chairman
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Animal Magnetism: American Crocodiles Looking for Love

Fortuitously, the American crocodile has increased its numbers, to the point that folks are having more numerous encounters with them. In order to avoid any problems, the "nuisance" crocs are relocated, there in lies the problem...

FWC Biologists Use Magnets to Keep Nuisance Crocodiles Away

February 23, 2009
Contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459

Magnets usually attract, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) want magnets to do just the opposite. FWC biologists are studying if magnets can keep state-endangered American crocodiles from returning to situations where they are not welcome, primarily in neighborhoods in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Crocodile-human interactions have increased as the crocodile population has recovered. One technique to resolve these conflicts is translocation. This involves capturing the crocodile and moving it to suitable crocodile habitat as far away as possible, in an attempt to keep it away from an area. However, translocation is seldom effective. FWC biologists have found that translocated crocodiles will travel an average of 10 miles per week to return to their capture site, in a practice called "homing." Others never make it because they are hit and killed by vehicles as they cross roads. Some may be killed by other crocodiles at the release site or during their journey back.

In an effort to break the "homing" cycle, FWC biologists have initiated a new study. Crocodile agents have been instructed to attach magnets to both sides of the crocodile's head at the capture site. It is hoped the magnets will disorient the crocodiles and disrupt their navigation, so they can't find their way back to the capture site. The magnets are removed from the crocodile's head upon release. Agents will also secure a colored tag to the crocodile's tail, so returning crocodiles can be identified later.

"Scientists in Mexico have reported success in using magnets to break the homing cycle," said Lindsey Hord, FWC crocodile response coordinator. "The results of the study are promising. If it proves successful here, we could gain an effective technique to resolve crocodile-human conflicts."

If a nuisance crocodile continues to return to the capture site, or its behavior presents an unacceptable risk to people, under certain circumstances, it could be removed from the wild and placed into captivity.

You should never approach a crocodile, and if you see one that concerns you, call the FWC's Statewide Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) to report the animal.

To learn more about the American crocodile in Florida visit MyFWC.com/crocodile.


Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...