It's great news for conservationists, biologists and boaters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's manatee count the week of Jan. 19 turned in - by far - the highest number of animals recorded since counts began in 1991, with a remarkable total count of 3,807 manatees statewide. ...more

February 1, 2009

A record number of manatees were spotted last week during an annual count, a sign the endangered mammal might be recovering in some parts of Florida. ...more

January 29, 2009

State scientists counted a record number of manatees during an annual survey last week, a sign the endangered mammal might be recovering in some areas of Florida. ...more

January 28, 2009

Gus Muench contributed to the tens of thousands of propeller scars that pock the seagrass beds in Cockroach Bay. ...more

January 28, 2009

Dusk descends quickly over the Celery Fields, and just as quickly the birders line up like paparazzi along Palmer Boulevard, their cameras trained on the shallow ponds immediately north. ...more

January 25, 2009

From dogs and Segways to helicopters and armored personnel carriers, law enforcement officials have assembled a smorgasbord of equipment and personnel to protect people attending the Super Bowl on Feb. 1. ...more

January 23, 2009

From dogs and Segways to helicopters and armored personnel carriers, law enforcement officials have assembled a smorgasbord of equipment and personnel to protect those attending the Feb. 1 Super Bowl. Local, state and federal agencies showed off some of their gear for reporters today at the headquarters for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, across North Himes Avenue from Raymond James Stadium. ...more

January 22, 2009

To look at Middle Lake today, you wouldn't think it was once 150 acres of water filled with large-mouth bass, blue gill and crappie. ...more

January 18, 2009

A multiagency effort to keep waterways safe during the Super Bowl is under way in the Tampa area. Among the collaborating agencies are the federal Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hillsborough and Manatee county sheriff's offices and St. Petersburg and Tampa police departments. ...more

January 15, 2009

Wildlife authorities are asking for the public's help this morning in locating a rhesus macaque monkey that is on the loose. ...more

January 14, 2009