The fallout didn’t stop there, as Canada’s Food Inspection Agency has now banned livestock imports from the affected U.S. regions. Meanwhile, Florida’s emergency rules demand veterinary inspections and paperwork for any animals arriving from those areas.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services quickly responded. On Friday, the agency announced new rules to keep the screwworm at bay, temporarily blocking all warm-blooded animals from infested regions until at least June 10. After that, any animals coming in will need to be certified by Florida officials two days before they arrive and have a veterinary inspection within five days of transport.

If animals arrive at the state border from high-risk zones without the correct paperwork, authorities will quarantine them and fine their suppliers. No exceptions. Any livestock from infested areas simply won’t get in.

“We need everyone onboard—government, ranchers, and the public—if we’re going to fight this thing,” Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said on X.

The New World screwworm is a fly whose larvae feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals after hatching from eggs deposited in wounds. Eradicated decades ago, it recently slipped back into the U.S., first showing up in Texas in a calf. It has spread north from Central America and Mexico, with only a minor outbreak in the Florida Keys back in 2017.

It’s a nightmare for livestock, but experts point out: this isn’t a food safety risk. Screwworms don’t affect the quality of beef, and the USDA says you can’t get the parasite from meat, poultry, or dairy products.

For Florida’s ranchers, though, an outbreak would hurt. Florida has around 1.5 million cattle, and cattle and dairy sales topped $2 billion in 2022. Ranchers are now under pressure to check their herds for any signs of the pest.

“We have to stay vigilant,” said representative Ken Durden, urging ranchers to inspect livestock, report infestations, and quarantine and treat affected animals fast to keep business running as usual. Yet, he reassured, “No one should panic.”
In fact, Florida ranchers have seen this kind of threat on the horizon. The Florida Cattlemen’s Association, together with the Florida Farm Bureau and state agriculture officials, has been preparing a plan for over a year. According to Durden, they’re ready to act, and the state’s in solid shape to respond.

The post Florida Enacts Emergency Border Restrictions Following the Return of the Flesh-Eating Screwworm in Texas appeared first on Englewood Review.

Just this week, things changed. On Monday, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck just off the coast of Cuba, and many people across Florida felt the tremors. A day later, another quake, a 4.3 this time, shook the same area.

The second quake hit Tuesday night, a little after 9 p.m., about 65 miles from Mantua, Cuba. It registered at a depth of about nine miles, according to the USGS. Both earthquakes happened in the same region and, according to seismologists, that’s pretty common. After a big quake, you often see aftershocks, smaller earthquakes that follow the main event.

The USGS says there have been at least three quakes along the Caribbean Plate in just the past 24 hours, but unless one hits a magnitude 6 or higher, folks in Florida probably won’t feel much.

That 6.1 earthquake on Monday wasn’t just a fluke, either. It’s one of the strongest ever recorded in the Gulf region. The only one that topped it was a 6.4 back in August 1959. After that comes this latest one, then a 5.9 in 2006, a 5.3 in 1992, and a 5.0 in 1978.

So, earthquakes aren’t as rare around here as we like to believe. Florida’s always had a shaky relationship with Mother Nature; it just picked up a new dance partner.

To check out the USGS Earthquake website, click here.

The post Florida Rattled by Back-to-Back Quakes: The Big Question, “Did You Feel It?” appeared first on Englewood Review.

Did you know that Lido Key Beach is home to a Black Skimmer colony, and right now is baby bird season? You might see skimmers feeding now and then in Charlotte County, but the nearest major nesting colony is just north at North Lido Beach in Sarasota. 

The Black Skimmer is actually a state-threatened species in Florida; coastal development and habitat loss have really put them at risk. Even the slightest disturbance from people, pets, or natural predators can jeopardize their chance of raising chicks.

If you visit to watch the skimmers, please keep your distance. The photographers took the photos for this story from far away, and you’ll spot a chick hovering next to their parents’ wings. 

Florida’s Black Skimmer nesting season runs from early May to September, with chicks usually hatching in July. Since they lay their eggs right on the sand, everything, eggs, chicks, and all, blends into the beach, making them dangerously easy to step on or run over. Beachgoers, pets, and predators pose enormous risks.

Early spring, in March and April, flocks settle on open sandy beaches, sandbars, and small coastal islands, sometimes hundreds of birds together. From May through September, the official nesting season begins. Pairs scrape little hollows in the sand and lay three to five eggs, which are so well-camouflaged that they disappear into the ground. 

The trouble is prime nesting overlaps with summer holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Increased crowds and fireworks can send the colonies into a panic. By July and August, chicks hatch, tiny, downy, and wandering, trying to survive both the intense sun and the surrounding commotion.

Why are these birds considered state-threatened? Their nests hide in plain sight; eggs and young blend with the sand, making them easy to trample or for beach-raking equipment to destroy. When people, pets, or predators get too close, the adult skimmers flush, taking off in alarm and leaving the chicks exposed to heat or waiting predators like crows and gulls. Habitat loss from development only piles on the pressure, shrinking the already limited space they need to survive.

Want to help the skimmers while enjoying the beach? Here’s what you can do:

— Respect posted signs and roped-off sections put up by Audubon Florida or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Please don’t cross into these protected areas or disturb the colony.
— Keep your distance. Use binoculars or a long lens if you want a closer look or a wonderful photo; don’t get too close.
— Leave your pets at home. Dogs are an enormous threat to ground-nesting birds, so skip bringing them along to nesting beaches.
— Pick up your trash. Litter draws in predators, raccoons, crows, and gulls that can wipe out a colony.

If you spot an unmarked nest site or see someone disturbing a colony, report it directly to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Every bit of awareness and care goes a long way for these amazing, vulnerable birds.

For more information, check out Audubon Florida.

The post Beachgoers Rejoice: Black Skimmer Baby Bird Season Is Officially Underway appeared first on Englewood Review.

Florida has a wide range of habitats: coastal mangroves, salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and dry uplands, and snakes make appearances across all these landscapes. Only six of the total 44 native species are venomous, but they all serve a purpose in the ecosystem. They keep rodent populations in check, which protects crops and lowers disease risk for humans. Nonvenomous snakes sometimes eat their venomous cousins, keeping things balanced. Even venomous snakes play a role, like certain rattlesnakes that feed on ticks.

Cottonmouth

Cottonmouths could be mistaken for water snakes. Adults are usually a solid dark color, sometimes with faint patterns, while juveniles show brown or tan with reddish-brown cross bands, and a bright yellow tail tip. Broad heads, dark stripes through the eyes, and deep pits between the nostrils and eyes are typical features. Though not aggressive by nature, it’s smartest to steer clear if you see one.

Eastern Diamondback

Eastern diamondbacks are impressive, being the largest rattlesnake in the U.S. Brown, yellow, or tan backgrounds, diamond-shaped marks, wide heads. Habitat loss and people who fear them put them at risk, so humans often cut their lives short, even though they could live over 20 years.

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Dusky pygmy rattlesnakes stay small, around 12-14 inches usually, and have gray coloring with black or charcoal blotches and a distinct reddish stripe down their back.

Coral Snake

Coral snakes are pretty elusive. They spend a lot of time underground, rarely growing longer than 30 inches, and you’ll spot them by their black noses and alternating bands of black, yellow, and red.

If you stumble across a snake in Florida, don’t rush to kill it. The FWC makes it clear: snakes rarely present immediate danger to people or pets, and bites only happen when the animal feels threatened. Even venomous snakes, whether in the woods or just crossing a road, aren’t something to fear; just leave them be. Snakes aren’t out to scare anyone; they’d rather avoid you and make a hasty retreat. If you see one, just pause and watch from a distance. The snake will move on soon enough.

Learn more about safely coexisting with our slithery friends by visiting the FWC Living with Snakes Guide.

The post Four of Florida’s Six Venomous Snake Species Inhabit Southern Florida appeared first on Englewood Review.

Unlike green iguanas, which mostly munch on plants and look a little goofy sunbathing after a chill, Nile monitors mean business. Their claws are razor-sharp, their tails double as paddles, and they hunt just about anything that moves on land or in the water. Wildlife officials rank them among the most dangerous invasive reptiles running wild in Florida right now.

Sightings aren’t just creeping up; they’re exploding, especially in the Florida Peninsula. Cape Coral is basically monitor lizard central these days. Lee County alone tops the charts with over 1,600 reports; Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward lag but are catching up. The state officially labeled Nile monitors as invasive and slapped them on the prohibited species list in April 2021. But by then, it was already a bit too late.

How did African lizards end up dominating South Florida canals? The story is all too familiar: the pet trade. Plenty of monitor lizards came into Florida as exotic pets. From there, some broke out of weak cages. Overwhelmed owners dumped others (and probably a few got loose when storms knocked out reptile facilities). Once loose, they found paradise, a network of canals that let them travel up and down the state almost undisturbed.

Biologically, Nile monitors are a kind of super-lizard. In Africa, they stick to wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Here, with so many canals and swamps, they glide right in. Adults can tip the scales at over 20 pounds and reach seven and a half feet if you let them. Most in Florida are smaller, yet any five-foot, 15-pound lizard is going to get your attention. They’re olive green to black, marked with yellow stripes on their head and jaw. Their tails are flat like paddles (perfect for swimming), and they can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes underwater. Up a tree, across a yard, in your canal, they handle it all.

The worst part is Nile monitors aren’t picky eaters. Wildlife officials call them “generalist feeders.” Basically, if it looks edible and they can overpower it, it’s dinner. Fish, frogs, turtles, birds (and eggs), small mammals, and even young crocodiles aren’t safe. Florida protects a lot of those species, especially eggs from sea turtles, gopher tortoises, and burrowing owls. And Nile monitors just raid the nests whenever they find them.

Nile monitor lizards are usually not aggressive toward people. But if cornered, they’ll bite, slash, or whip their tails. FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) says leave catching them to the professionals.

If you live in Cape Coral, you’ve probably seen their handiwork: burrows dug along canal banks, giant lizards wandering streets like they own the place.

Comparing them to green iguanas is almost unfair. While some iguanas grow large, Nile monitors are stockier, possess immense muscles, display blue tongues, and are clearly built for predation rather than plant-based diets.

The numbers don’t lie. Right now, Lee County’s up to 1,616 sightings, Palm Beach has 299, Miami-Dade has 76, and Broward has 68. The USGS backs this up; they say the species is well-established in Lee County and pushing out into neighboring areas. FWC says don’t just write off individual sightings in new places as escapees. Ignore them for too long, and there’s a new population.

Experts say that total eradication will not happen. The lizards have a big enough foothold now that we won’t wipe them out completely. That said, wildlife officials push for early reporting and fast response. FWC teams still pull Nile monitors from the wild, and anyone who spots one should call it in through the IveGot1 app or phone hotline. Homeowners can legally (and humanely) kill them on their own property, no permit required. Cape Coral has even started its own trapping program. Federal teams are busy at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

If you see something that looks like a Nile monitor lizard hanging around your canal or lakeshore, don’t catch it yourself. Snap a picture and contact FWC. Let’s not give these monitors any more of a head start.

The post Invasive Six-Foot Nile Monitor Lizards Spark Wildlife Warning Across South Florida appeared first on Englewood Review.

PRSAR does some tough work. Their volunteers track down missing people and help families facing the worst situations. What sets them apart is their creativity. They use dogs, but they also bring unusual partners into the mix, and Splash is living proof. He tackles rescue missions that even seasoned K9s can’t crack.

Splash, the Asian small-clawed otter, has found nine submerged targets so far, including crime scene evidence and human remains. Investigators rely on him to explore places dogs simply can’t go, often underwater areas that traditional methods miss.

He’s really changed the game. Splash dives in, using his sharp sense of smell and his whiskers, which work almost like sonar to locate objects hidden beneath murky water. When he picks up a scent, he signals his handlers through a tether line, letting them know it’s time to check his dive mask and get ready.

Forget the stereotype about otters just being playful; Splash is all business. He started training at four months old and made his first recovery by six. Now, after a year and a half with the search team, he’s racked up a record: nine recoveries, including two pieces of criminal evidence and seven sets of human remains.

The president of PRSAR is now compiling data, hoping to figure out whether law enforcement agencies should standardize underwater otter training protocols.

Splash’s success isn’t just luck. He’s walked the shoreline, tackled tough terrain, and kept a sharp focus during each forensic search. When he needs a break, he’s not afraid to rest on a towel and recharge before heading back to work.

Clearly, Splash has been a standout addition to Peace River K9 Search and Rescue. With him on board, investigators are uncovering clues and solving cold cases in ways nobody expected.

To read Englewood REVIEW’s original story about Splash, click here.Click here for more information about PRSAR.

The post Otter This World: Splash the Search-and-Rescue Superstar Steals the Show appeared first on Englewood Review.

There’s more shade now, with the trees spreading their canopy, so you can stroll in comfort. They’ve added extra shaded seats under the tent and pergolas, so you don’t have to hide from the sun. And when the heat gets to you, the gift shop offers a cool retreat, plus plenty of unique nature and art-inspired treasures to browse.

Wander the flower paths, hunt for world-class sculptures, or just relax and take in the peaceful vibe, as the Gardens feel refreshing and inspiring this time of year. Bring the family for a visit you won’t forget.

Summer hours run Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The last entry is at 1:15 p.m. Click here for more information.

The post Summer Rains Awaken Peace River Gardens With Millions Of Blooms appeared first on Englewood Review.

Manatees capture the hearts of locals and visitors alike, but many of us know little about their secret lives beneath the water. Dr. Brady has spent years studying how manatees communicate and behave, focusing especially on their vocalizations. She’ll share fresh insights from ongoing research, update us on current conservation strategies, and talk candidly about the threats manatees encounter as our coasts grow busier and more developed.

She’ll also introduce the Guardian Guide Program, which provides tools and resources for outdoor guides, eco-tour leaders, and educators, helping them foster responsible habits and environmental care in their work.

Dr. Beth Brady is a Research Associate with Save the Manatee Club. Her work zeroes in on manatee vocalizations, behavior, and the real-life ways research can support conservation and management. Beyond science, Dr. Brady spends a lot of time in the community, spreading awareness and connecting people with opportunities to help Florida’s waterways and wildlife.

Since 1981, Save the Manatee Club has worked to safeguard manatees and their aquatic habitats through research, outreach, and advocacy. Their goal: to secure a future for manatees in Florida and beyond. Learn more at savethemanatee.org.

SUP Englewood organizes Coffee & Conservation to spark a deeper connection between our community and the ecosystems that make Englewood unique. Each month, different speakers highlight timely topics around local wild spaces and waterways, aiming to educate and inspire action.

Join SUP Englewood on June 16, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., in the Community Room at the Chamber of Commerce. You’ll leave with a stronger understanding of how manatees communicate, the challenges they face, and simple ways, whether as an individual or as a business, to protect them.  

Event Details
Date: June 16, 2026 
Time: 9:00 a.m.—10:30 a.m. 
Location: Englewood Chamber of Commerce 
RSVP: supenglewood.com/coffee-conservation/ 
Cost: Free (Suggested donation $10–20) 
Refreshments: Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries from The Dearborn Coffeehouse & Bakery.

Space is limited, and an RSVP is required. Your donation, if you choose to make one, helps keep local conservation work strong. Grab a pastry, pour yourself a coffee, and join other conservation-minded folks, outdoor businesses, and neighbors as we learn, connect, and make a real difference for our manatees and local environment.

Click here to save your spot now.

The post SUP Englewood Hosts “Coffee & Conservation” Featuring Manatee Expert Dr. Beth Brady appeared first on Englewood Review.

The panther is on the Endangered Species list, but that label hasn’t stopped developers from tearing up the landscape. The cats don’t have enough truly protected ground to survive, and that’s pushing them closer to the edge. Nearly a third of South Florida’s forests vanished since the 1930s, replaced by rows of houses and fields. And as the land fragments, the panther’s odds of making a comeback shrink.

This is even more disturbing as we learn the news that Florida lawmakers just cut all new funding for Florida Forever, the state’s leading land conservation program, for the upcoming year. Three years ago, they promised at least $100 million annually. Now, they’re set to vote on a budget that breaks that promise, leaving the program empty-handed.

It wasn’t always so grim. Florida panthers once roamed as far west as Louisiana and blanketed much of the Southeast. Now, almost every breeding panther lives south of the Caloosahatchee River. The best science, particularly from biologists like Kautz and his colleagues, marks Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties as the “Primary Zone,” the last stronghold. If these lands disappear, so do the panthers.

Groups like the Conservancy of Southwest Florida keep fighting to protect these last key areas. They push back against projects like Rural Lands West, a sprawling 4,100-acre development planned for the heart of panther territory, insisting new growth moves outside the core habitats that panthers need most.

Connecting these isolated scraps of wild land matters. Panthers need space, and development keeps squeezing them into smaller pockets. They end up cut off by roads and neighborhoods. For the population to spread north and grow, wildlife corridors must link these isolated “islands” of habitat. But roads can be deadly. Each year, cars kill a heartbreaking number of panthers as they try to cross highways that slice up their territory. Smarter road designs and new corridors can give them a fighting chance, letting them move safely and helping keep their populations alive.

Then there’s intraspecific aggression, territorial fights between panthers themselves. When habitats shrink, panthers crowd together. Males need about 200 square miles; females, about 75. When they’re boxed in, fights break out, and the weaker cats don’t survive. Protecting large, connected habitats eases this pressure, cutting down on deadly clashes.

Back in 2017, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started a review of the panther’s status, looking at the latest research to decide whether the animal should stay listed as Endangered. Downlisting or delisting could strip protections, while relisting as a “Distinct Population Segment” brings new debates. But given what the panther is up against, shrinking habitats, rising populations, more roads, and increasing isolation, keeping it listed as Endangered feels necessary.

Florida panthers have shaped these ecosystems for thousands of years. They’re more than symbols; they’re part of the landscape. Picked as the state mammal by Florida students in 1982, the panther’s fight for survival is the fight for Florida’s wild future. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, along with its partners, is determined to keep that future alive, pushing for top-level protections so these cats can keep prowling Florida’s wildlands for generations to come.

For more information, contact The Conservancy of Southwest Florida at conservancy.org.

The post Racing Against Time: How the Endangered Florida Panther is Fueling the Fight to Save Southwest Florida’s Wild Spaces appeared first on Englewood Review.

Your Pet’s Hurricane Go-Bag

Start by putting together an emergency go-bag. Gather enough food and water for at least a week to ten days. That’s one gallon of water per pet per day, and don’t forget sealed, non-perishable food. Medications are easy to overlook in a rush, so pack at least two weeks’ worth, sealed in something waterproof. You’ll also need printed vaccine records and that all-important rabies certificate. Many pet-friendly shelters won’t let you in without proof.

Don’t stop there. Toss in a few comfort items, maybe your pet’s favorite blanket or toy. Include travel bowls, something for cleaning up, and if you have a cat, litter and a portable pan. Having these little touches can help your animal stay calm in chaos.

ID is critical. Register your pet’s microchip and keep your contact information current. Check that collar, too. The ID tag needs your current cell number. Slip a recent photo of you with your pet into the go-bag; it makes reunions much easier if you get separated.

Know your shelter options before the storm. Public shelters and pet-friendly hotels fill up in a hurry. Print a list of nearby boarding places, hotels, and vets outside your area. Don’t wait to look these up at the last minute. Most shelters insist you bring your own crate or carrier. It is first-come, first-served and vaccination records are non-negotiable.

Before the storm hits, bring your pets inside early. Get them to a safe spot without windows. If you need to leave in a hurry, have a carrier and a slip leash ready where you can grab them. Always check the latest list of open shelters from the county’s emergency management office or the state disaster guide as the storm approaches.

Never leave animals behind when there’s an evacuation order. Your pets depend on you to make these calls and keep them safe.

The post From Scales to Tails: How to Pack the Perfect Go-Bag for Your Furry Friends appeared first on Englewood Review.