Pets/Wildlife

The Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents and visitors how to help conserve native species and reduce conflicts with them.

As the weather warms, many species begin to migrate, mate, feed and nest, which means people are more likely to encounter wildlife and should take precautions to avoid disrupting these natural behaviors and prevent conflicts, according to a news release.

The FWC offers these tips on how to enjoy and help conserve Florida wildlife:

• Sea Turtles: These reptiles start to nest in the spring. Keep beaches dark at night and free of obstacles during nesting season (through October). Artificial light can disturb nesting sea turtles and disorient hatchlings.Avoid using flash- lights and cellphones on the beach, too.Turn out lights or close curtains and shades in buildings along the beach after dark. Clear away boats and beach furniture; fill in holes in the sand that could entrap turtles.

• Manatees: For boaters, spring is a critical time to be on the lookout for manatees, to avoid collisions with these mammals, at a time when manatees travel the coastal waterways along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and other inland waters. Boaters should follow posted speed limits; many areas have seasonal zones that reflect manatee migration patterns.

• Gopher Tortoises: This native tortoise be- comes more active in the spring, foraging for food and searching for a mate. If you see gopher tortoises or their half-moon shaped burrow entrances, leave them alone. If you find a tortoise crossing a road, pick it up and place it in a safe location along the roadside in the direction it was heading. Never attempt to put the tortoise into water.

• Nesting birds: Keep your distance from shorebirds and seabirds on the beach, and wading birds nesting on mangrove and tree islands. Disturbance can cause birds to flush from their breeding sites, which exposes their eggs and chicks to predators and extreme heat. Shorebirds and seabirds nest in shallow scrapes in the sand, and their eggs and chicks are well-camouflaged. People should look out to avoid stepping on them and avoid walking through flocks of birds.

• Bears: During the spring, females teach their cubs what to eat and the skills necessary to survive. Make sure bears cannot find food in the garbage, or pet food or bird seed in your yard.

• Bats: Bat maternity season runs from April through Aug. 15. During this time, it is illegal to block bats from their roosts, as flightless young can be trapped inside a structure and die. Exclusion devices that allow bats to exit a structure but block them from returning are the only legal and appropriate method to remove bats from your home or building.

• Snakes: If you come across a snake in your yard or on a hike, stand back and observe it. Snakes do not purposefully position themselves to frighten people, but would rather avoid encounters and usually will flee.

• Injured and orphaned wildlife: If you find a baby animal, it is best to leave it alone. Baby animals rarely are orphaned; a parent may be nearby searching for food or observing its young. Instead, report wildlife that you think may be injured or orphaned to the nearest FWC office.

It is illegal to disturb or harm wildlife; if you en- counter someone who is not following the rules, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404- 3922, or #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/news and click on Spring Wildlife News.

Published on June 8, 2022.