Invasive Species

The Everglades seldom benefit from invasive species. But now, as non-native apple snails disappear, the endangered Everglades bird, the snail kite, is paying the price.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says 5,195 invasive green iguanas were removed from Florida's ecosystems under an executive order thanks to the efforts of members of the public, partners, and staff.

Climate change has pushed some native Florida species north. While the reptiles prefer South Florida’s climate, they have been spotted around the bay area.

The approved changes will allow more Floridians to collect invasive, live green iguanas and to facilitate sale of those live green iguanas out of Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting the annual event beginning Saturday through Sept. 14 to encourage the public to hunt and remove the invasive, venomous species.

A veterinarian and conversation expert spoke about invasive and nonnative organisms during a special live show of "The Florida Roundup," recorded at Zoo Miami.

We go to Zoo Miami for a special show with a studio audience. Guests were Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Dr. Frank Ridgley, the head of the Conservation and Research Department at Zoo Miami.

As concerns grow about the impact of herbicides on manatees, new studies point to water lettuce’s roles in aquatic ecosystems.

Because Florida was hit by two hurricanes weeks apart, experts say there is a lot of possible overlap when it comes to invasive plants and animals.

The invasive Peters’s rock agama lizard has spread to Central Florida, with sightings in Seminole, Polk and Volusia counties, according to UF/IFAS.

It's meant to incentivize hunters to capture the invasive snakes to win prizes among a share of $30,000. The grand prize winner with the most snakes humanely killed gets $10,000.

States like Florida and Texas have long borne the brunt of the pig problem and struggled to manage it as the situation grows more dire nationally. Officials have incentivized hunters by instituting few restrictions. But some people, including hunters themselves, question whether the approach is overkill.