Less than a week left to legally block bats from your Florida home before maternity season
If you've lived in Florida long enough, you know that critters are just part of the equation. From raccoons and birds of all kinds to gopher tortoises, gators and bats. Living in the Sunshine State means sharing our habitat.
Florida senator nixes proposal to ban dogs from sticking heads out of car windows: report
Florida Sen. Lauren Book filed a bill intended to protect animals, and the legislation included a proposal that would make it illegal to let a dog stick its head out of a window of a moving car. But after getting feedback on that proposal, Book reportedly plans to amend the bill and remove that ban from the legislation.
White squirrels, Casanova Killer, sago palm dangers: The digital features that fascinated you in 2022
From white squirrels and poisoned puppies to a Jacksonville serial killer and local entrepreneurs, our News4JAX.com team worked hard this year to showcase a variety of special content for our online audience.
Jacksonville zookeeper โviciouslyโ attacked by bear suffered lacerations on head, back, thighs: police report
The 35-year-old zookeeper who was โviciouslyโ attacked Wednesday by a 5-year-old North American black bear at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens suffered many lacerations on her head, back and thighs, according to a police report obtained Thursday by News4JAX.
Bear fatally shot after escaping exhibit, injuring keeper at Jacksonville Zoo
A 5-year-old North American black bear that escaped an exhibit behind the scenes at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Wednesday evening and โengagedโ with a zookeeper was fatally shot by the zooโs lethal weapons team, officials said.
Jacksonville Humane Society prepares for another National Adoption Weekend
The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) and Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to save the lives of cats and dogs in Americaโs shelters by 2025, are teaming up for another adoption campaign to encourage people to adopt a new best friend.
Clay County Animal Services needs your help this holiday season to find forever homes for long-term shelter dogs
Clay County Animal Services is teaming up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and the Petfinder Foundation this holiday season to help long-term shelter dogs in Clay County find their forever homes.
Pet owners in Springfield on edge after multiple family cats disappear, including 2 later found dead in dumpster
Pet owners in the Springfield area who were already on edge following the recent disappearance of multiple cats are even more on edge after an incident involving a family cat was caught on video.
Now is time to block bats from getting into your home, FWC says
Bats serve a purpose in Florida's ecosystem, so there are certain times of the year when Florida residents aren't allowed to disturb them. But bat maternity season is over and now is the time to bat proof your home, state wildlife officials say.
K9s United VP: Quick action by first responders, vet staff likely saved life of JSO K-9 Huk
K9s United Vice President Jay Nix said a new Florida law that the nonprofit helped pass allows first responders to take immediate action when a police dog is injured. That quick action Friday likely saved the life of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office K-9 Huk after he was shot in the line of duty.
Watch out for nesting birds while youโre celebrating Independence Day weekend
Before you head out to the beach to celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding beachgoers to protect vulnerable beach-nesting birds while youโre having fun.
Florida wildlife officials preparing to aid manatees after record deaths
After a record number of manatee deaths mostly linked to malnutrition, state and federal wildlife officials hope to double rescue and rehabilitation capacity before the sea cows again congregate in warm waters during the winter.
Feral cat with rabies prompts warning for Glynn County
A feral cat on the south end of St. Simons Island tested positive for rabies after acting aggressively toward a family dog on Tuesday, according to the Glynn County Health Department. The dog is up to date on rabies vaccinations and was taken to a local veterinarian for treatment.
Teens got bull shark from stranger, gutted it & stored it at friendโs home before hoisting it from Ponte Vedra High: FWC
Two teenagers got a bull shark from a stranger who caught it in Mayport last week and then they gutted it and stored the dead fish with ice overnight at a friendโs house before hoisting it from the rafters at Ponte Vedra High School as a senior prank, according to an incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission obtained Wednesday by News4JAX.
PETA sends letter to St. Johns County superintendent after dead shark hung from Ponte Vedra High rafters
PETA said it sent a letter to St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson on Tuesday offering lessons on kindness to animals after a dead shark was hung from the rafters at Ponte Vedra High School last week.
How you can help shorebirds during nesting season in Florida
With shorebird and seabird nesting season underway, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission thanks building owners for hosting species such as black skimmers, least terns, roseate terns and American oystercatchers that nest on their roofs from March through August.
Area pet owners mourn loss of beloved veterinarian who died in traffic crash
A local veterinarian described as โwarm,โ โfriendly,โ and โincredibleโ by clients was killed in a traffic collision Saturday, according to a social media post by the San Jose Beauclerc Animal Hospital in Jacksonville.