Displaced Flamingos | Lolita’s Death | Cannibal Gator: FL Animal News

FLORIDA — Florida is known for being home to all kinds of critters - gators and bears, migrating sharks, displaced flamingos, and even invasive species like iguanas and pythons.

Here are some animals that grabbed top headlines in the Sunshine State in 2023.

ZooTampa Celebrates Baby Endangered White Rhino's Birth

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is reporting record-breaking attendance and honors as a top zoo by Trip Advisor and USA Today in 2023.

FL Man Stole Rare Tortoises, Books, Comics: Police

A St. Pete man stole two Galapagos tortoises from St. Augustine Alligator Farm and rare books from Haslam's, Lighthouse Books, police said.

White Claw-Guzzling 3-Legged Bear Raids Fridge At FL Home: Report

A three-legged bear named Tripod broke into the lanai of a Central FL home and stole several White Claw alcoholic beverages, reports said.

Dog Thrown Over FL Rescue's Fence, Left To Die Day Before Thanksgiving

A dog, Pumpkin Pie, was thrown over the fence of a Boca Raton rescue's fence, "left to die" the day before Thanksgiving, the agency said.

Manatee Couple Romeo And Juliet Are Tampa's Newest Senior Residents

The manatee pair has been living at the Miami Seaquarium since the late 1950s. Now, at age 65, they're getting a change of scenery.

Man, Dog Rescue 81-Year-old Woman From Muddy Ditch: North Port Police

An 81-year-old woman was rescued from a "muddy, hot and wet retention ditch" thanks to a man and his dog, North Port police said.

FL Deputies Save Manatee, Holding Its Head Above Water For 2 Hours

Pinellas Marine Deputy Jill Constant is on a constant watch for marine animals in distress.

Largest Burmese Python Nest Found In FL Everglades With 111 Eggs

A contractor with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission found a record 111 unhatched python eggs in the Everglades, FWC said.

Dog Rescued From FL Spillway As Alligators Lurked Nearby

Authorities stepped in to rescue the dog after it somehow ended up on a Martin County spillway about 12 feet below the canal's edge.

FL Men Break World Record For Longest Burmese Python Ever Caught

Check out this video of two South Florida men known as the Glades Boys capturing a 19-foot-long, 125-pound python early Monday morning.

Trapped In Jar Saved By Central FL Firefighters: Marion County

Firefighters saved a raccoon trapped in a tree with a jar stuck on his head, Marion County Fire Rescue said.

Black Bear Steals $45 Taco Bell Order From FL Front Porch

The taco heist at a Seminole County home was captured on Ring video. The bear returned later for the soda, a report said.

Hugh, A Manatee Ambassador For Mote Marine Aquarium, Dies

A manatee who called Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota home for nearly two decades unexpectedly died last week.

Rescued Gator Missing Top Half Of Jaw Finds Home At FL's Gatorland

The gator, which is missing the top half of its jaw, likely wouldn't have survived in the wild much longer, Orlando's Gatorland said.

Rare Wild Flamingos Seen Across FL's West Coast After Hurricane Idalia

Since Hurricane Idalia, there have been several rare sightings of wild American flamingos throughout Florida's west coast.

Gator Hungry For 'Pub Sub' Removed From FL Publix Parking Lot: Police

A nearly 6-foot-long alligator was removed from a Pinellas Park Publix parking lot and relocated to a nearby body of water, police said.

Dog Glued To Ground Recovering At Boca Raton Animal Rescue

The dog, called Trooper, was cemented to a sidewalk for days, Tri-County Animal Rescue said. He was diagnosed with 22 medical conditions.

Cannibal Gator Snacking On Smaller Gator Caught On Camera In Orlando

A Florida photographer snapped a series of photos of a large gator eating a smaller gator at Orlando Wetlands Park.

FL Girl Punches Shark, Fends Off Attack At Fort Pierce Beach: Reports

A 13-year-old Florida girl punched a 6-foot-long bull shark to escape an attack at a Fort Pierce beach, reports said.

Big Mack The Gator Removed From Philly Home, Heads To FL Sanctuary

An 8-foot pet alligator was removed from a Philadelphia basement after its owners divorced. Now, he's heading to a South FL gator sanctuary.

Cats That Inherited Tampa Mansion, Fortune To Be Adopted

A South Tampa owner stipulated in her will that her Persian cats remain in her mansion after her death. A judge says they need new homes.

Killer Whale Lolita Dies After 52 Years In Captivity At FL Aquarium

At the time of Lolita's death, plans were in the works to return the 57-year-old orca to her home waters in the Pacific Northwest.

Bear Captured At Disney After Shutting Down Magic Kingdom: Reports

Rides were shut down at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park in September after a black bear was spotted in a tree, reports said.

'Not The End Of The World': FL Man Upbeat After Losing Arm To Gator

A Florida man whose arm was bitten off during a gator attack behind a Port Charlotte bar is optimistic despite losing a limb, reports said.

Tiny FL Bobcat Kittens Scooped Up By Excavator When Den Bulldozed

After being scooped up out of their den by a construction excavator, four tiny bobcat kittens are being rehabilitated by Big Cat Rescue.

Sandhill Crane Scares Off 8-Foot Gator In Sarasota Neighborhood: Watch

A Manatee County woman caught a showdown between a sandhill crane and an 8-foot alligator behind her home on camera.

Wild 3.5-Foot Gator Kept In Small Aquarium In FL Man's Garage: FWC

An Orlando man faces charges for keeping a 3.5-foot alligator he found on a central Florida road in an aquarium in his garage, FWC said.

Argument Between Parrot And Owner Prompt Troopers To Pull Over Man For Erratic Driving

Troopers said the parrot became angry and began arguing because it wanted to return home while its owner wanted to go to Clearwater Beach.

FL Woman Bitten By Shark In Tampa Bay Near St. Pete Pier

A Florida woman was bitten by what was possibly an adult bull shark while swimming in Tampa Bay Saturday night.

Man Catches Burmese Python With Bare Hands In FL Everglades: Watch

The 16-foot-long Burmese python put up a fight, wrapping itself around the man's leg. Watch a video of the snake being captured.

Couple Hand Feeds Sandwiches To Gators In FL Waters

A man and woman were filmed hand feeding alligators sandwiches in Florida.