FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute February Research Updates

The 2024 Sea Turtle Nest Counts Are In! We’re excited to share Florida’s finalized 2024 sea turtle nesting numbers: Green Turtles: 14,308 (lower this year, but after last year’s record, we’re not surprised) Loggerheads: 110,122 (a solid season!) Leatherbacks: 1,799 (another good year—and record-breaking on the Gulf Coast!) Kemp’s Ridleys: 34 (a new Florida record!) LEARN MORE Right Whale Calf #10! Catalog #3420 ‘Platypus’ was sighted with a calf on February 23, 2025, just off the coast of Ormond Beach, FL. READ MORE Roll out the red carpet – Florida’s Coral Reef and the FWC Coral Research Program made it to the big screen! Learn more about the project and access the film on Facebook. FACEBOOK Panther Collaring FWC biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded, an adult male weighing in at 166 pounds! This effort is part of a long-term research program that monitors panther movements, health and population dynamics. This project provides essential data for conservation efforts on the endangered Florida panther. LEARN MORE New on MyFWC.com/Research We hope you enjoy these articles that have been recently added/updated on our website: Red Tide Current Status Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources 2024 Manatee Mortalities Annual Rescue Summaries [Manatees] New Publications Florida Manatee Oceanaria Reimbursement Assistance Program Index Nesting Beach Survey Totals (1989-2024) 2024 Statewide Nesting Totals Sea Turtle Monitoring (the SNBS and INBS Programs) Steidinger Scholars "Jen" Eells Small Animal Research Internship FWC Conservation Social Science Red Snapper Research on the Atlantic Coast   Our Mission Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.

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