FWC Research Updates: June 2026 - The monthly newsletter of the FWC fish and wildlife research institute

World Sea Turtle Day Happy World Sea Turtle Day, celebrated annually on June 16! Summer is in full swing, and so is sea turtle nesting season. As you enjoy beach excursions, pack it in and pack it out, give space to nesting turtles and hatchlings, smooth down sandcastles and fill in any man-made holes in the sand before heading out, and turn out the lights/close the blinds at night. Call Wildlife Alert at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you ever observe a sick, injured, or distressed sea turtle or illegal activity. Thank you for being a beach hero! Photo by Blair Witherington Hiding in Plain Sight White-tailed deer fawns have a remarkable “hider” strategy that keeps them safe in their first weeks of life. View Post Now That’s a Needlefish! FWC’s Fisheries-Independent Monitoring biologists recently caught this impressive houndfish during monthly sampling in Tampa Bay. Measuring 3 feet in total length, it was the second-largest houndfish recorded in Tampa Bay monitoring history! View Post Panther Kitten Rescue GPS data indicated a female Florida panther radio-collared during the 2026 capture season was denning, but over time biologists observed that the mother was no longer returning to the den. View Post Publication Spotlight Reemergence of the endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in a historical nursery in southeast Florida. The endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) has been protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2003. Once common throughout the Indian River Lagoon, in Florida, the species was extirpated from this estuarine system by the 1970s because of bycatch mortality. Hotline reports of small juveniles in this estuarine system were rare until 2015, when an increase in reports began and peaked between 2020 and 2023, prompting research to assess habitat use. View Publication 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 2026 Manatee Mortalities Annual Rescue Summaries [Manatee] New Publications Marine Mammal Publications Coastal Habitat Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program (CHIMMP) New World Screwworm American Alligator Pensacola Bay Red Snapper Tagging Project Amphibian & Reptile Publications 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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