Coastal Florida Guide » Top Stories

Estates man pleads guilty to shooting panther in Golden Gate Estates in 2009

florida guide — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:20:05 +0000

A Naples man has pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a Florida panther in 2009 in Golden Gate Estates, federal prosecutors said today. Todd Alan Benfield, 45, faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison, a fine of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of weapons and other equipment used to kill the panther, which is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Panther found dead near Immokalee

florida guide — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:20:05 +0000

Wildlife officials found the body of a 3-year-old male Florida panther Friday in rural Collier County — the tenth panther death of the year in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Sunday’s solar eclipse a non-event in Southwest Florida

florida guide — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:20:05 +0000

“It’s a non-event for the eastern coast of the U.S.,” said Brian Risley of the Southwest Florida Astronomical Society. “There’s nothing we will see. The sun will set here before the eclipse.”

Holy Kowiachobee! Animal preserve shuts its gates after code enforcement fight

florida guide — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:20:04 +0000

Collier County code enforcers have told the Kowiachobee Animal Preserve on Fourth Avenue Southeast that it has to shut its gates because its five acres is not zoned for the nonprofit educational group to be open to the public.

Florida panther kitten hit by vehicle needs more rehab

florida guide — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:20:04 +0000

A Florida panther kitten hit by a vehicle and rescued from the side of the road has left a Naples veterinary hospital for further rehabilitation.