News
Butterfly House Visitor Saves Tonka the Tortoise
May 1, 2023, in the Butterfly House, Tonka the African Sulcata tortoise (who lives in the Butterfly House) decided to munch on a piece of plastic. Cheryl A. pulled some out of her mouth, but she had a bunch still in there. I tried to get the remaining plastic, but...
A look back at Harriet the Eagle’s final, chaotic season in Southwest Florida
Originally published in the News-Pres, by Samantha NeelyFrom massive hurricanes to missing matriarchs, this season for the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam has been one for the books. The livestream has showcased the lives of longtime local icon, Harriet the Eagle, and her...
Cape Coral landscaper caught mowing over burrow
Cape Coral, Florida, is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, its population up nearly 98 percent to more than 204,000 since 2000. Construction is booming, a plus for the economy but disastrous for area wildlife—especially ground-nesting burrowing owls.
2023 Burrowing Owl Photo Contest
Adult CategoryFirst PlaceSecond PlaceThird PlaceT-Third PlaceAdult Honorable MentionYouth CategoryAwards
Rat poison could be killing burrowing owls in Cape Coral
Cape Coral, Florida, is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, its population up nearly 98 percent to more than 204,000 since 2000. Construction is booming, a plus for the economy but disastrous for area wildlife—especially ground-nesting burrowing owls.
Iconic SWFL butterfly species needs help recovering post-Ian
Originally published on WINK-TV, by Elizabeth BiroSightings of the zebra longwing, once the most prominent butterfly in Southwest Florida, have been spotty since Hurricane Ian. One group is working to bring it back. “Structurally, they’re built quite differently from...
Cape Coral homeowner volunteers making burrowing owl perches by the thousands
Cape Coral, Florida, is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, its population up nearly 98 percent to more than 204,000 since 2000. Construction is booming, a plus for the economy but disastrous for area wildlife—especially ground-nesting burrowing owls.
2023 Burrowing Owl Festival Memories
Thank You to All Burrowing Owl Festival Sponsors!
The Board of Directors of Cape Coral Wildlife, Inc. would like to recognize the following major sponsors of the 2023 Burrowing Owl Festival – Wildlife & Environmental Expo. If you are personally acquainted with a sponsor or business, please thank them when you get...
Paying Homage to the City Bird
A long-time tradition in the Cape paying homage and educating the public on Cape Coral’s official city bird takes place this weekend.
“CHARGING” – Nature of Cape Coral Bus Tour – Cape Coral Wildlife Trust’s Gopher Tortoise Preserve
Imagine having the rare opportunity to have this “CLOSE ENCOUNTER” happen to you! Thank you to Charles Wellhausen for sharing this amazing video!
Cape canals, wildlife disturbed in Ian debris cleanup
It has come to Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s attention that overzealous debris removal crews with huge excavators and tandem debris trucks are scraping the lots and the banks of canals across a wide swath of Cape Coral.
Burrowing owls defenders say heavy equipment for Hurricane Ian debris is crushing underground nests
The passionate defenders of Cape Coral’s burrowing owls are livid now that tractors are clearing debris from Hurricane Ian out of the city’s canals and possibly crushing dozens of owl and gopher tortoise burrows.
More Explores Ground Owl Day (ABC 7)
Watch ABC-7’s coverage of Cape Coral’s Ground Owl Day, Feb 2, 2023.
How Florida wildlife is faring after Hurricane Ian
Ian resulted in the deaths of at least 130 people and displaced thousands more. Now, as residents begin to rebuild, questions remain about the future of its diverse, critically important native species.
Cape Coral’s burrowing owls may have gotten lucky during Hurricane Ian
Despite howling winds and flooding waters from Hurricane Ian, Mr. Lucky – because he’s also Mr. Smarty – survived. As did most of his friends.
Burrowing owls returning to a damaged habitat after Hurricane Ian
The storm left the birds without a place to go back to, and many of them were injured. The owls are all over our community, and without a home, they’ll become scarce.
US wildlife officials deny increased gopher tortoise protections
The destruction of a once-thriving gopher tortoise community in Lehigh Acres last week typifies what’s happening to the threatened species throughout Southwest Florida, advocates say.
Hurricane Ian: So what exactly happened to all the beautiful and bountiful animals?
Florida is known for its phenomenal wildlife, for the birds and beasts that comb our swamps and roam our beautiful shores. So what exactly happened to all the beautiful and bountiful animals?
Burrowing owls displaced from habitats by developers in Fort Myers
Neighbors in a Fort Myers neighborhood claim the developers are displacing the burrowing owls. One neighbor sent in a photo of two burrowing owls on her front porch.
Future Forestry plants 100 trees at Veterans and Kamal Parkway
In hopes of “Planting it forward,” Future Forestry plants 100 trees along Veterans and Kamal Parkway.
Threatened burrowing owls number in the thousands in Cape Coral. Now they are being counted, protected
On this Sunday morning, Anderson and Collier are helping with the sixth annual census of Cape Coral’s 3,000-plus burrowing owls, the largest population in Florida – and likely on the planet.
Meet the Cape Coral resident who really gives a hoot about burrowing owls
Beverly Ahlering Saltonstall’s book “Cape Coral Burrowing Owls Don’t Hoot” tells you all you need to know about the tiny avian.
CROW rescues injured nestling Purple Martin
On May 16 the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) rescued an injured nestling Purple Martin that had fallen from its nest in Fort Myers.
