In 1914, USDA researchers imported Australian melaleuca seeds into the United States. 100 years later, the fast-growing tree had conquered 500,000 acres of South Florida after being planted to help dry the EvergladesAustralian melaleuca seeds were imported to the United States in 1914 for agricultural purposes. Later, the Army Corps of Engineers planted...
20 Aug, 2026, 01.11 AM IST
In the 1990s, Disney bought 8,500 acres of Florida ranchland slated for commercial projects; decades later, it forms the core of an 11,500-acre wildlife preserveThe Walt Disney Company's generous donation successfully halted the development of Walker Ranch, transforming it into the Disney Wilderness...
19 Aug, 2026, 10.17 PM IST
For years, a Florida family used their 24,300 acres of land for hunting. In 1989, their decision to part with the ranchland helped save one of America's rarest big catsOnce the prominent Collier family, the biggest private landowners in Florida, used their vast acres of land for hunting and sport. However,...
19 Aug, 2026, 06.41 PM IST
In 1992, Congress backed a plan to dechannelize Florida's Kissimmee River and restore its watershed. 28 years later, the project had restored 19 of 44 river miles and 6,500 acres of floodplain wetlands, with wildlife returningFlorida's Kissimmee River underwent a significant restoration after decades of channelization. This project aimed to revive its natural flo...
18 Aug, 2026, 10.09 PM IST
Since 1997, Florida has released Australian insects to help control melaleuca in the Everglades; its invaded range has shrunk by nearly 75% alongside herbicide and mechanical removalIn Florida's Everglades, Australian insects played a crucial role in curbing the spread of invasive melaleuca trees. By targeting these tre...
14 Aug, 2026, 04.20 PM IST
In the 1980s, Burmese pythons released or escaped from Florida’s pet trade began reproducing in the Everglades; scientists linked them to sharp declines in native mammalsBurmese pythons, a species introduced to Florida decades ago, are now posing significant threats to the wildlife in the Everglades. Scienti...
11 Aug, 2026, 04.48 PM IST
Florida Python Challenge 2026 winners to be announced this week: Why hundreds compete to hunt invasive snakes for a $10,000 prizeThe Florida Python Challenge invites enthusiasts to actively combat the invasive Burmese python population. Each year, exciting cash prizes...
04 Aug, 2026, 02.33 PM IST
In 1970s, Burmese pythons arrived in Florida as pets. Then a hurricane helped turn them into the Everglades' top predator—now robot rabbits are fighting backFlorida is deploying solar-powered robot rabbits to lure invasive Burmese pythons. These AI-powered decoys imitate prey, using heat and sce...
03 Aug, 2026, 03.44 PM IST
In the 1930s, a Florida nurseryman scattered Australian tree seeds from an airplane to dry wetlands; the trees later invaded more than 400,000 acres of Florida wetlandsIn the 1930s, melaleuca trees were introduced to Florida's Everglades. These trees were intended to drain wetlands for development and farm...
30 Jul, 2026, 04.11 PM IST
Catch a giant snake, get a free pizza: Florida restaurant is handing out free python pizza during the state's $10,000 snake huntA Florida restaurant is offering free python pizza for participants capturing invasive Burmese pythons. This promotion supports efforts to ...
16 Jul, 2026, 12.22 AM IST
Snake eggs in your garden? Don't move them until you know these thingsFinding snake eggs in your garden requires careful consideration before any action. Moving reptile eggs can pose risks to developing embryo...
15 Jul, 2026, 07.33 PM IST
In the 1990s, escaped pet Burmese pythons established themselves in Florida's Everglades; by 2012, road surveys found raccoons down 99.3%, opossums 98.9%, and rabbits effectively goneGiant Burmese pythons, introduced to Florida's Everglades as pets, have caused a dramatic wildlife collapse. Road surveys reveal staggering...
01 Jul, 2026, 05.32 PM IST
Burmese pythons in Florida are changing Everglades in a surprising way: Study reveals giant snakes are spreading seedsBurmese pythons in Florida's Everglades are now understood to be indirectly spreading plant seeds by consuming birds and mammals that eat f...
18 Jun, 2026, 04.25 PM IST
Massive Everglades fire burns 1,600 Acres, sends smoke across South Florida roads. Check areas affectedSmoke from Everglades brush fires is impacting South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale and western Broward County. The 'Mile Marker 39 fir...
20 Aug, 2025, 07.24 PM IST
Alligator Alcatraz sparks backlash, nearly half of Americans disapprove of controversial facilityA migrant detention center named 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida's Everglades sparks national outrage. The facility faces criticism for its...
05 Jul, 2025, 08.12 PM IST
Alligator Alcatraz: Inside the world’s deadliest prison surrounded by alligators and pythons - you won’t believe it’s realDonald Trump's administration has inaugurated 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a controversial migrant detention center in Florida's Everglades, natur...
02 Jul, 2025, 06.50 PM IST
Inside the terrifying Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz': Dangerous detention center being lined up to hold illegal immigrantsFlorida’s attorney general has proposed a new site in the Everglades to hold immigrants who entered the United States illegally that he’s c...
21 Jun, 2025, 12.11 PM IST