Hurricanes & Wildlife: Hurricane Series, Part 4

<p>In this episode, we explain how hurricanes impact ecosystems and the wildlife that live there. We’ll discuss behaviors of wildlife before, during and after a storm, how these events impact wildlife, and what to keep in mind when it comes to encountering wildlife after a storm.  </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Learn More:</strong></p><p>• Wildlife and Storms: Hurricanes and Wildlife - <a href="https://myfwc.com/news/wildlife-and-storms/ " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://myfwc.com/news/wildlife-and-storms/ </a></p><p>• Are Fish Impacted by Hurricanes? <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/are-fish-impacted-hurricanes " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/are-fish-impacted-hurricanes </a></p><p>• Hurricane Impacts on Florida’s Agriculture and Natural Resources - <a href="https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/105526" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/105526</a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>How You Can Help: </strong></p><p>• Give wildlife space to recover after storms — avoid unnecessary “rescues.” </p><p>• Report fish kills by calling the Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511 or  <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">report a fish kill online.  </a></p><p>• Support dune restoration, wetland cleanup events, and native plantings.</p><p>• Report injured wildlife to licensed rehabbers or FWC’s <a href="https://myfwc.com/contact/wildlife-alert/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Wildlife Alert Hotline</a>. FWC’ s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sources:</strong></p><p>• The Impact of Hurricane Andrew on the Ecosystems of South Florida - <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/2386357 " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.jstor.org/stable/2386357 </a></p><p>• The effects of hurricanes on birds, with special reference to Caribbean islands - <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/effects-of-hurricanes-on-birds-with-special-reference-to-caribbean-islands/BB2E910A038B98090BB331310C163DC7 " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bird-conservation-international/article/effects-of-hurricanes-on-birds-with-special-reference-to-caribbean-islands/BB2E910A038B98090BB331310C163DC7 </a></p><p>• Short-Term Demographic Responses of a Coastal Waterbird Community After Two Major Hurricanes - <a href="https://bioone.org/journals/waterbirds/volume-36/issue-1/063.036.0113/Short-Term-Demographic-Responses-of-a-Coastal-Waterbird-Community-After/10.1675/063.036.0113.short " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://bioone.org/journals/waterbirds/volume-36/issue-1/063.036.0113/Short-Term-Demographic-Responses-of-a-Coastal-Waterbird-Community-After/10.1675/063.036.0113.short </a></p><p>• Geographical variation in hurricane impacts among sea turtle populations - <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.12197 " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jbi.12197 </a></p>