Staff at a Florida wildlife park shot and killed a white rhinoceros lower than 24 hours after its arrival on the park final September, a report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee discovered.
Investigators had been known as to the Wild Florida park a few week later following an nameless tip that acknowledged the capturing of the rhino was pointless. The report stated no motion was taken towards the park.
The male 2,000-pound rhino, Earth’s largest land mammal after the elephant, arrived on the park on Sept. 18, 2022, round midday, the report stated. Billed as an “unforgettable” Everglades expertise and situated south of Orlando, Wild Florida touts its airboat excursions, a gator park with greater than 200 animals and a drive-thru safari on 170 acres.
Upon the rhino’s arrival, park employees advised investigators that the animal appearing “very wild” and tearing at its enclosure, the report stated. The animal ultimately calmed down and was left in a single day, the report stated, and the park was closed the subsequent day to let the rhino regulate.
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A northern white rhinoceros within the wild.
Juan Luis Rod by way of Getty Pictures
The next morning, a number of employees had been on web site when the rhino broke via the primary enclosure. Staff determined to construct up the reinforcements on the animal’s smaller quarantine enclosure, the report stated. Staff determined to place the rhino again right into a contained space, and if the animal broke out of the pen they’d shoot it with high-powered rifles they’d shut by. Video reviewed by investigators confirmed the rhino working backwards and forwards and testing the cable fencing, he would go away the enclosure after which enter a stand of cypress in the primary enclosure. The rhino saved pushing on the cable fencing and getting caught within the surrounding wires.
When employees noticed the rhino break via the primary enclosure and run towards cypress timber, park proprietor Jordan Munn gave the order to shoot, the report stated. The rhino was hit a number of instances however managed to flee the timber. Staff adopted the dying rhino for ⅓ mile and saved capturing the animal till it fell and died, the report stated. Based mostly on shell casings, investigators discovered 15 rounds had been fired.
“For greater than twelve years, Wild Florida’s mission has been to supply an unforgettable Everglades expertise that promotes a reference to animals whereas inspiring training and conservation. Sadly, we’re typically confronted with unexpected conditions and circumstances that require an instantaneous response to make sure the continued security of tourists, employees, neighbors, and, most significantly, animals in our care,” the park stated in an announcement.
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Out of concern that helicopters would spot the rhino, employees buried the animal in a gap leaving a portion of his head uncovered, the report stated. Investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee took no additional motion, based on the September report.
White rhinos are identified to be gregarious and calm, Dr. Joseph Okori, WWF Rhino Programme Supervisor and a wildlife vet stated. “White rhinos reply to threats by simply working away,” he stated in an interview on the muse’s web site. “They run away, however the issue with them is that they run to a secure distance and cease, they do not run away ceaselessly.”
Florida basketball prepares for its third game of the Southeastern Conference schedule this Saturday in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Coming off a monumental upset of the Tennessee Volunteers, the Gators are looking to keep the momentum going.
However, their inability to rein in the Kentucky Wildcats in Rupp Arena to open the calendar year has left some doubt as to whether Todd Golden’s gang can dominate away from the O’Connell Center. At least, that appears to be evident in CBS Sports’ expert picks for Saturday’s SEC matchup.
Of the seven respondents on the expert panel, four picked the Hogs straight up — Matt Norlander, Kyle Boone, Cameron Salerno and Isaac Trotter — while Gary Parrish, David Cobb and Jerry Palm picked the Orange and Blue.
“Arkansas opened conference play with two tough draws. The Razorbacks faced No. 1 Tennessee on the road and No. 23 Ole Miss at home,” the summary begins. “Calipari hasn’t dropped three straight SEC games since the 2020-21 season when he was the head man at Kentucky. Florida is coming off an emotional win over No. 1 Tennessee earlier this week. This seems like the perfect storm for Arkansas to pull off the home upset.”
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How to watch Florida-Arkansas
The Gators return to the road to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville on Saturday, Jan. 11. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
You may have noticed eggs have been limited or hard to come by at the grocery store these days.
For Publix stores in Florida, a company spokesperson confirmed that they are experiencing egg shortages due to an outbreak of avian bird flu, or HPAI, which has created a rise in demand for eggs.
“As a result, items in this section have limited availability,” the spokesperson told NBC6. “We are working to bring these products back as soon as possible. We encourage customers to check back regularly, as our stores are receiving routine deliveries.”
HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, is a form of avian flu more associated with poultry and wild birds.
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According to the USDA, outbreaks of HPAI and facility fires across multiple states in 2024 led to the loss of nearly 40 million egg-laying eggs. Farmers are unable to meet the demand.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 134 million wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry, and backyard or hobbyist flocks have been affected by HPAI since 2022.
In Broward County, there have been six reported bird flu outbreaks since 2022, with the most recent one in 2023. In Miami-Dade, there have been eight reported outbreaks, with the most recent one reported in October.
Macy’s is moving forward with its planned closures of stores in South Florida and across the country, the company announced Thursday.
Sixty-six locations were listed to close, most during the first quarter of 2025, though some had already been shut down.
In South Florida, the closures only affect the furniture stores at the following locations:
4501 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale
13640 Pines Boulevard in Pembroke Pines
13251 South Dixie Highway in Miami – already closed in 2024
But if you’re a faithful shopper, fear not. The company said these three furniture businesses are relocating to a nearby full-line location.
Additionally, these locations are closing or have already closed in Florida:
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9339 Glades Road in Boca Raton – This furniture store already closed, and will relocate to a nearby full-line location.
801 North Congress Avenue Suite 100 in Boynton Beach at the Boynton Beach Mall
298 Westshore Plaza in Tampa at the WestShore Plaza
820 West Town Parkway in Altamonte Springs
3501 South Tamiami Trail Suite 600 in Sarasota
For that Altamonte Springs location, a going-out-of-business sale is planned for the first quarter of 2025.
In the announcement, Macy’s said the closures were part of their Bold New Chapter strategy.
“This plan is designed to return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth which includes closing approximately 150 underproductive stores over a three-year period while investing in its 350 go-forward Macy’s locations through fiscal 2026,” their news release reads.
Go here to see the list of all 66 closing Macy’s locations.
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