Lakeland and Polk County are teeming with all kinds of wildlife. Some, like our infamous swans or alligators, are seen regularly. Others, like the young black bear recently spotted roaming Lakeland’s Shore Acres neighborhood — not so much.
If you see wildlife that are out of the norm for your area, or appear to be sick, orphaned, or injured, the most important thing to know is to not approach it or pick it up and leave the handling to the experts.
Most wildlife concerns can be directed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) via the Wildlife Alert system. While the FWC is a state office, there are several regional outposts with officers stationed around the state, including one in Lakeland off of Drane Field Road. Other available resources include:
