There’s a new rule to protect Florida’s native songbirds
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created a new rule to protect the state’s native songbirds from illegal trapping. The new rule is effective October 3 and provides a new tool for law enforcement to stop illegal poaching. The rule contains exemptions for lawful uses of traps and includes a permitting process for people that trap nonnative nuisance birds. The new rule requires all traps to be labeled, even if the trapper has a permit, other authorization or exemption.
Illegal poaching of Florida’s native songbirds is a widespread problem in the state, especially in south Florida where trapping is thought to be widespread. Illegally captured birds are often mistreated or injured and killed when trapped. For more information on the new rule visit MyFWC.com/Birdtraps.
Man on track to become first person to circumnavigate American and Antarctic continents in one season
Randall Reeves, 57, of California, left San Francisco on September 30, 2018 in an attempt to circumnavigate both the American and Antarctic continents in a sailboat in one season. Reeves’ solo attempt has taken him through all of the world’s oceans and by the time he reaches home on his projected return date of October 19, 2019, Reeves will have sailed more than 40,000 miles, surviving for months alone at sea, often navigating by sextant and starlight.
Reeves has made his journey in a 45-foot aluminum sloop nicknamed “Mo.” According to a press release, the vessel has no hot water or refrigeration and does not have powered winches or sails. Among other feats of endurance, Reeves has gone for months without regular phone contact and limited data uplinks and even went more than 200 days without changing his pants. Follow the final days of his record-breaking journey on Facebook @Figure8Voyage.
Olympian Allyson Felix breaks world record held by Usain Bolt 10 months after having a baby
American Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix, 33, has crushed a world record previously held by the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, and she’s done it just 10 months after giving birth. Felix competed for Team USA in the mixed-gender 4X400 relay at the World Championships last weekend in Doha, Qatar and won gold in the event. It was the 12th gold medal Felix has won at the world championships, edging her past Bolt’s record for most gold medals won by a single athlete at the world championships.
Felix welcomed her daughter into the world last November via emergency C-section performed when she was just 32 weeks pregnant due to severe pre-eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy condition that threatened the life of both the runner and her unborn child. She began competing again in July, when she was just 8 months postpartum.
