Great White Sharks, Gators, Red Tide, Planes Crash: Top FL News

TAMPA, FL — As hordes of visitors descend on Florida for spring break, they might want to keep in mind the phrase coined by the best-selling book, "Jaws," and its hit movie: "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water."

Florida Patch editor Tiffany Razzano reported on two great white sharks in the waters off Sarasota this week. Rose, a 10-foot, 5-inch great white has been hanging out in the same region off Fort Myers since late February, while Keji is most likely the great white spotted and videotaped by a Sarasota charter captain Tuesday. A ping from Maple, an 11-foot, 7-inch, 1,264-pound female great white, on Monday came about 43 miles southeast of St. George Island near the Florida Panhandle.

• 1,200-Pound Great White Shark Tracked In Gulf Off FL Panhandle: Watch
• Great White Shark Spotted 30 Miles Off Sarasota Coast: Watch

Florida Patch editor D'Ann Lawrence White reported that red tide is causing respiratory problems for some Pinellas County residents as algae blooms move north from Sarasota into Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. And it ruined the weekend fun for Indian Rocks Beach residents and visitors.

• Fishkills Reported Along Pinellas Beaches Due To Spread Of Red Tide
• Red Tide Prompts Cancellation of Indian Rocks Beach BeachFest

Other Animal News In Florida

• In Florida Gator Vs. Metal Fence, Gator Is Clear Victor: Viral Video
• FL Man Shoots Gator Attacking Dog In Backyard: Reports
• 9-Foot Gator Bites FL Man Answering Door To His Home: Report
• Rough-Toothed Dolphin Rex Dies Unexpectedly At Clearwater Aquarium
• Giant Frog, Spider, Dragonfly, Fish, Bird Invade Crest Lake Park
• ‘Likely Impossible’ To Expunge Burmese Python Population In FL: Report

See these stories and more on this week's Florida Patch sites.

• Guinness-Certified World’s Largest Bounce House Inflates In Tampa
• Death Threats Aimed At Sarasota Doctors Over COVID Performance: Police
• Pasco Home Invaders Shoot Mother, 6-Year-Old In Head In Their Beds
• Indian Rocks Beach Residents Continue Grappling With Vacation Rentals

• Jack-In-The-Box Returning To FL With New Orlando-Area Restaurants
• 'Toilet To Tap' Project Should Be Permanently Flushed, Says Council.
• Skyway Bridge Jumper Rescued After 8 Hours In Water: U.S. Coast Guard
• Customer Shot By Clearwater Dunkin' Donuts Employee, Say Police
• See Where FL Hospitals Rank New List Of Nation’s Best
• FL Strip Club Destroyed By Hurricane Ian Reopens In Tent: Report
• Despite Death Of Original Band Member, Lynyrd Skynyrd Show Goes On
• 2 Men Indicted In Federal Court For Mass Shooting In Lakeland
• ‘Burn After Reading’ Letter Explained By Laundrie’s Mother: Court
• 3 Young Brandon Children In Fatal Crash Were Unrestrained, Says FHP
• 4 Killed In Small Plane Collision Near Winter Haven Airport
• Top-Secret National Defense Files Taken By Tampa Man: U.S. Attorney
• Castor's Re-Election Called Victory For LGBTQ+ Community Across U.S.

• Bus Attendant Accused Of Striking Child 9 Times With Belt, Say Police
• Jack Kerouac Turns 101: St. Pete Celebrates The Iconic Beat Author

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