Filed at January 14, 2008 under Animals and Environment and Florida Keys/Upper Keys/Key Largo by Keys
The seventh — and largest — Burmese python to make its way into the Florida Keys since the exotic constrictors were discovered here in April was found dead on U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 112 last week.
The snake, measuring longer than 10 feet, has added to officials’ recent concerns about the invasive predator slithering its way into the island chain — and its endangered species habitats. Steve Klett, manager of the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, said he worries a breeding pair will establish itself here, which could wipe out the population of endangered species such as the Key Largo wood rat. To reach 8 feet in length, a python would have to consume about 75 to 80 wood rats, he said.
A new law that went into effect Jan. 1 will not help the immediate situation, but could curb the problem in the future. It requires people who buy an exotic reptile to pay a $100 fee and have a 2-centimeter microchip with their identification implanted under the reptile’s skin. South Florida has experienced an influx of the snakes as owners illegally release their unwanted pets into the wild, intentionally or by accident.
The six previously found constrictors have averaged a little over 7 feet long. They have been found near the Key Largo School, Card Sound Road Bridge and in the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, across C.R. 905 from the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. One was a live python in the state park that had devoured a wood rat.
Filed at January 13, 2008 under On the Water/Diving and Florida Keys/Upper Keys/Key Largo and Vacations by Keys
When guests visit Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida, they discover that the name is no marketing gimmick. Just to enter the Lodge, one must actually scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface of the sea. Jules’ really is underwater. Diving through the tropical mangrove habitat of the Emerald Lagoon and approaching the world’s only underwater hotel is quite an experience. Even from the outside, Jules’ big 42 inch round windows cast a warm invitation to come in and stay a while, relax and get to know the underwater world that so few of us have even visited.
Entering through an opening in the bottom of the habitat, the feeling is much like discovering a secret underwater clubhouse. The cottage sized building isn’t short on creature comforts: hot showers, a well stocked kitchen (complete with refrigerator and microwave), books, music, and video movies. And of course there are cozy beds, where guests snuggle up and watch the fish visit the windows of their favorite underwater “terrarium”. Jules’ Undersea Lodge manages to reach a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.
Guests sometimes describe their visit to inner space as the most incredible experience of their lives. One couple decided on a career change after visiting Jules’ Undersea Lodge, and they now operate Aquanauts’ Dive Shop. Another couple named their baby after Jules’, when they later discovered their recently conceived child had accompanied them in their wonderful adventure in undersea living.
Although the underwater hotel may sound like the latest tourist fun spot, Jules’ Undersea Lodge, actually began its existence as La Chalupa research laboratory, an underwater habitat used to explore the continental shelf off the coast of Puerto Rico. The authenticity of the underwater habitat is what really sets it apart from amusement parks and other similar attractions. The mangrove lagoon in which Jules’ is located is a natural nursery area for many reef fish. Tropical angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, and snappers peek in the windows of the habitat, while anemones, sponges, oysters and feather duster worms seem to cover every inch of this underwater world. Guests of the Lodge explore their marine environment with scuba gear provided by Jules’ Undersea Lodge and are given an unlimited supply of tanks. Jules’ Undersea Lodge may have a comfortable futuristic decor, but its sense of history is inescapable. It is the first and only underwater hotel, but is also the first underwater research lab to have ever been made accessible to the average person. Read more »
Filed at January 6, 2008 under Environment and Florida Keys/Upper Keys/Key Largo and On the Water by Keys
A ‘Dennis the Menace’ cartoon from 1976 shows the characters discovering John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. A program on local park history will be presented Monday.
Experts talk of Pennekamp, Everglades
Concern for the Everglades and Florida Keys environment has left South Florida with a bounty of unique national and state parks. The history of how Everglades National Park, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park were created will be the topic of a 7 p.m. Monday program at the Key Largo library in Trade Winds Plaza.
The Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys hears Mary Tagliareni, education coordinator for the marine sanctuary, lead the free discussion of park development. “For anyone who has ever wondered when, why and where it all began, this is a chance to learn,” society President Jerry Wilkinson said. “South Florida is a special place, so special that for the past 60 years concerns for protecting it started a movement that would leave an environmental legacy.”
Also taking park in the program will be Bob Showler, Florida Bay district interpreter for Everglades National Park; and Elena Muratori, education specialist at Pennekamp.
Filed at January 4, 2008 under Florida Keys/Upper Keys/Key Largo and On the Water by Keys
Several Olympic medal winners, including 10-time medal winner Gary Hall Jr., plan to appear in the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic on Saturday, January 5th, in Key Largo, organizers said Thursday.
Other Olympians include Darren Mew, a 2004 Olympic finalist for Great Britain; George Bovell, a 2004 bronze medalist; Guy Barnea, member of the 2008 Israeli Olympic team; and Allison Wagner, a silver medalist in the 1996 Olympics.
Although the Olympians plan to swim in demonstration heats, the competition features some of the nation’s top collegiate swimmers.
The sprint-style meet is to begin at 10 a.m. at the Jacobs Center, mile marker 99.6 oceanside in Key Largo.
”From the time someone leaves the blocks to the time the event is over, there’s a person in the water,” said Jim Boilini, the event’s director. “So there’s no interruptions, no hesitation. Just nonstop action.”
For information, call 305-453-7946.
Filed at November 4, 2007 under Florida Keys/Upper Keys/Key Largo and On the Water by Keys
The Monroe County Planning Commission has approved preliminary plans for an upscale condominium project in Key Largo, despite concerns about losing a historical dinghy port at Rock Harbor and not gaining any affordable housing. Mandalay Bay, a project by Ocean Sunrise Associates, which is related to EarthMark Cos., is proposed to comprise 22 market-rate and three transient units at Mile Marker 97.5 oceanside, the site of two former trailer courts. “Transient boaters have used that landing area for at least 41 years,” said Planning Commissioner Randy Wall, whose parents once owned the marina next-door to the development site. “I’m concerned that this agreement will shut down or limit dinghy access to that street.”
County Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, speaking as a 54-year Key Largo resident and “a frequent visitor to Mandalay,” said the developer’s proposal to maintain the end of Second Avenue leading to the boat landing area is fraught with risk. “Boats have always been there. The plan for Second Avenue is a way of controlling it,” she said. “They own their property on both sides of that road and there will be a temptation to control it. We do not give any of this away. The county maintains hundreds of roads and they can maintain this.” Sailor Gil Grove, who lives on his boat, said the project robs people of their rights. Read more »
