Feeding wildlife is governed by state FWC rules, not a Sarasota County ordinance. Florida bans intentionally feeding bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, and alligators or crocodiles.
Sarasota County residents are covered by statewide Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules rather than a county feeding ordinance. Florida Administrative Code 68A-4.001 prohibits the intentional feeding of pelicans, sandhill cranes, and non-human primates, and prohibits placing food or garbage in a way that attracts black bears, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons and creates a public nuisance. Rule 68A-25.001 prohibits feeding crocodilians (alligators and crocodiles). Feeding these species is illegal because it reduces their fear of humans and increases dangerous conflicts. Feeding backyard songbirds and squirrels is generally not covered.
Illegal wildlife feeding is enforced by the FWC as a state wildlife violation, typically a second-degree misdemeanor with fines and possible jail, not a county code citation.
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