The
Resident Agent in Charge supervises the criminal investigative, inspection,
and administrative support activities of the Special Agents, Manatee
Enforcement Refuge Officers, Wildlife Inspectors and Investigative
Assistants stationed in Florida except for Monroe, Dade, Broward
and Palm Beach Counties. The international Inspection Port
at Tampa International Airport coordinates, regulates and inspects
international wildlife shipments. This office investigates criminal
and civil violations of all Federal wildlife laws in Florida or originating
in other states or countries. Many investigations are related to
the international or interstate transportation and importation or
export of illegal wildlife, fish and plants, illegal hunting, take
and killing of migratory birds and eagles, and the unlawful take,
harassment, and killing of endangered species and their habitats.
Our Special Agents and Inspectors receive information from the public
and other law enforcement agencies and work closely with State Wildlife
Officers and other agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement
to prosecute large-scale commercial wildlife activities and those
state violations which also constitute or trigger Federal violations.
Our Manatee Enforcement Refuge Officers enforce Manatee Speed Zones
and investigate the harm, harassment, or take of Manatees. This diverse
district includes over a thousand miles of coastal and estuarine
resources from the Florida Panhandle at the Alabama state line, down
to the Big Cypress and back up the Atlantic Coastline to the Georgia
state line . Habitats in this district range from oak hammock to
scrub to cypress hammock and Everglades ecosystems. |