BREAKING: Endangered Key Deer Reported Trapped Inside Former Big Pine Prison Property Leased to College of the Florida Keys
Wildlife advocate calls for gate to be opened at Big Pine site slated for truck-driving school and other vocational programs.
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. — At least two endangered Key deer were reported trapped Saturday evening inside the fenced former state prison property on Big Pine Key, raising new concerns about wildlife access at the site where the College of the Florida Keys plans to build a commercial truck-driving training facility.
Valerie Preziosi, president of Save Our Key Deer, said two does were observed inside the property at 450 Key Deer Blvd. as of about 7:45 p.m. Saturday.
Presziosi addressed members of the Monroe County Commission as well as the College of the Florida Keys in a flash email early Saturday evening.
“I am writing to urgently report that two endangered Key deer does are currently trapped inside the old prison site,” wrote Preziosi. “Immediate action is needed to open the gate and allow the deer to exit safely.”
The property is owned by the State of Florida and has been accessible to wildlife since fencing around the former prison facility was damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Since the site was abandoned after the storm, residents have frequently observed Key deer entering the property to forage, rest and drink.
“I have reported this situation to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, but I am uncertain how the on-duty officer will be able to access the property to facilitate their release,” wrote Preziosi.
The diminutive deer, protected under the Endangered Species Act, are found only in the Lower Florida Keys, primarily in habitat associated with the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key and surrounding islands.
Preziosi said the situation could become more urgent because of the ongoing dry season, which has already caused many seasonal freshwater holes in the area to dry up.
“It is uncertain whether the natural water hole or the old well on the property still contains water,” said Preziosi. “Many seasonal water holes in the area have already dried up.”
She also warned that fencing gaps could allow small fawns to enter the property while preventing adult deer from following them back out.
“I am deeply concerned that the new perimeter fence is preventing Key deer from accessing a critical water source and habitat area they have utilized for the past eight and a half years.”
She also questioned how fencing repairs were approved while federal housing funds expected to support redevelopment of the property have not yet been released to the college.
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The property has been identified by the College of the Florida Keys as the future location of a commercial truck-driving training facility, a proposal that has drawn scrutiny from some residents who say industrial vehicle training conflicts with sensitive wildlife habitat on Big Pine Key.
“I respectfully request the immediate release of the trapped deer and that the gate remain open to ensure free access for wildlife that depend on this area,” said Preziosi.
Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the College of the Florida Keys had not publicly commented on the situation late Saturday.