The Myakka Conservancy, Inc.

Seventy-six species of protected wildlife are either known to use the basin or likely to be found here. Some examples include sea turtles and West Indian manatees in the tidal river; wood storks and many wading birds in swamps and shallow wetlands; occasional black bear in the hammocks and open woods; bald eagles and osprey over the lakes and broad tidal river; and scrub jays, gopher tortoises, and indigo snakes in the dry scrub forests. The lower river is also home to the extremely rare sawfish, now completely protected from harvest in Florida waters.