Release Of Rehabilitated Panther In SW Fla Delayed

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The release of an endangered panther, which was rehabilitated after being struck by a car,  has been postponed for at least a day .

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission had hoped to release the young female panther Wednesday afternoon in southeastern Hendry County. Officials now say they've tentatively rescheduled the panther's release back into the wild for Thursday afternoon.

The commission says the female panther was rescued as a kitten in May. It was rehabilitated at the White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee. Officials say the release was delayed because the panther initially eluded capture inside its 5-acre pen at the center.

The panther is an endangered species, and it's rare for wildlife officials to treat them in captivity. Only around 160 panthers are believed to roam southern Florida.

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