19th Florida Panther Dies After Vehicle Collision
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Another Florida panther has been hit and killed by a car.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the remains of a 2-year-old uncollared female panther were found in Hendry County on August 6th.
This is the 14th Florida panther death caused by a vehicle collision this year and the 19th panther death of the year.
The carcass is at the FWC Naples Field Office and will be sent to the FWC Gainesville lab for necropsy.
In the late 70's and early 80's, there were only a few dozen Florida panthers left in the wild but today there are nearly 160.
They are shy and elusive animals. Younger cats are forced to travel long distances because their habitat is saturated with dominant males.
In the process of fleeing to establish their own territory, some are killed in collisions with cars or trucks.
Florida residents can support panther conservation efforts by purchasing a Protect the Panther license plate, available at BuyAPlate.com. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC's research and management of Florida panthers.
To report dead or injured panthers, call the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone.
For more information on Florida panthers go to FloridaPantherNet.org.
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