2 Endangered Florida Panthers Killed By Vehicles Last Week

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Two female Florida panthers, including one pregnant with two cubs, have died after being hit by vehicles last week.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says an 11-month-old panther died last week in Lee County and 5-year-old panther died just a few days before that in Collier County.

The 5-year-old panther was pregnant with two cubs.

The wildlife agency says 17 panthers have been killed, if the fetuses are counted, so far this year, and most of the deaths have been by vehicles.

Last year, 30 deaths were reported.

The Florida panther has been on the endangered list for more than 50 years.

The National Wildlife Foundation estimates there are only 120 to 130 Florida panthers left in the wild.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)