By Mary Lundeberg – The Florida panther (Florida’s state animal) is the last subspecies of puma alive in the eastern U.S. occupying less than five percent of its historic range. Native Americans revered panthers, but early Europeans feared the powerful cats leading to their near extermination with hunts sponsored by the state. The legal slaughter stopped in 1958 and the Florida panther was listed as an endangered species in 1967. Only 12 to 20 panthers were alive at the time. Although the population has rebounded to between 100 and 180, the panther remains one of the most endangered mammals in America. Killing a Florida panther is a third-degree felony under state law, punishable by up to five years in jail and or up to a $5,000 fine. Ranchers are reimbursed for the loss of livestock.

Panthers serve an important niche in the ecosystem. They prey on deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, rabbits, birds, cats, and rodents. Roaming and hunting between dusk and dawn, their exceptional eyesight allows them to see in the dark. Last year, no human reported seeing a panther live, but remote cameras document their presence. If you are lucky enough to encounter one of these agile creatures, stand tall, keep your distance and don’t run.

Florida panthers range from the Everglades to Orlando. Occasionally, males wander further north. In 2016, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) documented the first female panther north of the Caloosahatchee River since 1973. Panthers have been documented in 24 Florida counties including Sarasota and Charlotte.

The greatest threat to all wildlife is the loss of habitat. We are losing about 20 acres of natural habitat per hour to accommodate new people moving to Florida. Vehicles are the number one killer of panthers; 13 have been killed by vehicles this year. The threat has been reduced thanks to the 60 wildlife crossings or bridges on various roads. The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act signed into law in June 2021 encompasses nearly 18 million acres including protected conservation lands. These corridors are vital for panthers and other endangered species.  

Inbreeding poses another threat. In the 1990s when male panthers showed initial signs of sterility, Florida biologists released eight female cougars from Texas, resulting in 20 kittens. Unfortunately, panthers and bobcats are now being afflicted by a neuromuscular disorder called Feline Leukomyelopathy (FLM), first detected in Florida about 5 years ago.

The federal panther recovery plan calls for 240 cats distributed in three locations in Florida. It’s an important goal that depends on public support for land conservation and the protection of wildlife.

See more of Mary’s photos at MaryLundeberg.com. Mary received the inaugural Wildlife Champion Award in 2022 from Triple 3 Marketing, the parent company of Englewood Healthy Living and South County Healthy Living.