Sadly, 2010 came to an end with little fanfare from Florida panthers – the past year was only marginally less deadly for the endangered cats than a record-breaking 2009.
Of the 23 known deaths in 2010, 16 were a result of collisions with vehicles. This comes up short of the 17 killed while crossing roads in 2009 – a record for the state – by only one death. The same goes for overall panther deaths, which totaled 24 last year. For a species whose population is believed to be just over 100 animals, those numbers remain far too high.
But the year wasn’t all bad for Florida cats: wildlife officials say this past year saw the births of 29 panther kittens! That’s great news when compared to only 11 births the previous year. Those numbers aren’t set in stone – unfortunately, not all the kittens will survive. However, those are only documented births – they don’t include those kittens born to uncollared panthers in the state. The actual number of Florida panther kittens may be much higher.
Florida panthers are still critically endangered animals, and with stressors like increased development and climate change, populations continue to face great threats. They’ll need all the help they can get in the upcoming year.
What can YOU do to make 2011 a better year for Florida panthers?
Support safe passage for panthers. Defenders is working to increase the number of wildlife crossings throughout the state to ensure both wildlife and people can use our roads safely.
Make one of your new year’s resolutions to slow down – reducing your speed will increase your response time to avoid colliding with a crossing animal. See Defenders’ Top 10 Tips to help you stay safe on the road.
Give a Gift that Helps Save Panthers
Panther adoptions are a great way to share your appreciation for this imperiled species while helping to support Defenders’ work on their behalf.
Save Something Wild!
Visit our Wildlife Adoption Center to adopt a panther or one of our 26 other imperiled animals today!
Defenders of Wildlife leads the pack when it comes to protecting wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
6 Responses to “A Better Year for Big Cats?”
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Defenders , Michele Hush, Ray Beckerman and others. Ray Beckerman said: A Better Year for Big Cats? ~ @Defenders http://bit.ly/eC3zw0 [...]
[...] ecoregion is at risk of being submerged under water. For iconic Florida species like the panther, whose diminished population already struggles with increased development and habitat loss, such an impact could prove [...]
[...] area and refuge would protect important habitat for 88 federal and state listed species, including the Florida panther, Florida black bear and whooping crane. “The Greater Everglades is one of the most fascinating, [...]
[...] with vehicles is another major threat to panthers throughout the state. Last year, 16 of the 23 known panther deaths were attributed to road fatalities. Of the eight deaths that have already occurred in 2011, at least four of them were the results of [...]
[...] ecoregion is at risk of being submerged under water. For iconic Florida species like the panther, whose diminished population already struggles with increased development and habitat loss, such an impact could prove devastating. And it isn’t only the state’s wildlife [...]
[...] with vehicles–many of them fatal. Last year was a particularly deadly time for panthers, with 16 of the 23 known deaths due to run-ins on the road. Already this year, seven of the state’s iconic animals have met a [...]