Florida Panthers

The Florida panther is clinging to survival on a habitat area that represents just five percent of its original range. Once abundant throughout the state, the panther now occupies just a few parcels in southwest Florida in a population that is thought to number around 100 animals.

While the panther’s survival is increasingly imperiled by habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and loss of genetic diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has yet to designate critical habitat to protect what little viable habitat area remains for the iconic cat. Despite agreement by biologists that the species faces a high likelihood of extinction in the absence of protections for its remaining habitat, FWS continues to approve new roads and other development in the heart of panther country.

Declining Birth Rates

Florida panther decline in numbers

In its checkered history of panther conservation, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has hidden behind numerous excuses to justify its failure to act including flawed science and the position, outlined in its Recovery Plan, that insufficient habitat exists in Florida to allow for recovery, regardless of agency actions. Panther biologists say that the panther can recover in Florida, given the political will to establish and enforce protections. However, that political will seems to take a backseat to the whims of ranchers and developers.

Statistic source material: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/

NEWS FROM PEER

Florida Panthers – Deaths and Births by Year

Infographic: For the sixth year in a row, mortality of the highly endangered Florida panther has substantially ...

Florida Panthers Spiral Toward Extinction

Net Loss of More than 100 Cats in Last Five Years as Births Plunge

Florida Panthers Pad Toward Extinction

2018 Another High Lethality Year as Deaths Increasingly Outpace Declining Births

Another Lethal Year for Florida Panthers in 2017

Deaths Again Outstrip Litters with Heavy Toll on Females of Reproductive Age

Florida Panther Deaths Tie Record High in 2016

80% Killed in Collisions – a New All-Time High Rate and Number

Florida Panther Deaths Set Another Record in 2015

70% Killed in Collisions; Nearly One-Quarter Females of Kitten-Bearing Age

Record Florida Panther Mortality in 2014

50% Increase over Prior Year; More Than a Third Females of Kitten-Bearing Age

Four More Florida Panthers Die in November; Two This Week

With 23 Deaths So Far This Year, 2012 Could Become Deadliest on Record

Three Rare Florida Panthers Perish in One Week

With 19 Deaths So Far This Year, 2012 Could Become Deadliest on Record

Two Rare Florida Panther Killed This Week; 11 so Far This Year

Latest Panther-on-Panther Deaths Reflect Shrinking Habitat for Territorial Cats

Florida Panthers Dying at a Record Rate

Conservation Groups Launch Appeal to Win Critical Habitat for Endangered Cat

Official Abetting Florida Eco-Train Wreck Gets Promoted

Fish & Wildlife Service Gives “Litigation Magnet” National Endangered Species Slot

Is the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the Next MMS?

Pick to Lead Fish & Wildlife Service Due: Florida Panther Poses First Litmus Test

Florida Panther Habitat Whittled Away With Official Okays

More Than Two Acres Lost for Each “Preserved” as New Projects Hem in Panther

Lawsuit Filed to Win Critical Habitat for the Florida Panther

Groups Sue U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Failure to Protect Endangered Panther

Lawsuit to Be Filed Over Delay in Protecting Florida Panther Habitat

Lawsuit to Be Filed Over Delay in Protecting Florida Panther Habitat Washington, DC — A coalition of conservation ...

Bid to Save Vanishing Florida Panther Habitat

Legal Petition Filed With Feds to Protect 3 Million Acres from Development

Fish & Wildlife Service in Florida: Portrait of a Failed Agency

Obama Pick Piecemeals Florida Panther and Other Endangered Species to Extinction

Endangered Species Act Fell Into Disuse Under Nominee

Only One Jeopardy Opinion in Nearly 6,000 Consultations as Staff Told to Refrain

Conservation Groups Call on Park Service to Protect the Florida Panther

Park Service Should Not Have Opened More Routes to Off-Road Vehicles in Big Cypress National Preserve

INTERIOR OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR SCIENTIFIC FRAUD PROMOTED

Agency Admitted Bad Science on Florida Panther and Reinstated Whistleblower

JOINT STATEMENT OF ANDREW ELLER AND THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

Washington, DC — The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility ...

FLORIDA FWS BIOLOGISTS ORDERED TO APPROVE ALL DEVELOPMENT

Panther Called a “Zoo Species”— Protecting Wild Habitat Futile

Agency Admits Panther Whistleblower Was Right

Fish & Wildlife Service Persists in Trying to Fire Vindicated Scientist

FISH & WILDLIFE SCIENCE POLLUTED BY FLORIDA POLITICS

Survey Validates Concerns Raised by Panther Whistleblower

FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE FIRES PANTHER WHISTLEBLOWER

Agency Does Not Dispute Orders to Suppress Scientific Findings

OUTSPOKEN PANTHER SCIENTIST APPEARS WITH NOBEL PRIZEWINNER

Joint Appearance to Speak Out Against Political Pressure on Government Scientists

FEDERAL COURT VINDICATES PANTHER WHISTLEBLOWER

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Lacks Scientific Basis for

PANTHER SCIENTISTS PRESSURED TO APPROVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Scientific Fraud Charges Go to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MOVES TO FIRE SCIENTIST WHO REPORTED FRAUD

Agency Acknowledges Flaws in Florida Panther Studies Affecting Major Developments

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE INDOCTRINATION PROCLAIMS ITS

All Staff Required to Watch Video and

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST CHARGES SCIENTIFIC FRAUD

Florida Panther Habitat and Population Data Skewed to Allow Development
Phone: 202-265-7337

962 Wayne Avenue, Suite 610
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4453

Copyright 2001–2024 Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility

PEER is a 501(c)(3) organization
EIN: 93-1102740