HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. – A young male Florida panther has become the latest casualty on the state’s roadways, according to new data released by wildlife officials.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updated its “Panther Pulse” database on Thursday, confirming the loss of a 9-month-old panther, identified as UCFP496. Biologists collected the remains on Tuesday, December 16, in Hendry County.
Investigators listed the suspected cause of death as a vehicle collision.
Collisions with vehicles remain the leading cause of death for the endangered species. FWC officials urge drivers to slow down and stay alert, particularly in designated “panther zones.” These lower-speed areas are established in several South Florida counties where the large cats are known to cross roads frequently.
RELATED: Endangered Florida Panther Killed In Glades County Crash
“These panther speed zones help ensure the survival of the endangered Florida panther and protect motorists from personal injury,” the agency noted in its update.
How to Help
Biologists rely on public reporting to manage the population effectively. If you see a sick, injured, or dead panther, you are asked to report it immediately to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Quick reporting allows biologists to recover remains for examination or respond to injured animals in time to potentially save them.
Residents looking to contribute financially to conservation efforts can purchase a “Protect the Panther” license plate. The fees generated from these plates serve as the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of the state’s panther population.
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