The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) updated its Panther Pulse web page at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, adding a recent panther fatality to the state’s official tracking data.
Wildlife officials recovered the remains of a three-year-old female Florida panther, cataloged as UCFP505, on June 19. The body was located east of Immokalee on County Road 846 in Collier County. According to biologists who examined the site, the suspected cause of death was a collision with a vehicle.
According to data maintained by the FWC, vehicle collisions represent the primary cause of death for the endangered Florida panther. To mitigate this issue, the state has established designated panther speed zones in several South Florida counties where the animals are known to cross roadways.
Officials state that these lower speed limits are designed to ensure the survival of the panther population while also protecting motorists from personal injury and property damage.
The FWC is asking the public to report any sightings of injured, sick, or dead panthers immediately by calling the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Agency officials noted that prompt reporting allows panther biologists to respond to situations in a timely manner and gather crucial research data by examining the remains of the animals.
The state’s panther research and management programs depend heavily on public contributions. The FWC confirmed that fees collected from sales of the “Protect the Panther” specialty license plate serve as the primary funding source for these ongoing conservation efforts.
READ: Two Florida Panthers Killed In Vehicle Collisions Just Hours Apart
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