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Panther Pulse
2008 Updated: August 1, 2008
Here you will find summarized information in response to the most commonly asked questions regarding Florida panthers. Estimated population size and number of panthers that are currently being radio-tracked are listed. Births and deaths (or mortalities) are summarized in separate tables below.
Estimated Population Size: 90-100
Number of Panthers Radio-monitored: 14
Radio-collared Florida panthers are monitored year-round three times per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from a Cessna 172 fixed-wing aircraft. National Park Service (NPS) biologists at Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) and Everglades National Park (ENP) assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in collecting telemetry flight data within each park's respective boundaries while the FWC collects data throughout the rest of the panther's range. The number being tracked fluctuates as new panthers are added to the radio-collared population each capture season and mortalities occur throughout the year.
Radio collars are maintained on a sample of Florida panthers as part of a long-term study to monitor the genetic vitality of the population to determine if additional genetic mixing with the Texas panther is required, to monitor and guard against new diseases, aid in recovery of dead panthers to investigate mortality causes, document reproductive success and to monitor many other demographic aspects.
Florida Panther Births
Researchers examine Florida panther kittens at the den site when they are about two weeks old. Biological samples such as blood and skin biopsies are collected to gauge the overall health and genetic makeup of the individuals. Each kitten is then weighed and dewormed. Most importantly, a transponder chip is inserted just below the skin near the shoulder area of each kitten. These microchips are very similar to those used to identify pets and allow us to permanently mark each individual.
Dens 2008
(An explanation of abbreviations and terms can be found below.)
Table Notes: K268 and K269 were found dead, partially consumed, in their den. See pictures of FP 140's and FP 158's kittens below.
Florida Panther Mortality
Mortality (death), induced by both nature and humans, is a given with all wildlife populations. Endangered species, such as the Florida panther, must strike a fine balance between births and deaths in order to continue their existence. The population has undoubtedly increased since the mid 1980s and we may be witnessing the result of this increase in the form of more documented deaths. However, we are still finding plenty of evidence that panthers continue to persist in the expected areas.
In order to establish a cause of death the FWC panther veterinarian, sometimes assisted by other specialists, performs a full necropsy on every panther carcass recovered. Rapid decomposition in the south Florida heat and scavenging by vultures often make determinations of natural causes difficult. Hides and skeletal remains are then archived at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.
To report a road-killed panther, first stop and get out to look (within safety limits) and confirm that it actually is a panther. Motorists traveling at highway speeds can easily misidentify a "tan animal." If the animal is in fact a panther, call toll-free 1-888-404-3922. It is also helpful (but not necessary) if you could stand by until an officer or biologist arrives in order to facilitate a quicker recovery.
Mortalities 2008
Table Notes:
1. UCFP105 was found wedged at base of tree
2. K268 and K269 were discovered, partially consumed, in den
3. FP164 - only skeletal remains were recovered
Table Abbreviations
Panther: FP# - Florida panther wearing a radio-collar, numbered sequentially in order of capture; UCFP- an uncollared Florida panther; K - newborn kittens marked with transponders at the den are assigned a sequential "K" number
Location: BCNP - Big Cypress National Preserve; CSSP - Collier Seminole State Park; FPNWR - Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge; FSPSP - Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Mortality Cause: RK - road kill, IA - intraspecific aggression (killed by another panther), Unknown - unknown (sometimes an exact cause of death cannot be determined due to poor condition of the carcass)
