News Release

Slow down for panthers at dusk and beyond

December 18, 2009
Contacts: Gary Morse, 863-648-3200;
Gabriella Ferraro, 772-215-9459; or
Officer Joanne Adams, 863-581-6990

A Florida panther met an untimely death in the early morning hours of Dec. 17, after a collision with a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Broward County, near the Broward-Collier county line. Fourteen panthers have been killed on roadways in Florida so far in 2009, and that has wildlife officials concerned.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges motorists to be vigilant while driving as daylight fades.

To avoid collisions with roaming panthers, the FWC requests that motorists obey posted speed limits and remain on guard for panthers crossing roads at dusk and later.

Panthers tend to be more active during the hours between dusk and dawn, when most automobile strikes occur.  The driver of the vehicle in the early-morning collision saw the panther at the last minute and could not avoid the collision because of the speed of the vehicle. FWC biologists note that panthers often make a sudden dash as a car approaches, limiting the ability to avoid an accident, especially when drivers are traveling at higher speeds.

To help protect the large cats from increasing traffic threats, the FWC, along with sheriff's deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol, actively enforce panther speed zones in Lee and Collier counties. Panther speed zones are well-marked, with speed limits reduced at night to 45 mph.

Collier County has four panther speed zones: two on State Road 29 and two on U.S. 41, including a new zone posted last year running through Collier-Seminole State Park.

In Lee County, there are three panther speed zones: one each on Corkscrew Road, Daniels Road Extension and Alico Road.

Motorists who violate panther speed zones often receive fines exceeding $200 for their first offense. There is a mandatory court appearance for any violation of more than 29 mph over the posted limit.

Though Florida has experienced a significant increase in panther numbers, from an estimated 30 animals 20 years ago to approximately 100 today, Darrell Land, FWC biologist and panther team leader, cautions that the species is far from recovered.

"Panther deaths, including those from vehicle strikes, have increased, in part because of a rise in its numbers," Land said.  "In spite of the modest increase in numbers, every cat remains important to the survival of the species in the wild."

The number of Florida panthers killed by collisions with vehicles has been on the increase since 2000, ranging from 6 to 15 per year. The highest figure occurred in 2007 when 15 panthers are known to have died on state highways.

"Motorists also should be aware that panthers are not always struck in posted panther speed zones," Land said. "We caution motorists to be on the lookout for the large cats in wild areas near panther zones, especially around sundown." 

The FWC has worked diligently for more than 20 years to reduce panther highway mortality. Work by FWC biologists has been successful in increasing the population of Florida panthers and restoring the genetic health and vigor of the panther population. Much of the funding for panther research and monitoring comes from fees collected when residents purchase panther specialty license plates.

"Research by biologists includes field studies on the panther to determine denning habits and movement patterns," said Kipp Frohlich, leader of the FWC's Imperiled Species Management Section. "All of these studies aid in the long-term survival and recovery of the Florida panther."

For more information on the Florida panther, go to www.floridapanthernet.org. To report dead or injured panthers, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.