Panther Pulse

September 12, 2007

Here you will find summarized information 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-collared
23

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 panthers 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 in order 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.

**Below the tables is an explanation of abbreviations and terms used.

Florida Panther Births
2007

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.

Table Notes:

• K249 found dead at initial visit. K247 and K248 found dead on 5/3 after FP107 no longer returned to den.
  
• K255 removed to captivity (Lowry Park Zoo) because of health issues.
  
• Both kittens found dead and partially eaten upon initial visit to den site.

Florida Panther Mortality
2007

Mortality, both natural and human induced, is a part of 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 1980’s and we may be witnessing the result of this increase in the form of more documented mortalities. 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.

Table Notes:

Due to the special circumstances of certain documented mortalities, not all panthers listed here should be considered when evaluating mortality trends among years (eg, grayed boxes). For example, FP208 and FP207 were captive animals and not part of the wild population. Also, although neonatal mortality routinely occurs, we do not actively search for deceased kittens (ie K’s 247, 248, 249 and K’s 259, 260). Other mitigating factors resulted in discovery of those animals.

Terms Used In Tables

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; SIR - Seminole Indian Reservation; ENP - Everglades National Park; FPNWR - Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge; FSSP - Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve; OSSF - Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest; PSSF - Picayune Strand State Forest

Mortality Cause: RK - road kill, IA - intraspecific aggression (killed by another panther), UNK - unknown (sometimes an exact cause of death cannot be determined due to poor condition of the carcass)

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