Deterring Florida Panthers from your Property:
Never Leave Pet Food Outdoors
Feed your pets indoors if possible. Take your bowls and food bags inside.
Install an Electric Fence
The fence should be about 2 feet high, and especially installed around any outdoor animal pens.
Mow Vegetation
Clear vegetation that could provide concealment for any panthers around your property.
Do NOT Feed The Panthers!
Feeding panthers will encourage them to return to your property. Avoid this by keeping any trash locked away, and do not purposefully feed them.
What Happens If You Encounter a Panther:
- Keep children within sight and CLOSE to you
- Give the animal space
- Do NOT run. Make eye contact with the panther
- Make yourself appear larger
- If attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand without having to turn your back
Protect Your Property
- Predator-resistant livestock enclosures
- Remove thick vegetation around the home
- Secure small pets indoors and small livestock in secure enclosures
- Utilize motion-sensor lights around your home and animal enclosures
Get Help With Panthers
David Shindle, USFWS - Coordinator, Florida Panther Recovery
Mark Lotz, FWC - Panther Biologist
Interested in learning more about our predator-resistant livestock enclosure program? Contact our team at southeastoffice@defenders.org.
Get Help With a Wildlife Conflict
Contact our Southeastern Region staff with your wildlife interaction questions.
