Defenders Statement on 2024 Florida Panther Road Deaths

Defenders of Wildlife today responded to media reports claiming that 2024 has tied the record for number of Florida panthers killed by vehicles. Elizabeth Fleming, Senior Florida Representative and Florida panther program lead at Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:

“The 2024 death count documenting the state’s dwindling Florida panther population, while not record breaking as reported, underscores what we know to be true from previous years — far too many endangered Florida panthers are needlessly the victim of roadkill. As of Dec. 17, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documented a total of 33 panther deaths, including 26 from vehicle collisions and one from a train collision. In 2016, a record 42 panthers died from all causes, with 34 panthers killed by vehicles.

“Roadkill is the number one cause of mortality documented for panthers, making it much more difficult for the species’ small population to expand its range northward. Florida agencies and environmental groups must work together to focus on securing more interconnected habitat and wildlife crossings and expanding social acceptance for the world’s only breeding population of the Florida panther — the official animal of the fastest-growing state in the country. This year’s mortality numbers once again remind us that if we don’t take meaningful action while we can, there may not be any panther deaths left to count."