WASHINGTON (March 31, 2017) – A second female Florida panther has been spotted by trail cameras in new territory north of the Caloosahatchee river, following the first female sighted in November of 2016 and panther kittens confirmed in the area just days ago.
Statement from Defenders of Wildlife’s senior Florida representative, Elizabeth Fleming:
“This is tremendous news for the Florida panther. These female panthers and kittens north of the Caloosahatchee river represent a brighter future for the species. This is a national milestone for wildlife conservation history: from just a handful of individuals in 1967, the panther has become a Florida icon and a symbol of successful endangered species recovery efforts.
The Florida panther faces the very serious challenge of habitat loss and fragmentation in one of the fastest-developing states in the country. 2016 set a heartbreaking new record for the number of Florida panther deaths from vehicle collisions, with 34 panthers lost. But establishing a breeding population north of the Caloosahatchee brings new hope. Defenders of Wildlife will continue to advocate for and promote coexistence with the Florida panther.”
Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.
