Florida Panther
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| http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/91-year-old-girlfriend_n_5453292.html |
Wait… That’s a cougar (just wanted to get your attention).
Florida Panther
Description:
The Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) is a large cat
species inhabiting southern Florida that can weigh anywhere from 50 to 154 pounds.
Their color patterns vary from “pale brown or rusty upper parts, dull white or
buffy under parts.” These predators live to be anywhere from ten to fifteen
years old and males can measure up to 7 feet from their nose to their tail. The
Florida Panther is known to be a generalist in terms of habitat choices, having
a very wide variety of terrain to choose from for food and survival. These panthers
prey on birds, feral hogs, rabbits, raccoons, deer, and other similar animals,
and they are most active in the more temperate times of the day (dawn and
dusk).
Geographic/Population Changes:
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| http://www.defenders.org/florida-panther/basic-facts?_ga=1.66842862.135148469.1433529178 |
Florida Panthers are
notoriously wide ranging, requiring large areas to meet critical life needs.
According to Fish and Wildlife, “Telemetry monitoring and ground
tracking indicate that panthers select forested habitat types interspersed with
other habitat types that are used in proportion to their availability”(viii).
The habitat they choose to spend a majority of their time in is directly
related to prey availability. The only
known population is around 100-180 adults in southern Florida, however these
cats were known to roam the southeastern U.S. at some point. They are now limited to five percent of their
historic native range.
Listing Date/Type of Listing:
The Florida Panther was listed in March
of 1967 as endangered under the U.S. Department of the Interior, and in 1973
when the Endangered Species Act was passed, this species was again listed as
endangered.
Cause of Listing:
Habitat loss, degradation, and
fragmentation are listed as the top threats to both the Florida Panther’s
survival and recovery. Habitat fragmentation by roads causing these animals to
get struck by cars is also limiting species growth and recovery. Last year, 33
of these Panthers died, and the leading cause was road mortality (Miami
Herald). Misconceptions (such as fear of attack or farmers annoyance at
predation on their stock) about this species are also a hindrance in helping
rebuild the population.
Description of Recovery Plan:
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| http://www.defendersblog.org/2015/03/a-growing-state-means-growing-threats-for-floridas-official-state-animal/ |
The strategy for recovering this
species is “to maintain, restore, and expand the panther population and its
habitat in south Florida, expand this population into south-central Florida,
reintroduce at least two additional viable populations within the historic
range outside of south and south-central Florida, and facilitate panther
recovery through public awareness and education.” The plan is focused on conserving
the habitat of the animal because of how important not only the quantity but
quality of their habitat is to their fitness. A large component to the plan is
also public awareness and education about the species, in hopes of reducing the
amount of misunderstanding of this species and in turn raising awareness around
the detriment occurring in its habitat and population densities. Introducing new individuals to expand the population is also a key component to this plan.
Works Cited:
Staletovich, Jenny. "Panther on
Southwest Florida Road Shot to Death." Miamiherald. Miami Herald, 29 Apr.
2015. Web. 1 June 2015.
<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article19874370.html>.
Staletovich, Jenny.
"Panther on Southwest Florida Road Shot to Death." Miamiherald. Miami
Herald, 29 Apr. 2015. Web. 1 June 2015.
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