Record number of endangered Florida panthers killed by vehicles in 2009
02/01/2010 06:42:17
Photo copyright Mark Lotz. Florida Wildlife Commission
Defenders of WildlifeFlorida panthers need more protectionDecember 2009. Florida wildlife officials have confirmed the death of the 16th Florida panther killed in 2009 on a Florida roadway, eclipsing the 2008 total of 10 panthers and representing a new record high for the imperilled native cat.
The latest panther to be killed, a four-year-old female, was discovered on a stretch of the road without protective fencing in known panther habitat. The 2009 tally of panthers killed by vehicle strikes surpasses the record set in 2007 of 15. The 2009 death-rate may be even higher, as a 17th panther found dead in October is also suspected of being killed by a "vehicle collision," according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Serious obstacle to recovery
"Unless we take action to avoid such tragic losses to Florida's native wildlife, records such as these will continue to be reached each year as more and more roads and developments are built," said Laurie Macdonald, Florida director for Defenders of Wildlife. "The toll that vehicle collisions are taking on the panther's population is a serious obstacle to their recovery, and the roads and vehicles themselves are inhibiting the panther's efforts to expand its range."
Just 100 panthers left alive
There are approximately 100 panthers in Florida today, up from a low of 20 to 30 individuals 22 years ago. This number is still dangerously low and vehicle strikes are a major cause of death for the panther.
Fortunately, there are measures that can be taken in order to significantly reduce the threats to Florida's at risk panther population. The installation of wildlife crossings, which consist of special passageways and directional fencing, have proved very successful in reducing the panther's highway mortality.
Additional efforts by federal and Florida transportation authorities and other agencies, local elected officials and land developers could further the conservation of the Florida panther. These include:
The creation of a regional transportation plan that protects panthers, other wildlife and motorists in southwest Florida counties; The protection of habitat and corridors on public and private lands that provide a network of panther range
The protection of panthers along more highway segments by incorporating wildlife crossings, fencing and additional speed zones in appropriate locations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, southwest Florida transportation departments and area developers; Using both conventional and innovative technologies that result in safe driving practices and safe passage for people, panthers and other wildlife.
| - Accelerating the building of wildlife crossings by FDOT and county road commissions in identified areas of critical need;
Consultations between FDOT and panther biologists to determine shortcomings at particular crossings and appropriate fixes tailored to the problem areas; - Avoiding building new roads that harm the state's natural resource areas and wildlife habitat.
- Having Governor Crist and the Florida legislature provide funding to the Florida Forever land acquisition program, which will help secure the necessary habitat for panthers and other wildlife and allow them to roam freely and safely.
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"If we don't do something quickly to reduce the risks to Florida's panthers as they move around in search of food, mates and territory, then we are facing loss of this iconic species," said Fleming. "The panther found dead yesterday should serve as a sobering reminder that we all have to do our part to protect the Florida panther and watch out for wildlife while we drive through their habitat."
Courtesy of Defenders of Wildlife
Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
the amount of money that comes into florida through tourists surley some money can be used to do something to save these cats. We as human beings seem to forget that nature was there before us , and theme parks ect.
Posted by: bobby brown | 15 Jan 2010 23:28:02
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has recorded its 24th panther mortality of the year after recovering the body of a female Florida panther kitten from the east shoulder of County Barn Road, 1/3 of a mile south of Davis Boulevard, in Naples.
This is about a mile from where I live, suburban Naples, close to a lot of subdivisions and surprisingly close to town(downtown Naples is 5 miles). It is sad because almost all of these are preventable if people paid attention to their driving. That is a busy road and people are just careless. Sometimes people are just cruel and purposely try to hit animals.
Posted by: babslm | 03 Jan 2010 20:33:05
All of those ideas mentioned in the article to protect panthers sound good. Unfortunately, you leave as sacrosanct our "right" to travel in our own private vehicles at highway speeds through their habitats. I don't believe we have a right to frivolously endanger the lives of these animals. Only public vehicles should be permitted through these areas. Of course, public transportation in Florida seems anachronistic. With Mother Nature about to go about her business and start bowling us over through CO2 buildup leading to global warming, we're going to have to adjust many of the things that we do. Perhaps global warming will be a good thing for panthers.
Posted by: Daniel Scheinhaus | 03 Jan 2010 00:17:26