Florida panther deaths surpass 2023 totals with seventh months left in the year

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The recent death of a Florida panther in Collier County has already eclipsed last year’s death total with nearly seventh months left in the year.

“As the state grows, suitable habitat for panthers and other wildlife becomes less available. The risk of vehicle collisions with wildlife increases as well, even in previously remote or undeveloped areas. Vehicle collisions are the most common cause of Florida panther mortalities,” the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission told Florida’s Voice.

According to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC, a female Florida panther was killed on May 17, making it the 14th death in Florida for 2024. The mark already supersedes last year’s death total of 13 for all of 2023.

For context, last year’s fourth Florida panther wasn’t killed until May 26. This year, the FWC recorded its fourth Florida panther death in January alone. Of the 14 Florida panthers killed this year, a majority have been hit by vehicles. One Florida panther also was killed by a train in Glades County.

Moreover, the recent Florida panther killed was tagged by the FWC. The rest of the 13 were all untagged animals. All of the incidents have mostly occurred in Collier and Hendry County.

Similar to 2024, all 13 Florida panther deaths in 2023 were by vehicles. While male and female deaths were more evenly split, the incidents again mostly occurred in Collier and Hendry counties.

“We cannot be certain why there were fewer vehicular mortalities than expected in 2023, but the current trend for 2024 would place its projected total in line with figures from recent years,” the FWC said.

All of the panthers killed last year also were untagged.

While splits over the past two years might be startling, 2023’s “low” total might be an anomaly. 27 Florida panthers were killed in 2022 and 2021 while 20 or more have been killed dating back to 2017.

Per the FWC, the Florida panther has been documented throughout much of the peninsula and even into Georgia. However, much of its core population lies south of Lake Okeechobee.

Fittingly, the Florida Panther is the state animal. According to the state, human population growth has primarily affected the panther’s range.

The Florida panther itself is large, long-tailed, pale brown cat that can grow over six feet long. The panther also feeds mainly of white-tailed deer.

With roughly 120-230 adult panthers in the population, the animal is listed as an Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act. Specifically, the panther has been on the federal endangered species list since 1967 and the state’s endangered list since 1973.

The panther also has been protected for legal hunting in Florida since 1958.

“The FWC encourages motorists to slow down and observe all posted speed limits, especially in panther zones, which are in place in several counties across South Florida and coincide with areas where panthers are known to cross,” it said. “These panther speed zones help ensure the survival of the endangered Florida panther and protect motorists from personal injury.”

This story has been updated to include comment from the FWC