As South Florida celebrates another Stanley Cup championship by the local Florida Panthers hockey team, let us not forget the continual struggles of their namesake, Florida’s state animal, the Florida panther. Luckily for the local big cats, through the efforts of conservationists, they are on the path to recovery.
Florida panthers are the North American cougar that has adapted to the Florida climate. The panthers have found a home among the tropical forests and swamps, and it is the only population of cougars in the eastern United States.
The panthers have had a challenge as Florida developed. Hunting throughout the history of Florida, and losing their natural habitat range to new developments, caused their population to shrink. By the 1970s, only about 20 Florida panthers were still alive in the wild.
Since 1981, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act, the Florida Panther Recovery Plan has been in place, run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This program’s efforts have rebuilt the population to around 200 panthers.
The recovery had to overcome many challenges. The population by the start of the program was so small, the panthers’ genetic pool was already severely depleted. Studies showed that the low genetic diversity increased the likelihood of inbreeding among the remaining population. This was confirmed by studies on newborn panthers, and documenting their congenital issues.
A genetic rescue mission was initiated. Pumas from Texas were brought to Florida. They were given time to adapt to the local environment. After they were deemed ready, they were released to the wild and helped to reduce inbreeding among the local Florida panthers. These newcomers were successful, and the local population showed increases after their introduction.
A new rehabilitation center was also created to help injured panthers at White Oak Conservation. Injured cats, along with orphaned kittens, were cared for at the facility. The organization, partnering with FWC, has rehabilitated and released 19 sick or injured Florida panthers as of 2020.
Why are we spending so much effort to protect the panthers? Florida panthers are at the top of the food chain in South Florida, and a keystone species in the ecosystem. They are essential in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem, and they help regulate the populations of native wildlife and manage nuisance animals.
Nuisance animals like wild hogs and pythons have grown significantly in population in Florida. The wild hog population is highest around Lake Okeechobee in forested areas, right in the history range of the Florida panthers. These wild hogs cause extensive destruction and damage to both agricultural and native plant life in South Florida. A recovery of the panthers should help in our fight to keep their population in control.
Scientists have also seen evidence of large cats predating on Burmese pythons. The invasive pythons have been attacked by Florida panthers, and smaller bobcats, especially during the colder months when pythons are naturally less active.
The recovery of Florida panthers is still ongoing, so they are not out of the woods yet. They are no longer considered critically endangered, but they are still endangered. As their population recovers, another threat is becoming more common—vehicle collisions are increasing. To avoid hitting a panther, please take care driving in rural areas of South Florida, and support efforts to create wildlife corridors, which allow the panthers to avoid crossing major roads.
The Florida Department of Transportation also runs the Florida Panther Conservation Plan, which, together with federal forestry service, sets up binding agreements between private landowners and the government to minimize and mitigate the impact of land development in critical areas, in exchange for marketable credits.
With all these continuing programs, the future of Florida panthers is hopeful, and with the efforts by local organizations, along with state and federal programs, we hope to see Florida panthers thrive as the state animal.
Native tribes believe that panthers represent courage, power, and stealth. The Seminole tribe considers it a protector, and a guardian spirit animal, while the Miccosukee tribe see panthers as a symbol of change of adaptability. It is that adaptability that may see the panthers thrive in the new ecosystem, and doing their part as the apex predator to keep the balance in the wild.