Florida Panther- Ryan Racer

The Florida Panther

An Endangered Species by Ryan Racer

Description and Ecology of Organism

The Florida Panther is an especially unique animal, representing the only remaining breeding population of puma in the Eastern United States. Panthers, also known as mountain lions, pumas, or cougars, require large and continuous areas to satisfy their reproductive and social needs. Panther habitat is almost exclusively related to prey availability, meaning they specifically select the area in which they are going to live based off how easily they can stalk and capture their prey(NWR). Dense vegetation comprises Panthers optimal living area, as it is easy for the animals to get around without being spotted by their prey. As far as diet goes, Panthers are carnivorous and mainly prey upon deer and wild hogs, but also smaller mammals including rabbits and raccoons. Panthers, being opportunistic hunters, means that they will sometimes even prey upon livestock and pets if they are able to get their paws on them(NWR). Panthers are large cats with males weighing in at 170 pounds and measuring seven feet from nose to tail, while females are much smaller than their male counterparts often weighing 100 pounds and measuring six feet in length(NWR).

Geographic and Population Changes

Panthers used to be animals that occupied much of the Southeastern United States, but due to human interference, their population dwindled to a point of near extinction. Florida Panthers used to be found in eight states, but have presently been limited to one area known as the Big Cypress Swamp/Everglades region of South Florida(FWS). Their main threat, humans, have caused these creatures to become isolated from other Panthers, increasing inbreeding and leading to a lack of genetic diversity. Beginning with the early European colonization in the 19th century, the Panther population became geographically isolated from other panther populations, thus eliminating what is known as gene flow(FWS). This made it so that different Panther populations became isolated and that healthy gene flow no longer occurred. Becuase of this inbreeding that occurred due to the lack of Panther populations, the Florida Panther began to slowly decline to the point where there were only 20 left. If action was not taken, scientists feared that this lack of genetic diversity would soon completely decimate the remaining Florida panther population. Luckily there was human intervention and the population has increased to a number of 180 to 230 according to recent reports(NPS).

Listing Date and Type of Listing

The State of Florida officially declared the Panther as an endangered species in 1958 and it was not until 1967 that the fish and wildlife service listed it on the endangered species list. They are currently listed, according to the Environmental Conservation Online System as endangered. Due to recent and past action from humans, the Florida Panther population is steadily increasing.

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence

Threat #1: Habitat Fragmentation and Human Disturbances

Humans have been nothing but a nuisance for these majestic creatures. The rapid loss of the Panther's habitat has forced these creatures to continue living in an area that is no longer large enough for it to live sustainably. Only five percent of Florida's population lived in South Florida in 1900, however, today that number has risen to over fifty percent(FWS).  Along with this, the land that is used by panthers has been converted into housing and agriculture. In 1990, the wetlands where panthers lived had declined by 56 percent and the forests declined by 21 percent in 50 years(FWS). With private land increasingly being converted into public land, these numbers could increase more and more until panthers will legitimately not have enough land to live on. Furthermore, in recent years, the leading cause of death for these panthers has been car collisions. As the Panthers extend their search for food and shelter, they must cross over more roads every year, which has proven to be fatal. In 2015 and 2016 alike, 42 Panthers were killed, with nearly 80% of them coming from vehicle-related accidents(PalmBeach). 

Threat #2: Genetic Diversity

One of the second biggest threats to continued existence is the lack of genetic diversity present in Florida Panthers. The reason that this problem came to be was because of habitat destruction and fragmentation, and thus, is also invariably due to humans. This threat almost completely annihilated the species, but due to the introduction of Texas panthers, they were able to survive. The problem arose when the Panthers were cut off from other species of pumas and thus had to breed between their own species if they even wanted a chance of survival. This led to inbreeding within the population and unwanted traits to be passed down to the offspring. Some of these traits included kinked tails, decreased semen quality, lowered fertility and neonatal survival and congenital heart defects(FWS). Because of this lack of genetic diversity, the Panthers were also susceptible to diseases. Thirty percent of Panthers that were captured in 1998 tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, FIV for short, which attacks the immune system and leaves the cat vulnerable to many other infections, similar to how AIDS affects humans(Cornell).

Threat #3: Human Intolerance

Another large feat in ensuring the survival of endangered species is the backing of the public. However, because of the fact that many humans fear large predators for their own and their families safety, Panthers do not have a high backing from the public. Another major issue that has arisen in recent years deals with livestock. As the Panthers are continuously pushed from their historic range, they begin venturing into people's private land and consuming whatever food they can find, which is often the livestock of farmers. Political and social issues are crucial to the revival, and without the backing of the public, it may be difficult for these creatures to survive.

Description of Recovery Plan

The recovery on its surface level seems simple enough. The plan is to maintain, restore, and expand the panther population. The way in which this will be done is to first, expand the existing area in which the Florida Panthers currently live in, which is the Big Cypress Swamp region. They are then looking to locate areas within the historic range of the Panthers and reintroduce small populations into those new areas. Their main objective is to establish three healthy populations within the historic range. They are also looking to maintain and restore the current habitat in South Florida so the Panthers can continue to thrive. Lastly, they are looking to increase conservation through public awareness and education, to let people know that Panthers deserve to continue living.(ECOS)

What We Can Do!

Many a time people feel as though nothing can be done to save species, but in almost all situations that is not the case. The main cause of endangerment for the Florida Panthers today is HUMANS, meaning that we obviously can do something to help them. My first suggestion is simple, stay informed. By educating yourself on these magnificent creatures, you will understand that they aren't the nasty predators that everyone makes them out to be, rather animals that are trying to survive and we are getting in their way. Another way in which you could help would be to educate people on driving safely. Many of these animals deaths are due to vehicle-related incidents, so informing people to be especially careful while driving is critical. It may not be much, but it is a step in the right direction.

Other Resources

The Nature Conservancy (Help in the fight to save Florida Panthers): https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/explore/save-the-florida-panther.xml

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Donate to the Cause): http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/panther/how-to-help/

National Wildlife Federation (Adopt a Florida Panther):

https://www.shopnwf.org/Adoption-Center/Adopt-a-Florida-Panther/index.cat

Citations for Research

Kornreich, B. (2016). Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.(Cornell) 

Robertson, W., & Bass, O.  (2005). Florida Panther: Species Profile. National Park Services.(NPS) 

Shindle, M., & Godsea, K. 2015. Florida Panther puma concolor coryi. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.(FWS1) 

The Florida Panther Recovery Team (2008). Florida Panther Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3rd Version.(ECOS)

The Florida Panther Recovery Team (1992). Wildlife and Habitat: Florida Panther. National Wildlife Refugee(NWR)

Wingham, J. (2017). Florida Panther Deaths in 2016 ties for the worst year on record. Palm Beach Post 

Citations for pictures in the order they appeared:

1: https://defenders.org/florida-panther/basic-facts
2: https://figshare.com/articles/_The_Historic_and_Current_Range_of_the_Florida_Panther_/6316893: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/139470919686049041/?lp=true4: https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/environment/2014/11/29/panther-deaths/19676443/5: https://infogram.com/florida-panther-1gyj725ygj1rp1l6: https://www.flickr.com/photos/clockity/38304876747: https://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/animal-programs/florida-panther/