FLORIDA PANTHER Felis concolor coryi (Bangs) 



Order: CARNIVORA Family: FELIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Large (total length up to 7 feet), long-tailed, unspotted 

 cat; upper parts — pale brown, under parts — dull white; tail tip, back of ears, and sides 

 of nose--dark brown or blackish. 



Present distribution : Collier, Lee, Levy, Hendry, and Monroe Counties, Florida. One 

 killed (1968) for depredating stock in Citrus County. Sightings recorded in Leon County, 

 1969; Wakulla County, 1969; and Palm Beach County outside Loxahatchee National Wildlife 

 Refuge on several occasions in 1969. One of the latter sightings was killed. Transient 

 animals sighted at Chassahowitzka, Ding Darling, and Loxahatchee National Wildlife 

 Refuges in 1969. One killed in Ocala National Forest, 1967. Sighted near Clermont, 

 Florida, 1968, and near Lake Talquin, southwest of Tallahassee, 1969. Regularly 

 reported by tourists and Park Service personnel in the Everglades National Park. 



Significant new recordings of northern range from northwest Florida; one adult seen by 

 Pat Quinn, zoologist, on Perdido River, the common border of Florida and Alabama, 25 

 miles north of Pensacola. Larry Johnson of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish 

 Commission observed two panthers cross the road at the Yellow River, 5 miles due east 

 of Highway 85, south of Crestview, Florida, Santa Rosa County, in 1969. Additional 

 sightings at Eglin Air Force Base and Cory Field Naval Training Base in northwestern 

 Florida. These areas consist of large, unmolested habitats which support large popu- 

 lations of deer . The most northernly recent sightings of panthers in Georgia were made 

 by qualified observers from University of Georgia on three different occasions . 

 Dr . Ernie Provost of University of Georgia ascribes spread of panthers into Georgia to 

 an increased deer population. 



Former distribution : Eastern Texas or western Louisiana, and Lower Mississippi River 

 Valley east throughout the Southeastern United States . 



Status : Seriously depleted, although population appears stable since 1966, when first 

 protected by law in Florida . 



Estimated numbers : 150 to 300. 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Heavy trapping and hunting pressure; loss of prey and habitat 

 for this wilderness species . 



Protective measures already taken : Fully protected by law in Florida. Additional 

 protection in national parks and wildlife refuges — Everglades, Loxahatchee, St. Marks, 

 etc . 



Measures proposed : Locate existing populations , and if not on Government-controlled 

 land, purchase areas as refuges for panther. Purchase a few captive Florida panthers and 

 breed them for restocking former ranges taking care to maintain a genetically pure stock 

 in captivity. Conduct ecological studies of panther's habitat needs, food habits, spacing 

 and movements . 



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