4 FL Endangered Panthers Killed After Being Hit By Vehicles

FLORIDA — Four endangered panthers have died so far this year after being hit by vehicles, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The first panther, which was a 1-year-old male, died on Jan. 9 in Hendry County north of State Route 78, per state records.

Two days later, a vehicle strike claimed the life of a male panther in the age range of 3- to 5-years-old in Hendry east of Wild Crow Grade.

Then, six days later, a female panther in the age range of 2- to 3-years-old died in Hendry south Hill Grade Road.

A 10-year-old panther was killed on Jan. 22 in Lee County near State Route 82.

The deaths of these panthers come after 13 panthers died in 2023 in Florida - all hit by vehicles, according to past data. In 2022, 27 panthers died of various reasons.

The conservation commission said of Florida's two native cat species, panthers are larger than the state's bobcats. There are at least 120 adult panthers in population, state officials said.

"Florida panthers have been documented throughout much of the peninsula and even into Georgia. The core population, however, is found south of Lake Okeechobee," state officials said.

Panthers are protected under the Endangered Species Act, making it illegal to hurt or harass them, state officials said.