ZooTampa Florida Panther To Be Featured On U.S. Commemorative Stamp

TAMPA, FL — On Friday, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Endangered Species Act, Lucy, a Florida panther that lives at ZooTampa, is among 20 endangered species found within the 50 states, American territories and near U.S. borders being featured in a commemorative U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp collection.

The ZooTampa ambassador is among the more than 232 endangered species entrusted to the care of ZooTampa and its counterparts in the wild, both in Florida and throughout the world.

Lucy, short for “Calusa," was found on Aug. 3, 2007, as a kitten with a head laceration and suffering from severe dehydration.

She was treated and hand raised by the ZooTampa medical and animal care teams. She now lives with two other rescued endangered panthers, Mickey and Walter, at the zoo’s Florida Wilds exhibit.

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The celebration of Endangered Species Day continues this Saturday at ZooTampa with a special zoo adventure, taking guests on a journey to seven marked animal habitats for a photo op scavenger hunt to discover how to become a responsible consumer and help endangered species worldwide.

Through its ZooTampa Saves program, ZooTampa has a long history of supporting initiatives aimed at conservation, including its renowned work with the Florida manatee and support of more than 10 conservation projects worldwide.

The zoo cares for more than 1,000 animals, participates in nearly 100 of AZA’s Species Survival Plan programs for managing endangered and threatened species, has won numerous awards for its animal conservation and management programs and is officially recognized by the state as a center for biodiversity and conservation.

Residents can also support panther research efforts by the FWC by purchasing the “Protect the Panther” license plate.

Lucy, a Florida panther that lives at ZooTampa, will be featured on a commemorative stamp as part of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Endangered Species Act.

Lucy, short for “Calusa," was found on Aug. 3, 2007, as a kitten with a head laceration and suffering from severe dehydration.