HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida panther has been killed after being struck by a vehicle according to a Florida panther mortality report by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The Florida panther death is the seventh reported this year. There were 27 deaths reported last year.
The remains of a 1.5-year-old, female Florida panther (UCFP419) were collected on Feb. 18, 2022, on Flagpole Road in Hendry County (UTM 493633 E 2955238 N). The suspected cause of death was a vehicle collision.
Biologists gain valuable information by examining panther remains. Report injured or dead panthers to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922)
FLORIDA PANTHER DEATHS IN 2022
| # | Date Discovered | Panther ID | Age | Sex | Cause of Death | County | Location |
| 7 | 02/18/2022 | UCFP419 | 1.5 | F | Vehicle | Hendry | Flaghole Rd, 3.9km South of US27 |
| 6 | 02/08/2022 | UCFP418 | 5 | M | Vehicle | Hendry | CR832, 260m west of Collins Slough Rd. |
| 5 | 01/31/2022 | FP261 | 2.5 | F | Vehicle | Collier | I-75, MM100 |
| 4 | 01/28/2022 | UCFP417 | 3 | F | Vehicle | Collier | Carson Rd. Immokalee, FL |
| 3 | 01/15/2022 | UCFP416 | 2 mo | M | Vehicle | Collier | Golden Gate Blvd. |
| 2 | 01/09/2022 | UCFP415 | 3 | M | Vehicle | Glades | US27, 2.6km SE of junction with SR29 |
| 1 | 01/02/2022 | UCFP414 | 2.5 | M | Vehicle | Collier | Collier Blvd |
The Florida panther, Florida’s official state animal, has been listed as a federally endangered species since 1967. As the state grows, suitable habitats for panthers and other wildlife shrinks.
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Florida panthers normally live in remote, undeveloped areas. But as both the number of panthers and the number of people living and recreating in Florida grows, so does the chance of an encounter with a panther.
Encounters with Florida panthers are relatively rare but do occur, particularly in rural parts of southwest Florida.
If you live, work or recreate in panther habitat, there are things you can do to enhance your safety and that of your friends, family, and animals.
If you encounter a Florida panther:
- Keep children within sight and close to you.
- Give the panther space. Most Florida panthers will avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
- Do not run. Stand and face the animal. Make eye contact.
- Avoid crouching or bending over. Squatting or bending over makes you look smaller, resembling a prey-sized animal.
- Make yourself appear larger, open your jacket, raise your arms, throw stones, branches, etc. without turning away.
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If attacked, fight back with whatever is at hand (without turning your back).
Florida residents can support panther conservation efforts by purchasing a “Protect the Panther” license plate. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of Florida panthers. You can purchase a plate on the Florida Specialty License Plate website.
