This has been the deadliest year on record for the iconic Florida panther. With one week still to go, the all-time record for deaths had been broken: As of Dec. 20, 26 panthers have been killed, 17 of which were on roads and highways. These tragic losses represent a major challenge to the long-term survival of the species.

The panther population is estimated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at approximately 100 to 120 individuals, all in South Florida. While these numbers represent a modest gain in population, the panther remains critically endangered.

The largest threat to the panther’s future is continued loss of habitat. Urban sprawl, mining and industrial agriculture have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of acres; over 40,000 acres of panther habitat have been destroyed in the last 15 years. Yet in all that time the federal agency charged with protecting endangered species has never objected to a single development.

Even more concerning are scientists’ findings that available panther lands are occupied — the available habitat is full. Any further destruction can only result in more deaths, either on the roads or from panthers killing each other for territory.

Unfortunately, development proposals in the remaining panther range are accelerating. A major push to develop the Rural Land Stewardship Area (RLSA) of eastern Collier County — ironically named the “Florida Panther Protection Program” — promotes more destruction of panther lands and will result in 45,000 acres of residential and commercial development.

It would increase the maximum allowed density from 40,000 rooftops to over 175,000. Additionally, the plan will result in over 100 miles of new or expanded roadways which in some cases will increase traffic on rural roads by a factor of twenty.

Meanwhile, proposed new sand and rock mines threaten over 15,000 more acres of panther habitat. Developers and their allies have also asked the federal government for a comprehensive “take” permit —sometimes ironically called a “Habitat Conservation Plan.” That permit would allow the 45,000 acres of development to proceed without the need for further federal wildlife agency oversight.

It is past the time that meaningful habitat conservation and growth management plans replace the failed ones of today. New development should take place outside of the panther’s primary range, and vital panther corridors need to be preserved.

Sadly, existing proposals seem to be going in the wrong direction.

There is a lesson to be learned from the increasing deaths among panthers. But if that lesson remains unlearned, the species may be headed back toward extinction.

Andrew McElwaine is president of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.