Willow the panther was an ambassador

Andrew McElwaine’s Dec. 26 article, Loss of habitat remains a threat, included a file photo of panther Willow with Bob Freer at the Everglades Outpost, stating that Willow was 14 years old. You might be interested in knowing that Willow recently passed. She lived an extremely long life, even for one in captivity, making it to 20 years, eight months, and two weeks. I have been a volunteer at the Outpost for more than nine years and I had the pleasure of being one of Willow’s caretakers. We all miss her terribly. She was truly an ambassador for her breed. Thank you for enlightening the public on the fragile status of the Florida panther.

Carolin MT Phillips, Coral Gables

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‘First 48’ exploits victims of crime

Thank you for your recent coverage of the city of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa’s decision not to renew a contract with the reality show The First 48. For years the show’s film crew has roamed the streets of Miami’s urban communities searching for victims of homicide to feature on their show.
Spiritual or religious?

Martin Slater’s May 17 letter, Changing beliefs, responding to Myriam Marquez’s May 12 column makes the common mistake of equating religion and spirituality. While religions encourage the development of our spiritual sense, religious dogmas are unnecessary to cultivate one’s own sense of spirituality. Many nonreligious individuals are highly spiritual, keenly in tune with their inner-self and the concept of a creative universal force.
DCF is disgraceful

Re the May 21 article DCF deemed boy safe before he was left in vehicle: It’s unbelievable that the Department of Children & Families would do absolutely nothing about a woman who reportedly was drunk and driving, hitting walls and passing out while her young son was in the car untethered.

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