Three rare Florida predators killed by vehicles in one week. 36 have died this year

The discovery of a 2-year-old Florida panther killed by a vehicle marks the third death in a single week for the highly endangered species.

The juvenile male was found dead Dec. 26 on the edge of a wildlife management area and urban area of Bonita Springs in Lee County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Panther Pulse database.

Two other male panthers died from vehicle strikes Dec. 21 and Dec. 23, rounding out the deadliest year for the state animal since 2016, McClatchy News previously reported.

While Florida panthers live mostly in southwest Florida south of Lake Okeechobee, male panthers venture into other parts of Florida, the FWC says. All five of the last recorded panther deaths occurred in different counties.

Thirty-six Florida panthers have been killed this year, with vehicle strikes once again being the leading cause of death, records show. Vehicle strikes tend to kill more male panthers than female panthers, as males roam larger territories and cross more roadways cutting through their territory, according to the FWC.

The vehicle strike problem particularly affects young panthers, which already face high mortality rates. Fewer than a third of panthers make it to their first birthday, researchers say.

“Panthers less than 3 years old represent 70 percent of all roadkills; 22 percent of these deaths were kittens young enough to still be with their mother,” according to the FWC.

Males reach sexual maturity at about 3 years old.

Lee County includes the Fort Myers and Cape Coral metropolitan area.

To report a sick or injured panther, contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

This story was originally published December 30, 2024 at 1:47 PM with the headline "Three rare Florida predators killed by vehicles in one week. 36 have died this year."