The Endangered Florida Panther and the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

The Florida Panther, our State animal, is one of the most endangered species in America. It used to roam the woodlands and swamps all accross the southeast of the United States, but by the end of the 1800s, it had almost but dissapeared due to poaching and loss of habitat.

Endangered Florida Panther on tree

Today, the number of Florida Panthers in the wild, confined to a much reduced range to the tip of southern Florida, is estimated at about 120-160 panthers. Almost on the brink of extinction, it wasn't until 1989 that the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge was established.

The Refuge has been instrumental in protecting the ever-shrinking panther habitat that these animals need to survive. Not only has this been beneficial to the Florida Panther, it has also aided other endangered and threatened species like the Florida Black Bear and the Wood Stork.

Some Florida Panther Facts

The Florida panther is not black like commonly thought, not like Bagheera from the Jungle Book... Its color is more a tawny, lighter brown, very similar to the cougar. (Black panthers or black leopards are actually common in the African mountains and the tropical rainforests in Asia)
These are beautiful large cats, weighing between 70 to 150 pounds
What do they eat? They are carnivores, they eat deer, raccoons, rabbits, feral hogs, armadillos
Panthers mark their territory by scratching the ground or rubbing their faces on trees to leave their scent. That tells other panthers that territory is "taken". The marking scent also serves to advertise they are ready to mate to any potential breeding partner
Mating season is year-round with a peak in the winter-spring. Litters are from 1 to 4 kittens, rarely do they all survive though. They stay with mom for up to two years. Kittens are born with spots that later dissapear
An adult male panther needs plenty of room to roam. They are known to roam in ranges of about 200 square miles. The females don't roam as widely, staying put within 75 square miles or so. Panthers are loners and travel through their home ranges on their own
In terms of habitat, panthers are quite versatile. They roam in flatwoods, swamps, hardwood hammocks, forest, prairies, or whatever is available
For more information on Florida panthers go to www.floridapanther.net.org

Visiting the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

The Refuge is located within the heart of the Big Cypress Basin, and as many other Wildlife Refuges, it serves as a research and management facility.

Visiting the
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

Although most of the Refuge lands are closed to the public there are two hiking trails accesible to visitors, a short 1/3 mile loop trail and a longer 1.3 mile trail. These are easy trails that give you a glimpse at the different panther habitats. You start on the short trail which later branches out to allow for the longer loop.

Trails at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

Mid-way through the shorter loop there is a beautiful boardwalk/platform where you can stop and take it all in.

Platform at Florida
Panther National Wildlife Refuge

That said, the chances of visitors seeing panthers in the wild at the Refuge are quite slim. Only between 5 to 11 Florida panthers roam the refuge.

So why visit? More than anything, to gain an understanding for the plight of the Florida panther, and perhaps consider joining a program or volunteer to support the efforts of the Refuge. And this being the Everglades, you never know what you may encounter along the trails!

Great time to visit the Refuge is on Save the Florida Panther Day, the third Saturday in March, when the Refuge celebrates its annual open house. Visitors have the chance to explore the Refuge through swamp buggy tours and guided walks and attend presentations and educational programs. All activities are free to the public.

What the Refuge does to protect the Florida Panther:

Management Activities to improve the wildlife habitat, for example through "prescribed fires". About 25% of the Refuge lands are burn each year
Conduct research on panthers activities, preferred habitats, etc. monitoring through the use of radio collars
Refuge Law Enforcement Officers patrol the boundaries looking for illegal poaching, control invasive plants and resource protection in general

Check out this short video by the FFWCC on panther protection activities, including collaring a panther, monitoring panther behavior, as when female panthers are denning and producing a litter of kittens so they can be tagged and further monitored and releasing a panther after rehabilitation.

How You Can Help the Florida Panther

Panthers are in constant threat from highway collisions and a shrinking habitat. Here's how you can help protect them!

Slow Down on Florida's Roads! Collisions with vehicles is one of the leading causes of panther deaths. When you see this sign slow down and Give Panthers a Brake!
You can help protect the Florida Panther by purchasing the Florida Panther License Plate. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWCs research and management of Florida panthers. Buy a Plate.
To report dead or injured panthers, call the FWCs Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone.
Make it a priority to protect additional panther habitat and travel corridors to give these beautiful big cats more room to roam. Write to your representatives!

Florida Panther Crossing Sign

Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge at a Glance

Where?: 20 miles east of Naples, on the northwest corner of the intersection of I-75 and State Road 29.
Access via SR 29

Entrance Fee: FREE

Parking: Plentiful

Public Use Opportunities: Hiking, Wildlife Observation, Photography

Not allowed: Pets, off-road vehicles, biking, weapons, collecting of plants, animals or any artifact from the refuge, and it goes without saying that feeding and disturbing wildlife are definite no no's.

More Info: Official Site of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.