FELDA, Fla. — Editor's note: The photo above is of Florida panther kittens taken in 2022. This is not a photo of the kittens mentioned in this story. At this time, the FWC has not released photos of this litter.
Three Florida panther kittens are officially part of the first documented litter for 2024, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
This doesn't necessarily mean these are the only Florida panther kittens born this year; rather, these kittens were born to an adult female panther who wears a radio collar, meaning it was easier to find and document the endangered baby panthers.
The litter was documented on Aug. 20 in the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest. There are reportedly one male and two female kittens. Their mom is listed as FP269.
At the time they were found, the kittens were about 22 days old.
Back in 2022, the FWC documented another litter found, also made up of three kittens, one boy and two girls. The FWC Research Institute veterinarian said locating the panther kittens is "like finding a needle in a haystack."
"They camouflage so well, flattening themselves in the brush, staying silent until you're right next to them, then they hiss," they said at the time.
So far this year, 18 panthers have been reported killed. That's more than all deaths reported in 2023.
Florida panthers are listed as an endangered species, and it's illegal to harm or harass them. They are usually found south of Lake Okeechobee, and there are only up to 230 adult panthers in the population, according to the FWC.
The main threat the animal is facing is habitat loss. New construction of roads, highways and residential and commercial developments make it difficult for them to find enough territory, prey and mates, according to The Nature Conservancy.
If you see a sick, injured or dead Florida panther you can report it online or call 888-404-FWC or send a text to Tip@MyFWC.com.
