TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida panther was hit and killed by a car as the number of deaths climbs past the amount from 2023.
The 1-year-old male panther was hit on Wednesday marking the 17th death of the at-risk animals since January, which surpassed the total of 13 from last year.
It was found in Collier County on State Road 29 by wildlife officials, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's database. This is the ninth one to be found in the county and most are killed by cars.
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 commission.
The first one killed this year was killed just 9 days into 2024, and it was a 1-year-old male in Hendry County.
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.