Threats to Florida Panthers

Habitat Loss to Development

Habitat loss to development is the largest threat facing the panther population today. Habitat loss reduces the panther's ability to find prey, mates, and suitable denning sites. It also contributes to the two highest causes of panther death, intraspecific aggression (aggression between panthers) and vehicle mortality, as panthers are forced to live in a smaller and smaller area.

Vehicle Mortality

Decades of unchecked development have pushed panthers into a tiny fraction of their historic range. Roads and highways fragment remaining panther habitat into smaller and smaller pieces.

Public Perception

Hundreds of years ago, at a time when European settlers faced harsh new elements in their quest to survive in a wild and young America, panthers were viewed as a mortal threat to humans, livestock, and game animals. As a result, panthers were persecuted, hunted-down, and killed by the dozens.

Intraspecific Aggression

Intraspecific aggression is competition between male panthers for territory. It often results in death or serious injury to the panthers involved.

Genetic Depression

Historically, panthers mated naturally with pumas in Texas and Eastern pumas where their ranges overlapped. This natural exchange of genetic material kept all these puma subspecies healthy.

Environmental Toxins

Much of the panther population lives in the South Florida ecosystem, which is exposed to pollution from suburban, industrial, and agricultural land uses.

Disease

Several diseases affect the panther population. Although there are few documented impacts of disease on panthers, there are reasons for concern.