Wildlife officials consider a uncommon 2-year-old Florida panther was killed by a car collision in Hillsborough County after the animal’s stays had been discovered on the facet of a rural highway Thursday, based on an announcement Monday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
It’s the primary recorded panther death in Hillsborough County in nearly twenty years, based on spokesperson Carly Jones. A male panther was killed in 2003 after making an attempt to cross Interstate 4 about 9 miles east of downtown Tampa. At the time, it was the primary confirmed panther sighting in Hillsborough County in three a long time. A separate panther was killed in neighboring Polk County in 2020, state knowledge reveals.
Wildlife officials mentioned Monday the 2-year-old male panther’s stays had been found on Keysville Road, which is about 4 miles north of Alafia River State Park in japanese Hillsborough County and greater than 20 miles straight southeast of downtown Tampa. This marks the twenty sixth panther death of the 12 months statewide, of which 92% are attributed to car collisions.
Though the vast majority of panthers are discovered south of Lake Okeechobee, they’ve been documented as far north as Georgia. The animals are thought-about endangered and the state estimates between 120 and 230 wild animals stay, based on the Florida wildlife fee.
“Vehicle collisions are the primary cause of death for Florida panthers,” the state wildlife company mentioned in a ready assertion.
“The (wildlife commission) encourages motorists to slow down and observe all posted speed limits, especially in panther zones, which are in place in several counties across South Florida and coincide with areas where panthers are known to cross. These panther speed zones help ensure the survival of the endangered Florida panther and protect motorists from personal injury.”
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