Panther killed in southwest Florida

Author: the associated press
Published:
Florida Panther
FILE: The Florida panther via a file photo from the U.S. Geological Survey/ photo by Larry Richardson/FILE.

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) – Officials say a Florida panther was killed by a vehicle on a southwest Florida road.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that the 4-month-old uncollared male was found Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle on County Road 858 in Collier County. The remains will be taken to a Gainesville facility for a necropsy.

This is the 28th Florida panther killed this year, the 19th by a vehicle strike.

Florida set a record last year with 25 road kills and 33 overall deaths.

Florida panthers once roamed the entire southeastern U.S., but only around 180 remain in the wild.

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