$5 million panther fence to go on Alligator Alley

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

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) – State officials are spending more than $5 million on a fencing project designed to keep panthers and other large animals off Alligator Alley.

The Florida Department of Transportation will start construction later this year on a project that includes 18 miles of 10-foot fencing and work on three animal underpasses east of the Naples-area toll booth.

The Florida Wildlife Federation has advocated for years to have panther fencing along all of Alligator Alley. Wildlife officials say 14 panthers have been killed on that road since 2004.

The News-Press reports three wildlife crossings will be rebuilt and improved as part of the project to help larger animals use those connectors more easily.

Alligator Alley roadway runs perpendicular to most animal movements. Animals traveling north and south must go east or west, to a wildlife underpass, to cross the highway.

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