Panther killed in southwest Florida

Published: Updated:
MGN

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) – Officials say a Florida panther was found dead on Interstate 75 in southwest Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that the 2-year-old collared male was found Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle on I-75 near the Daniel’s Parkway exit in Lee County. The remains will be taken to a Gainesville facility for a necropsy.

So far, five Florida panthers have been found dead in 2016, with four road fatalities.

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

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.