33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County

Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:
panther
Florida panther. Credit: WINK News

Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission‘s Panther Pulse website, the 3-and-a-half-year-old male panther, identified as UCFP475, was slain on Tuesday on Johnston Road, south of State Road 66.

This has been the first recorded death in Hardee County since 2021.

Twenty-six of the 33 panthers found dead in 2024 were due to vehicles; one was struck by a train, two were killed from predation and four died from unknown causes.

A male and female kitten were predated in Hendry County in early September, both at the Okaloacoochee Slough WMA.

Florida panther
Credit: The State Park of Florida.org

The FWC began recording the litter, deaths and depredations in 2014, and the highest reported amount of panther deaths happened in 2015 and 2016, which are tied at 42 panther deaths.

This year remarks the second-highest recorded number of panther deaths since 2015 and 2016.

In 2017, the FWC estimated the population size to be between 120 and 230; however, accurately determining the population is impossible because of constant births and deaths and the limitations of survey methods.

Panther Crossing sign. Credit: WINK News.
Panther Crossing sign. Credit: WINK News.

According to FWC, vehicle collisions are the Florida Panthers’ primary cause of death.

Driving the posted speed limits, especially in Panther Crossing zones, can help keep Florida’s state animals safe.

Click here to learn more about Panther Crossing zones. 

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