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Panther kitten hit, killed by vehicle

Four-month old male panther hit and killed by vehicle in Collier County.

Chad Gillis
cgillis@news-press.com

A Florida panther kitten carcass was recovered by state biologists Tuesday, raising the road kill total to 19 for the year.

The 4-month-old male is the 28th documented panther death this year, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records.

Panthers are one of the most endangered mammals on the planet, according to biologists, with an estimated population of about 180 south of Lake Okeechobee.

Florida panther kitten being examined by biologists.

The Florida panther once roamed nearly all of the Southeastern United States. Over-hunting and development pushed the species to only 20 to 30 in the wild. Genetic inbreeding caused health issues, and it looked 20 years ago like the state may lose the panther forever.

Kittens typically stay with their mother until 18 to 24 months of age, biologists say.

Other causes of death this year include intraspecific aggression (panthers killing panthers) and some are listed as unknown.

Someone illegally shot and killed a panther along Immokalee Road in Collier earlier this year. FWC says the incident is still under investigation.