LIFE ON THE EDGE
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Numbering less than fifty animals, Florida panthers are highly endangered and clearly demonstrate the dangers of small population size.
Although formerly distributed throughout much of the eastern United States, pumas have been nearly eliminated by hunting and habitat destruction. Today, the only eastern population is the Florida panther, found in the Big Cypress Swamp of southern Florida. |
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In the 1980s, biologists began an intensive effort to save the Florida panther. Individual animals were captured, outfitted with radiocollars, examined by a veterinarian, and released. Findings indicated that the health of the panthers was poor, over 90% of their sperm were abnormal, and many had heart murmurs. Reproduction often failed, and the population was barely holding its own. Recently several Texas pumas have been introduced into Florida to reduce inbreeding and improve the genetic health of the population. It is still too early to say whether the puma will survive in Florida.
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| Of twenty-two known panther deaths between 1979 and 1991, half were road kills that occurred as panthers crossed highways.To help protect the Florida panther, underpasses have been constructed to give the cats a safer way to cross the highway. |
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Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation. All photographic images contained within these Web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced or utilized in any manner without the express written consent of the owner. Photo of puma with collar courtesy Melody Roeke © Melody Roeke
Composite photo of dead puma by Jim Angus. Original photo of dead puma by Ron Sanford © Ron Sanford
Page design by Jim Angus |