Florida Panther Endangerment

Endangerment of the Florida Panther and Florida’s Efforts at Recovery

The reasons for the phenomenon known as endangerment are varied and complicated.

Endangerment can occur either naturally, through environmental changes and evolution, or unnaturally, due to human involvement in the environment such as encroachment and poaching.

One rapidly decaying species in particular has the state of Florida doing its best to find a solution for this historically misunderstood mammal. The Florida panther's numbers have decreased to the point of endangerment due to humans being one of its biggest threats through the practices of encroachment and its resulting inbreeding, as well as vehicular collisions, and chemical exposure in the environment.

As the word out-breeding implies, to out-breed is to let the Florida panther breed with other cougar species. According to an article titled “With Fresh Blood, Inbred Florida Panthers Rebound” by Robert Roy Britt, a writer for Livescience: "A controversial breeding program has improved the genetic diversity of inbred Florida panthers and the endangered animals are on the rebound, scientists announced today.” The progression rate of the Florida panther’s endangerment will determine if this program could create a full on start in order to help the Florida panther’s population regain some of its numbers. Recent statistics show that vehicular collisions are, in fact, a serious problem for the Florida panther’s survival rate as well: "In 2012, a record high of 19 panthers were killed while crossing the road. For a species whose population is believed to be just 100-160 adults, even the loss of a single cat is serious." (Reducing Panther Deaths on Roads). As the Florida panther faces extinction unless programs are implemented to restore its numbers, these statistics are not to be

Another advantage of the Roadside Animal Detection System is that it makes it easier, and safer, for the nocturnal Florida panther to hunt its prey during the night adding to its chance at survival. Chemical exposure is yet another serious concern for the Florida panther. Mercury and pesticides are some of the most common chemicals that affect the animal’s population. Florida panthers are carnivores, and their diet mostly consists of wild animals like raccoons and deer (Florida Panther). Mercury, which is found in rain water can transform into harmful bacteria. This bacteria is consumed by wild fish coming in contact with the rain water. Some wild animals, like raccoons, then eat fish from rivers or lakes and, in turn, are hunted by Florida panthers (Handbook). Exposure to this chemical can cause the Florida panther to have severe problems, like liver damage, due to the poisoning effects of mercury. Pesticide residues are another way that the Florida panther is exposed to chemicals in its ever decreasing environment (Handbook). Pesticides which humans have applied to wild grass and plants are