IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Lotz, M.A. | |
| Florida Mountain Lion Status Report | |
| 2008 Full Book | |
The Florida panther (_Puma concolor coryi_) has been protected as an endangered species by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) since 1958 and 1967 respectively. Research and management activities were initiated by the FWC in 1981. Many state and federal agencies, as well as several private and non-governmental agencies, participate in panther recovery efforts today. Historically ranging throughout the southeastern United States, Florida panthers were reduced and isolated to a small population of <30 individuals in southwest Florida. To alleviate deleterious effects of low heterozygosity, genetic introgression was implemented in 1995 by releasing 8 female Texas pumas (_P. c. stanleyana_) throughout the Florida panther range. Preliminary analyses show genetic introgression has had a positive impact on the panther population via the reduction of several chronic morphometric and physiological problems. Additionally, Florida panthers have reoccupied vacant areas within their current breeding range as the population has rebounded to >100 individuals. Although several males have dispersed north into central Florida from the current breeding range in south Florida, no females have been documented outside of this core area since 1972. Habitat loss and fragmentation continue to be the biggest threat to the long-term survival and recovery of the Florida panther. However, growing populations of people and panthers in south Florida has led to increased conflict, predominantly in the form of hobby livestock depredations. Recognizing the potential for human-panther conflicts, an Interagency Florida Panther Response Team, consisting of the USFWS, FWC and National Park Service (NPS), was created in 2004 with the primary objective of creating a Response Plan to guide agencies responding to human-panther interactions and depredations. The Response Plan is expected to be finalized in 2008. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |