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Land, D.; Shindle, D.; Cunningham, M.; Lotz, M.; Ferree, B.
Florida panther genetic restoration and management - annual report July 2003 - June 2004
2004  Full Book

Telemetry data were collected on 37 radiocollared Florida panthers (_Puma concolor coryi_) in southern Florida during the reporting period; none of the original 8 Texas puma that were released into south Florida in 1995 remain in the wild. Seven new panthers were added to the radiocollared population monitored by FWC this past capture season. We documented 6 panther dens during the study period producing a total of 18 neonate kittens (9­ƒ, 9­ ). All of these kittens were handled successfully at their dens, permanently marked with subcutaneous transponder chips, and skin biopsies taken. We have radiocollared a total of 132 panthers since 1981and handled 169 neonate kittens at dens since 1992. Seven radiocollared panthers and 7 uncollared panthers died during the reporting period. Seven panthers died from vehicular trauma and three panthers, including 1 female, died from intraspecific aggression. Three dependent-aged kittens orphaned by the deaths of their mothers were captured and placed into temporary captivity last fiscal year. In August 2003, these 3 cats were released back into their mothers' former home ranges. One of these panthers, FP114 was killed by an uncollared male 6 weeks after the release. One radiocollared panther died of pneumonia and other infections that were likely secondary to concurrent feline leukemia virus infection. A 4 year-old radiocollared female panther was removed from the wild due to hind limb paralysis and was later euthanized because there was no chance of recovery. Three panthers died of unknown causes. Apparently, genetic introgression is reducing the occurrence of kinked tails, cowlicks, and cryptorchidism. Preliminary analyses indicate that the likely representation of Texas puma genes is on target with the originally proposed introgression level of 20%.

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