IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Annual Report on the Research and Management of Florida Panthers: 2009-2010 | |
| 2010 Full Book | |
This report, prepared by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), highlights information collected on the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) during the last fiscal year (1 July 2009 through 30 June 2010). In some cases, data (e.g., diagnostic or genetic test results) are presented from samples collected in prior fisical years due to lag times involved with processing samples. Historic data are included as appendices. Panther research and management is a cooperative effort, and we acknowledge the involvement of other agencies, particularly Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP) and Everglades National Park (EVER) of the National Park service (NPS). BCNP and EVER have located radiocollared panthers by plane within their respective park boundaries for 21 and 24 years respectively, and resulting data have been incorporated into a telemetry database and are used with permission in this report. No panthers were equipped with functioning radiocollars during the reporting period in EVER. However, population status within the Park was monitored by trail cameras throughout the fiscal year. Beginning in 2003, BCNP was permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and FWC to conduct panther capture activities. These activities have been occurring within BCNP boundaries south of I-75. BCNP assembled their own capture team and have captured previously uncollared panthers, replaced radiocollars due to expected battery failure, marked neonatal kittens at den sites, and recovered carcasses. While some data of panthers handled by BCNP are contained herein for completeness of datasets, more specific information may be found in the BCNP annual report compiled by BCNP staff. During 45 field days, FWC staff captured 10 Florida panthers. These included 6 previously uncollared panthers and 5 previously radiocollared panthers whose GPS collars had been released via manually triggered or preprogrammed release mechanisms. Telemetry data were collected on 34 radiocollared Flrodida panthers in southern Florida during the reporting period by FWC and BCNP staff. Ten panther dens were sampled by FWC and BCNP staff during the study period resulting in the documentation of 26 neonate kittens. Two additional dens were documented but kittens were not handled. Kittens handled at their natal dens were permanently marked with subcutaneaous transponder chips and tissue samples were collected for genetic analyses. A total of 182 panthers have been radiocollared since 1981 and 306 neonate kittens have been handled at dens since 1992. Twenty-eight free-ranging panthers died during the reporting period including: six radiocollared panthers, 21 uncollared panthers, and one additional uncollared panther whose death is stilll under investigation by FWC and USFWS investigators. Causes of mortality included vehicular trauma, intraspecific aggression, and undetermined. Parts of one vehicle-killed panther were poached posthumously. Additionally, one captive panther was euthanized due to failing health. Human-panther conflicts included 11 confirmed depredation events and 3 encounters. |
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