Panther History

Panthers used to live throughout Florida.

They bred with the panthers from other states,

so there is no such thing as a pure Florida panther.

Because people associated them with African lionesses,

even though there has never been a report of an attack on humans,

they were hunted, almost to extinction, and they disappeared as

farmers took over the panthers' hunting grounds.

They were placed on the endangered list in the 1960's.

Today the Florida panther's closest relative lives in Texas.

There are only 30 - 50 panthers left in Florida.

They live in southwestern Florida in the Big Cypress National Preserve,

the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve,

the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge,

and on private lands surrounding these areas.

Texas panthers were introduced into North Florida to see if they could live in that area.

They were successful and they reproduced, but the farmers didn't

want them around so they took the panthers back to Texas.

Eight female Texas panthers were brought into south Florida to help stop the inbreeding.

One died, but the other 7 produced 7 kittens.

To find out other problems with the panthers,

go to why the panther is endangered.