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Panther Man: Here's Visual Evidence of Skewed Panther Count

Mike Elfenbein makes a good point on the questionable Florida panther numbers Florida records.

Elfenbein, 38, a Charlotte County hunter who has studied the panthers at length and supports taking the animal off the endangered species list, sent Sunshine State News the photo on this page. It was taken on private land in Lee County.

"Agency staff do not have access to most private lands," Elfenbein said. "These three individual panthers are likely not included in any official MyFWC or USFWS Southeast Region population counts. Even if they were included, they would likely only be counted as one individual.

"Despite that fact, all three require habitat and food and play a role in the landscape. By not counting them in official counts, agencies continue to maintain an inaccurate and very skewed account of the effects of an overcapacity population."

On May 30 SSN published a story, "Is the 'Endangered' Florida Panther a Myth?" In the piece, Glades County Commission Chair Donna Shorter Long is quoted saying, "Lists of animal species that are diminishing, endangered and threatened by possible extinction should not include panthers in Florida because these animals are no longer 'Florida panthers;' factually and publicly known, they are progeny of animals imported from another state (Texas) where they are not even close to being endangered."

The panther, one of the original 14 mammals named to the endangered species list in 1967, has rebounded sharply from a low of just 20 or 30 south and west of Lake Okeechobee. Today an estimated 150 to 250 of them stalk deer, hogs and other prey in Southwest Florida, with adventurous males ranging into Central and Northern Florida.

Nick Wiley, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, says, "An endangered species means a species that needs to be under critical care, like in the emergency room. Panthers no longer, in my view, need critical care."
 
The big problem in their resurgence manifested itself in increased attacks on farm animals, more sightings in residential neighborhoods and a record number of panthers hit by cars and trucks. 

"At Big Cypress, wildlife populations are dwindling, the deer herds are disappearing," Elfenbein said. "I love panthers. I think they're beautiful and majestic, and they belong in the landscape. But all these species must be managed to maintain a healthy balance."

Comments

No, and I am tired of this Trophy hunt BS. What do you people not understand about ALL wildlife and a balance ? In many areas the prey base is gone. Do you not understand the cruelty on so many levels ?

Yes, yes, we get it . . . . the only "good" panther is a hunted trophy panther . . . . . PATHETIC

The most accurate and to the point article I have read to date.

Spot on!

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