Florida Panther
Cars account for the largest number of deaths of the Florida Panther. Between 1980 and 1990, 20 were killed. A captive breeding program started in 1991 may be its only hope. But even this is not without problems. The small number of animals left is causing some problems with inbreeding.
Poaching is the second leading cause of death of these beautiful animals even though it is a felony under the Florida Panther Act and the Endangered Species Act. Estimated current population is 30 to 50, and they are considered one of the nation's most critically endangered species.
The only remaining population is in and around Big Cypress National Park and the Everglades. At one time their range included all of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, through Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, to parts of eastern Texas, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Early overhunting and trapping, and later excessive habitat destruction accelerated their decline.
More about the Florida Panther here.
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