Florida panther conservation challenges. Darrell Land, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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1 Florida panther conservation challenges Darrell Land, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

2 Map from Young and Goldman 1946 depicting Puma distribution in North and Central America

3 Former and Current Range of Florida Panthers in the Southeastern United States Former Range Current Range Population size estimated to be around 100 panthers

4 Panthers occur throughout the Florida peninsula Most panthers are found south of Lake Okeechobee No females have been confirmed north of Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River since the 1970 s

5 Primary Goal of Florida Panther Recovery Achieve long-term viability of the Florida panther to a point where it can be reclassified from endangered to threatened, and ultimately removed from the Endangered Species List Recovery Objectives 1. To maintain, restore, and expand the panther population and its habitat in south Florida and expand the breeding range north of the Caloosahatchee River. 2. To identify, secure, maintain, and restore panther habitat in potential reintroduction areas within the historic range, and to establish viable populations of the panther outside south and south-central Florida. 3. To facilitate panther recovery through public awareness and education.

6 A comparison of the annual count to annual highway mortalities. The number of annual highway mortalities is derived from FWC unpublished data. This figure demonstrates similar trends in both indices. (Excerpted from McBride et al Counting pumas by categorizing physical evidence. Southeastern Naturalist 7: )

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8 240 > 240 panthers Stable population Population Size panthers Somewhat stable Genetic problems panthers Decline over time 0 Low 50 or fewer panthers Heading towards extinction Extinction Risk High

9 Current population estimated at ~100 panthers Kautz et al How much is enough? Landscape scale conservation for the Florida panther. Biological Conservation 130: Primary Zone Secondary Zone Dispersal Zone

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11 Florida Forever program spends $300 million per year to buy lands for conservation Since 2001, Florida Forever has spent over $2 billion to purchase > 600,000 acres Purchase of remaining Florida Forever projects would require > $17 billion

12 Collier RLSP covers nearly 200,000 acres Plan created by private landowners and local environmental NGO s Current plan under a 5 year review and additional panther needs are being considered

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14 Highways fragment wildlife habitat, deter animal movements and encourage more development. Wildlife/vehicle collisions are an unnatural mortality source.

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19 OK Slough State Forest CREW Florida Panther NWR Big Cypress National Preserve

20 OK Slough State Forest CREW Florida Panther NWR Big Cypress National Preserve

21 OK Slough State Forest CREW Florida Panther NWR Big Cypress National Preserve

22 OK Slough State Forest CREW Florida Panther NWR Big Cypress National Preserve

23 OK Slough State Forest CREW Florida Panther NWR Big Cypress National Preserve

24 OK Slough State Forest CREW Key Highway Segment Florida Panther NWR Big Cypress National Preserve

25 Panther Roadkills Key Highway Segment

26 Wildlife Crossings are Effective Ways to Mitigate Impacts of Highways on Panthers

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29 240 > 240 panthers Stable population Population Size panthers Somewhat stable Genetic problems panthers Decline over time 0 Low 50 or fewer panthers Heading towards extinction Extinction Risk High

30 AVOID constructing new roads through panther habitat MINIMIZE areas of panther habitat affected by road construction MITIGATE with wildlife crossings, conservation easements, fee simple habitat purchase

31 Date enacted: October 15, 1990 $25.00 annual fee (added to existing registration fees) 85% goes to the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund All of FWC panther research and management is Funded by the Trust Fund