Florida panther killed by vehicle. By John Platt

2009 was the deadliest year on record for Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) and manatees (Trichechus manatus), two endangered species that most often lose their lives when their habitats collide with that of humans. A record high 17 panthers were struck by vehicles and killed in Florida last year, two deaths above the previous high set in 2007. The deaths are terrible news for a species that numbers maybe 100 individuals and which is already heavily inbred. The 16th vehicle-related death, which occurred on December 29, was particularly tragic as the panther came from a relatively pure bloodline. Unlike most other Florida panthers, the female cat did not have a kink in its tail, a birth defect caused by inbreeding. The 17th death was even worse: a three- to four-month-old kitten was killed on New Year’s Eve. Another recent vehicle fatality is still being investigated, because whoever killed the panther also removed its head after its death. Just a few weeks ago, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) put out a press release asking motorists to slow down in panther zones. (Fines for speeding in a panther zone start at $200.) All told, 24 panthers died in Florida in 2009. Three were killed by other panthers (which are very possessive of their territories), one was illegally shot, and two died from uncertain causes—one additional death is still under investigation. The panther is Florida’s state animal, but little has been done to truly protect it in the face of Florida’s booming human population growth. Several environmental groups recently announced plans to file a lawsuit to try to protect critical panther habitats. …

Motored Down: Record number of manatee, Florida panther deaths in 2009