Florida Panther Census

Wildlife officials suggest the Florida panther population is increasing, though note that they are difficult to census. (News source.)

Georgia Panther was from Florida

The young panther killed in Georgia last year was originally from the Florida panther population, according to its DNA. (News source.)

Cat Sightings

More on the dark felines reported in Illinois. (News source.)

Florida officials are not impressed with a "panther" report from Edgewater. (News source.)

Feline News

Reports of a "black panther" by two different witnesses caused an Oconee County, GA, elementary school's officials to delay school recess. (News source.)

Arizona Game and Fish officials captured and released a jaguar southwest of Tucson, fitting it with a satellite tracking collar. (News source.)

Visitors to a Naples, FL, swamp sanctuary were able to photograph a young Florida panther stalking a deer. (News source.)

FL Panther Deaths

Two Florida panthers have been hit by cars so far in 2009. (News source.)

Panther Corridor Considered

USFWS is thinking about creating a "panther corridor" from south Florida to the Okefenokee swamp. Georgia may be home to reintroduced Florida panthers in the future. (News source.)

Florida Panther North of Usual

A Florida panther has been confirmed in Tomoka State Park, Volusia Co., FL. (News source.)

"Rangers at Tomoka State Park, with more than 8,000 acres in northeast Volusia, have had several panther sightings during the past two years. Some park employees have even seen the cat crossing the road near the entrance to the campgrounds.
"On Feb. 17, Lohde checked on a panther sighting by a local man, who is a skilled hunter and an experienced woodsman.
"Lohde ventured to the northern stretch of the park, near Old Dixie Highway, when he found the tracks and followed them for nearly a mile." ...
"The cat tends to stay on the land north of the Tomoka River, where feral hogs and deer are plentiful. The most recent sighting was last weekend on Walter Boardman Lane, a scenic road lined with marshes and massive oaks that makes up part of 'The Loop,' a scenic highway in north Volusia."

Not a Cougar

A motorist in central Florida called 911 to report a dead panther alongside the road. A police officer sent to investigate found only a dead raccoon. (News source.)

North Florida Panthers

An article at Gainesville.com notes recent alleged encounters with cougar in northern Florida. Not much given for investigation purposes, but the article does include a clickable audio file of a panther vocalization.