BRADENTON – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is currently reviewing the endangered species status of the Florida panther. The public comment period ends August 29, 2017.
USFWS is under pressure reduce the protective designation of the Florida panther, moving the species from the endangered list to the threatened list. Such a delisting would be disastrous for the panther.
Panthers are under critical pressure. Loss of habitat and increased human activity directly affects the future survival of the species.
2016 was the deadliest year for Florida panthers. A total of 42 panthers died last year, matching the 2015 totals.
More than 80 percent of the deaths involved panthers killed by vehicles.
The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) was listed as endangered in 1967 (32 FR 4001) and received federal protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; "A species can be delisted if the Secretary of the Interior determines that the species no longer meets the endangered or threatened status based upon the five factors listed in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA: (1) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and (5) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.“
Since the listing of the Florida panther as endangered in 1967, panther habitat has significantly declined due to rapid urban sprawl and agricultural land conversions in the habitat range of the panther. As a result of panther habitat destruction, changing the status of the panther from endangered to threathened does not meet the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service criteria for delisting. However, pressure from developmental and agricultural interests are lobbying for delisting to occur.
The Florida panther has not recovered in numbers to ensure its long-term viability as a species. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are approximately 120-230 adult panthers in the population.
Additional information can be found at USFWS Florida Panther Recovery Plan
Comments on the endangered species status of the Florida Panther ends August 29, 2017 and can be sent to:
South Florida Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 12085 State Road 29 S, Immokalee, FL 34142.
Glenn Compton is the Chairman of Manasota 88, a non-profit organization that has spent over 30 years fighting to protect the environment of Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.