Link to the story: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/editorial-rare-panthers-arrival-a-sign-of-progress-20140906/
EDITORIALS
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Editorial:
Rare
panther’s
arrival a sign of progress
Published: September 6, 2014
The recent discovery of a Florida panther track in the
Green Swamp is an encouraging sign for the species
and another reminder of the need to establish a
wildlife corridor linking one end of the state to the other.
Green Swamp is an encouraging sign for the species
and another reminder of the need to establish a
wildlife corridor linking one end of the state to the other.
It also underscores the need for voters to support
Amendment 1, which would ensure adequate land
conservation in rapidly developing Florida.
As the Tribune’s Keith Morelli reports, it’s been decades
since a Florida panther track was spotted this far north in
Florida. The rare panther was near extinction in the 1970s
and is making a slow but steady comeback thanks to
efforts dedicated to their survival.
since a Florida panther track was spotted this far north in
Florida. The rare panther was near extinction in the 1970s
and is making a slow but steady comeback thanks to
efforts dedicated to their survival.
Fewer than 20 panthers were in the wild 40 years ago.
Today, as many as 160 are thought to be roaming across
Southwest Florida. Experts think male panthers may be
moving north up the state as they look for suitable habitat.
Sightings have been reported as far north as Lake Wales
in southeastern Polk County. But not until this recent
discovery by a retired state wildlife officer has one
been placed as far north as the 870-square-mile Green
Swamp. The tracks were found north of Polk City.
Panthers live off deer, which are plentiful in the
Green Swamp.
Today, as many as 160 are thought to be roaming across
Southwest Florida. Experts think male panthers may be
moving north up the state as they look for suitable habitat.
Sightings have been reported as far north as Lake Wales
in southeastern Polk County. But not until this recent
discovery by a retired state wildlife officer has one
been placed as far north as the 870-square-mile Green
Swamp. The tracks were found north of Polk City.
Panthers live off deer, which are plentiful in the
Green Swamp.
But to get there the panther had to traverse major
highways, risking a fate that has claimed too many
panthers as the state absorbs its relentless population
growth.
The idea for a wildlife corridor gained statewide attention
two years ago when Tampa photographer Carlton Ward
led an expedition from the Everglades to the Georgia
border to emphasize the importance of linking wildlife
habitat along the center of the state. The idea is to
preserve the areas where wildlife can thrive in the wild
without having to encounter highways or subdivisions.
two years ago when Tampa photographer Carlton Ward
led an expedition from the Everglades to the Georgia
border to emphasize the importance of linking wildlife
habitat along the center of the state. The idea is to
preserve the areas where wildlife can thrive in the wild
without having to encounter highways or subdivisions.
But that will take a commitment from the state to
identify and purchase lands critical to the survival of
Florida’s native wildlife and an agreement with private
landowners not to encroach on habitat.
identify and purchase lands critical to the survival of
Florida’s native wildlife and an agreement with private
landowners not to encroach on habitat.
The recession brought to a virtual standstill the state’s
land preservation programs, particularly Florida Forever
, which could be essential to creating a wildlife corridor.
This year, voters will have a say in whether to establish a
benchmark for how much money the state dedicates to a
trust that is used to pay the bonds for environmental
land purchases. If passed, Amendment 1 on the
November ballot would put a third of the money the
state collects on documentary taxes on real estate
transactions into the trust for use in a variety of
environmental preservation purposes, the most
visible of which is the Florida Forever program.
benchmark for how much money the state dedicates to a
trust that is used to pay the bonds for environmental
land purchases. If passed, Amendment 1 on the
November ballot would put a third of the money the
state collects on documentary taxes on real estate
transactions into the trust for use in a variety of
environmental preservation purposes, the most
visible of which is the Florida Forever program.
Under current law, the documentary taxes are
available for that program but are subject to being
diverted when the state faces tough budget times.
available for that program but are subject to being
diverted when the state faces tough budget times.
It is remarkable, and gratifying, that in the nation’s
fourth-largest state, a panther could still make it to the
Green Swamp — not far from the bustle of Tampa and
Orlando. To ensure the state continues to offer such
wonders even as it grows and prospers, Floridians should
embrace the corridor idea, and get behind Amendment 1.
fourth-largest state, a panther could still make it to the
Green Swamp — not far from the bustle of Tampa and
Orlando. To ensure the state continues to offer such
wonders even as it grows and prospers, Floridians should
embrace the corridor idea, and get behind Amendment 1.
Posts
2 comments:
Luckily, though, it may very well NOT be up to us! Cougar re-colonization in the Eastern U. S. is happening even despite human resistance from state wildlife agencies(who'd rather not have to use funds in this species' recovery--not too mention get embroiled in introducing a large carnivore where it had been previously extirpated!), and panicky locals dead-set against the notion! Apparently, as long as there are plenty of deer and other game, and sufficient habitat, it WILL happen--human assisted or not! At least I believe(and fervently hope so) this! Let's look at some other incidents(which you are probably aware of, of course....). What about the cougar that was shot by a deer hunter in mid-state Georgia a few years back? They thought at first it was an escaped/released captive, but DNA tests proved it was from the Florida Panther population--another cat that got through the Florida gauntlet, and ALMOST made it to the southern end of the Appalachians(certainly IDEAL Eastern Cougar habitat/range!) Then there was the cougar hit and killed by an SUV in Conneticut a coupla years back. Again, people assumed it was an escaped captive, but ended up(DNA tested again) from the South Dakota population! Those are CONFIRMED incidents at both ends of the Appalachians--what about the very likely possibility of some of these incredibly elusive, far-ranging animals that haven't gotten shot or hit by cars? Even in areas where they are common, they are rarely seen. I have heard "unofficial" but acknowledged ranger confirmation that a few individuals are ALREADY in the Great Smokies National Park, and think it very likely--whether from natural re-colonization, or surviving escaped/released captives, of which there are far more than most people realize..... And CAN survive in the wild, given the right place and opportunity! Like that cougar kitten hit by a car in Kentucky in the 1990's(the driver who turned it in said it was one of 3 kittens following a large cougar crossing the road at night--he hit the tail end one accidentally)--DNA tests on it seemed to indicate it was at least partially descended from cougars from South America! And this likely means an escaped or released captive, as many cougars from the exotic pet trade are from South American bloodlines. Regardless--though I'd be thrilled if programs went ahead and helped speed up and secure the process, I think it WILL happen, whether some people/organizations like it or not! Yee-ha!.....L.B.
Hi L.B.
Hope you are right ,,,,but an occasional sighting does not mean a breeding population..............some form augmentation is required most likely,
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