Once facing extinction, the rebounding Florida panther has reached a milestone: Florida Fish and Wildlife biologists say they now have "strong evidence" of the first female living north of the Caloosahatchee River since 1973. Some say the news is encouraging for the panther population, but ranchers, hunters, and other land users argue more panthers mean more problems.
Panthers remain the focus of extensive conservation efforts, but development continues to squeeze the estimated 100 to 180 panthers in the region. Roughly 30 are killed in car accidents each year, and ranchers blame growing panther numbers for increasing losses due to panther predation.
We'll hear from both sides of the debate about panther conservation, with out guests:
- Amber Crooks, an Environmental Policy Specialist with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida
- Bucky Flowers, a hunter, hobby livestock owner, and taxidermist