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Panther Milestone Stokes Conservation Questions

Florida Fish and Wildlife
FWC biologists have "strong evidence" a female panther has made a home north of the Caloosahatche River, the first evidence of a wild female panther so far north since 1973.

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:

Matthew Smith is a reporter and producer of WGCU’s Gulf Coast Live.
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