Proceedings of the Seventh Mountain Lion Workshop

20 FLORIDA STATUS REPORT · Lotz and Land
domestic dog. We are aware of three valid
panther depredations that were reported to
FWC. The first involved a panther that
seized a small dog by the head and
subsequently dropped the dog alive after the
owner appeared at the door. A second
depredation involved the killing of small
goats from a rural homeowner’s yard in an
area occupied by panthers. These
complainants were given advice on how to
protect their pets/livestock and to date no
further depredations have been reported.
The last case was more complicated because
it involved panthers that were taking
advantage of a hunting preserve that was
newly created by the Seminole Tribe on
tribal lands. Non-native ungulates were
stocked in an area known to be occupied by
panthers and predictably, the panthers
preyed upon these ungulates. FWC and the
USFWS could do very little to address these
depredations because of the Endangered
Species Act and because the preserve was
developed on areas used by panthers.
Although the tribe made a request for
reimbursement of losses, no compensation
was provided. Over time, the Seminole
Tribe has adjusted the type of game animals
that are stocked in the preserve, primarily
stocking and selling wild hog hunts, and
these lower cost animals that are taken by
panthers are less of a financial loss than the
various exotic deer species they once
stocked. Cattle ranchers apparently are
unconcerned about potential panther
depredations based on the lack of
complaints, and FWC food habits work has
revealed that cattle are rarely taken by
panthers. The presence of feral hogs on
cattle ranches provide an abundant, easily
taken prey base that may obviate the need
for panthers to tackle cattle.
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
Current Research
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP
Florida Panther Genetic Restoration and
Management
This has been our focal study since 1995
when 8 female Texas cougars were
released to offset the problems of
inbreeding. Genetic diversity and health
of the Florida panther population needs
to be restored to ensure survival, even
with adequate habitat conservation and
other enhancement measures. Genetic
restoration is a direct and immediate
action that will restore genetic variability
and vitality for a healthier, more resilient
population. The Plan for Genetic
Restoration and Management of the
Florida Panther (Seal 1994) called for a
20% introgression level of Texas genes
throughout the population and
preliminary analysis indicates we are on
target. All Texas females have died or
been removed. A minimum of 59
intercross animals were produced and it
is assumed that 44 still exist within the
population. Fifteen are radio-collared.
This study was extended in order to
collect and analyze critical samples from
subsequent generations of Texas puma
descendants. Our goal is to develop a
long-term management plan based on
our study results to maintain genetic
diversity, health, and long-term survival
of the south Florida panther population.
A final report is anticipated next year.
Feasibility of Using GPS Radio-collars
on Florida Panthers
The use of GPS technology in wildlife
applications has garnered much interest
in recent years but the current state of
the technology and its applicability to
panthers has yet to be determined.
Among the objectives of this study are to
compare and evaluate GPS and aerial
telemetry relocations, calculate the
percentage of successful GPS
relocations, and evaluate the use of GPS
collars on Florida panthers and make