Study Narrative: Big Cypress Watershed Deer/Wild Hog/Panther Relationships

Roboski, J.C.

Preliminary food habits investigations have revealed that white-tailed deer and wild hogs are primary prey items of Florida panthers in the Big Cypress Swamp. Although the area appears to support a relatively low density of deer and hogs, panthers and sport hunting of deer and hogs have coexisted there for many years. Since deer and hogs are nutritionally important to the health and productivity of panthers, it is therefore essential to assess the status of the Big Cypress deer and wild hog herds to: 1) Determine the extent to which the deer and hog herds adequately serve as a prey base for Florida panthers that inhabit the area; 2) Determine whether sport hunting suppresses deer and hog numbers in such a manner as to impact food availability for panthers; and 3) Determine the potential to enhance deer numbers in the area to further benefit food availability to Florida panthers.