Florida Panther (Puma concolor coryi) Research and Monitoring in Big Cypress National Preserve 2003–2004 Annual Report

Jansen, Deborah; Schulze, Steve; McBride, Rocky; Blankenship, Emmett

This report covers the work conducted by Big Cypress National Preserve on Florida panthers between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004. The purpose of this project is to determine the status of the panther population in Big Cypress National Preserve and to determine the panthers' behavioral and/or demographic responses to existing or proposed management actions to ensure that they will not be detrimental, and preferably will enhance, the recovery of the Florida panther in south Florida. Seventeen Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) were monitored in the 217,410 ha study area in Big Cypress National Preserve during the July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004 reporting period. During 39 hunting days, 5 new panthers were captured and radio-collared, 2 had their failed collars replaced, and 1 had its working collar replaced. Nine panthers were lost from the sample: 2 died from intraspecific aggression, 2 were struck by vehicles and placed in captivity, 1 was euthanized due to irreparable injuries, 1 was translocated from the study area, 1 dispersed from the study area, and the collars on 2 panthers failed. Two additional uncollared panthers were killed by vehicles. Three monitored females denned, producing 8 kittens, 4 males and 4 females. Transponders were implanted and tissue samples were obtained. Two of these 8 subsequently died when their mother was struck by a vehicle and removed from the study area. The average home range of the 9 resident females was 163 km2 and that of the 3 resident males was 574 km2 .Recommendations include the construction of a wildlife underpass at Turner River on Highway 41, the biomedical examination of male #104 to determine his semen quality, and the continuation of capture work in Big Cypress given the high rate of loss (53%) from the monitored sample.