Florida panther genetic restoration and management, Annual Report

Land, Darrell; Lotz, Mark; Shindle, David

Telemetry data were collected on 43 radiocollared Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and 6 Texas cougars (P. c. stanleyana) in southern Florida during the reporting period. Seven radiocollared panthers died during the study period, 3 from vehicular trauma, 1 from intraspecific aggression, and 3 from unknown causes. Additionally, 1 dependent-aged kitten and 4 uncollared panthers died from vehicular trauma. Two radiocollared Texas cougars died during the reporting period, 1 from metabolic complications associated with pregnancy and 1 from unknown causes. Fifteen new panthers were added to our radiocollared population this past capture season. Comparing reproduction among panthers and cougars, 6 female panthers denned during the study period producing at least 13 neonate kittens (7!, 6") and 1 female cougar denned producing at least 1! kitten. Skin biopsies were collected from all neonate kittens and all kittens were marked with subcutaneous transponders. As of 30 June 2000, we have handled and marked with transponders all 15 F1 progeny and have radiocollared 9 of the 12 extant F1’s. We have also handled and marked with transponders all known F2 and backcross progeny. We have radiocollared 5 of 6 extant F2 progeny, 2 of 5 extant Florida backcrosses (2 Florida backcrosses were too young for capture this season), and 1 of 2 extant Texas backcrosses. We have obtained genetic samples from 24 of 36 Texas cougar descendants (67%) and of the remaining 12 descendants, 6 are presumed dead. Apparently genetic introgression is reducing the occurrence of kinked tails and cowlicks. Preliminary analyses indicate that the likely representation of Texas puma genes is on target with the originally proposed introgression level of 20%.