Florida panther genetic restoration and management (7508) annual report

Land, Darrel; Lotz, Mark; Shindle, David; Taylor, Sharon

Telemetry data were collected on 31 radiocollared Florida panthers (Puma concolor caryl) and 6 Texas cougars (P. c. stanleyana) in southern Florida during the reporting period. Six radiocollared panthers died during the study period, 5 from intraspecific aggression and I from other natural causes. Additionally, 1 uncollared male panther died of vehicular trauma. Seven 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 14 neonate kittens (8 male, 6 female) and two female Texas cougar denned producing 5 neonate kittens (2 male, 3 female). Two of these litters were F2 's produced by the matings of F1 progeny and none of these seven neonate kittens have exhibited kinked tails. Four litters were backcrosses produced by matings of Fl progeny with Florida panthers or Texas cougars and only one of these 16 neonate kittens have exhibited kinked tails . Additionally, one litter each of Fl 'sand pure Florida panthers were produced. All kittens were marked with transponders. Five of the eight cougars have produced a total of 14 (4 males, 10 females) F2 kittens and none of these kittens have exhibited kinked tails and only one F1 progeny has exhibited a cowlick. Over the same time period, 27 kittens were born to panthers and 20 had kinked tails.