8-month-old Florida panther killed by vehicle on I-75 in Collier County

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.—The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that an 8-month-old Florida panther has been killed on Interstate 75 in Collier County.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission‘s Panther Pulse website, the female panther designated as UCFP498 was discovered on January 18 on County Road 951, 250 yards north of Naples Heritage.

This marks the second death of 2026.

FWC reports that the animal was killed due to a vehicle strike. 

Since 2014, the FWC has recorded litters, deaths, and depredations of the Florida panther. In comparison to previous Januarys, the highest number of deaths reported within the month comes from 2020, where six deaths were reported. 

A two-way tie for the lowest recorded January deaths occurred in 2025 and 2019. 

In 2025, 18 critically endangered Florida panther deaths were reported by the FWC, with 17 fatalities attributed to vehicle strikes. 

The one outlier was attributed to "intraspecific aggression," which, according to the Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny, occurs when animals attack members of their species. Typically, this is done as an act of dominance or when resources are scarce, forcing a struggle to improve survival chances.

Collier County was the deadliest area concerning panther deaths in 2025, with a total of seven fatalities accumulated. 

According to the FWC, the guiding conservation goal for the Florida panther is to manage this significant wildlife resource for its long-term well-being and the benefit of both the panther and people. 

There are two ways to purchase a panther plate. 

You can become a first-time panther tag owner or replace your current plate with a new one by visiting your local Tax Collector's office to purchase or renew it in person.

Renew your existing “Protect the Panther” registration online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 

In September, the FWC completed its first enrollment period for the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Pilot Program. Eligible applicants could be awarded with per-acre payments for providing habitat conditions that support panther conservation and landscape connectivity, benefiting both landowners and panthers.

The program received 69 applications covering over 172,000 acres in 14 counties; however, only 59 applications met the eligibility criteria.

Earlier this month, a possibly pregnant panther was spotted by officials from the Pepper Ranch at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Footage provided by viewer Tom Mortenson shows FP267 as the possibly expecting mother, noting that she was collared on February 1, 2024, at the sanctuary.

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