Florida panther recovers from vehicle strike in Fort Myers, becomes species ambassador

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A 2-year-old Florida panther was stuck by a vehicle in Fort Myers, fracturing its front right leg.

The animal was rescued by the South Florida Wildlands Association and transported to ZooTampa to serve as an ambassador for his species.

According to the South Florida Wildlands Association, the panther, whom they named Loper, survived the collision and subsequent surgery; however, he was not deemed fit for release back into the wild due to the severity of his injuries. 

Florida Panthers use their front legs and paws to catch and hold prey. Loper was unable to fully utilize his front right leg, which led to his designation as an ambassador at ZooTampa. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers an insightful guide for Floridians on the critically endangered species. Originally, the diminished population was attributed to legal hunting in the 1950’s. By 1967, the Florida Panther was deemed an endangered species, granting protection under state and federal law. 

According to the FWC, Florida panther numbers declined to roughly 30 cats by the early 1980s. Severe inbreeding resulted in many health and physical problems. 

To prevent extinction, a genetic restoration project was conducted in 1995, which successfully improved the genetic health of the panther population. 

While still under the critically endangered designation, the Florida panther population has seen growth since the restoration project. 

For more information on the Florida Panther, click here.