2 endangered Florida panthers killed miles apart by vehicle in Hendry County

HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Two critically endangered Florida panthers have been slain by vehicles, both miles apart in Hendry County. 

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Panther Pulse website, on May 16, the two panthers designated as UCFP503, a 1.75-year-old male, and UCFP504, a 2.5-year-old female, were killed, incrementing the death counter for 2026 to eight. 

According to Panther Pulse, UCFP503 was found on State Road 80, 146 yards west of Townsend Canal Bridge. UCFP504 was discovered at Fort Denaud Road, 360 yards west of the junction with Huggetts Road. 

It remains unknown whether the two panthers are from the same litter, given their close proximity of discovery and similar ages. WINK News has contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding the deaths of UCFP503 and UCFP504. Our team is currently waiting for a response.

Prior to the seventh and eighth deaths reported for 2026, the previous death update occurred on May 4 when a 2-to-3-month-old male, designated as UCFP502, was killed by a vehicle on Everglades Blvd S, 120 yds south of 26th Ave SE.

Currently, every 2026 death has been caused by a vehicle impact, which is the leading cause of death for Florida Panthers. 

Since 2014, the FWC has maintained records of panther deaths, depredations, and litter births.

While reviewing data gathered by the FWC, 11 same-day deaths have been reported since 2014. 

Below are the dates, ages, genders, and locations of the same-day deaths recorded:

• November 12, 2023—A 3-year-old male and a 4-year-old male were both killed by a vehicle in Collier and Hendry counties

• September 28, 2021—A 10-to-12-year-old female and a 3-year-old male were both killed by a vehicle in Lee and Collier counties.

• April 1, 2021— Two 3-month-old kittens, male and female, died of starvation in Collier County.

• October 10, 2018—A male and female siblings were struck and killed by a vehicle in Hendry County.

• February 28, 2018—A 3-year-old female and a 5-to-6-year-old female were both killed by vehicles in Collier County.

• May 26, 2016—A 2-year-old male and a 2-and-a-half-year-old female were killed by vehicles in Highlands and Lee counties.

• April 26, 2016—A 1-year-old male and a 3-to-4-year-old female were killed by vehicles in Hendry and Lee counties.

• April 10, 2016—A 5-to-6-month-old male and a 4-to-5-year-old male were killed by vehicles in Collier and Lee counties.

• April 6, 2016—Two 3-year-old males were killed by vehicles in Lee and Collier counties.

• December 31, 2014—A 5-and-a-half-year-old female was killed by interspecific aggression, and a 2-and-a-half-year-old female was killed by a vehicle, both in Collier County.

• December 18, 2014—A 3-year-old male and a 4-year-old male were killed by vehicles in Collier and Hendry counties.

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.

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 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.