FWC rescues 2-month-old endangered Florida panther kitten abandoned by mother

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued a 2-month-old Florida panther kitten, after it was believed to be abandoned by its mother. 

In a Facebook post by the FWC on Tuesday, biologists from the state program documented a female panther, reading that she was denning. Both the FWC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the den and documented a single kitten. 

While tracking the mother, FWC reported that she returned regularly to the den and cared for the kitten. However, biologists observed that the mother had stopped returning to the den, and after two weeks without her appearing, FWC decided to intervene.

Staff noted that the female kitten, designated as K528, was underweight (less than 3 pounds) and had a high parasite load. In March 2026, FWC staff carefully removed the kitten from the den and transported her to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens for medical treatment and supportive care.

Video and pictures provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission document the panther kitten recovering well in captivity.

On Friday, the FWC’s Panther Pulse website updated its death counter, reporting the ninth panther death of 2026 had occurred in Collier County. A 3-year-old female panther, designated as UCFP505, was killed by a vehicle strike on Country Road 846, 2.7 mi west of County Line Road. 

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.

The FWC emphasizes the importance of monitoring collared panthers, as without the ability to track, biologists may not have found and eventually rescued the 2-month-old kitten. Monitoring collared panthers also provides information about reproduction, survival, and population health.

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.

FWC says if anyone spots an injured, sick, or dead panther, contact the 24-hour Wildlife Alert Hotline so that panther biologists can respond at 888-404-3922.