First Lee County Florida panther death reported for 2026, killed by vehicle strike

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A 4-year-old critically endangered Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle in Lee County, the first reported death in the area for 2026.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Panther Pulse website, the male panther, designated as UCFP507, was found dead on July 1 on Corkscrew Road, 430 yards east of Carter Road.  

This marks the 11th death reported by the FWC for 2026, all by vehicle impacts. Five of the 11 deaths reported this year have been male.

Since 2014, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has documented the births, deaths, and depredations of the Florida panther. 

Taking that date into consideration, the recorded stats below show how many deaths were reported up until July 1 and how many were male, female, or unknown. Typically, when a panther death is reported as “unknown,” it is because the animal was very young at the time of death.

• 2025- Seven males, one female, one unknown

• 2024- Nine males, five females, one unknown

• 2023- Two males, four females

• 2022- Eight males, nine females

• 2021- Eleven males, nine females, one unknown

• 2020- Seven males, eight females

• 2019- Eight males, four females

• 2018- Ten males, seven females

• 2017- Six males, six females, four unknowns

• 2016- fifteen males, eight females, four unknowns

• 2015- Thirteen males, seven females, two unknowns

• 2014- eleven males, five females, one unknown

Historically, by July 1, there are more male deaths reported than females. In total, male panther deaths lead female deaths eight out of 11 times. 

The only outlier was in 2017, where the number of deaths reported by that point in the year was equal between both genders, given that FWC classified the “unknown” deaths separately from males and females.

WINK News has recently covered two female panther deaths reported within a week’s span, heightening concerns among Southwest Florida locals about the species' future. 

“Our female panthers have the cubs, so we need that,” Naples resident and business owner Cissy Ramey said. 

Ramey expressed concerns for the Florida panther, bluntly referring to the species' closeness to extinction.

“Forever gone forever,” Ramey said. “We will never get them back.”

FWC says female panthers reach sexual maturity at about 1.5 to 2.5 years old. Litters usually include one to four kittens, and the adult female is responsible for raising them alone. FWC also says females do not breed again until their kittens are about 1.5 to 2 years old and able to survive on their own, unless the kittens are lost.

In late June, the FWC rescued a 2-month-old Florida panther kitten after it was believed to be abandoned by its mother. The kitten, now referred to as “Peppercorn,” resides at Naples Zoo after FWC biologists monitored the kitten and its mother, who was deening at the time.

Biologists noted that over time, the mother stopped returning to the den, raising concern for the kitten. After two weeks had passed, FWC intervened and removed the kitten, transporting it for treatment.

Staff noted that Peppercorn was underweight (less than 3 pounds) and had a high parasite load. She has since recovered and will be transported to another facility to serve as an ambassador for her species once she is deemed old enough by the Naples Zoo. 

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.