Two endangered Florida panthers struck and killed by vehicles, officials say

Authorities said two endangered Florida panthers were struck and killed by vehicles in separate incidents, The Associated Press reported. 

Wildlife officials said the remains of a 3-year-old female panther were found Friday alongside Immokalee Road in Collier County. Another 2-year-old female panther was found dead on Monday alongside Interstate 75, which is near the western Alligator Alley toll plaza.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there have been five Florida panther deaths attributed to fatal collisions this year. 

The Florida panther’s habitat is mostly confined to a small region of the state along the Gulf of Mexico, but the animals used to roam throughout the entire Southeast, the AP reported. 

According to state records, 21 out of the 27 Florida panthers found dead in 2021 were caused by vehicle accidents, up from 22 total deaths in the year prior. 

About 230 Florida Panthers still remain in the wild, the AP noted.