Florida Panther Population Climbs
Thursday, June 19, 2014
By: Amy Green

June 19, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando -- The Florida panther population is up. That likely will mean more panthers in Central Florida.

[Photo: Courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission]

Wildlife officials estimate the panther population at between 100 and 180.

Kipp Frohlich of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that might be more than what their habitat south of the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida can support.

"They're really not a South Florida cat that's only found in the swamp. But naturally before they were hunted and their numbers reduced they occurred all over Florida, and we believe that slowly over time that can occur again."

Historically panthers were in seven states. They were listed as endangered in the 1970s. Their population was as low as in the 30s.

Wildlife officials say panthers require large tracts of land to roam. They're working with private landowners in anticipation of more human interaction.