The number of endangered panthers slaughtered in Florida has more than doubled this year — putting it on track to be the bloodiest year for the big cats in a decade.
At least 30 panthers were killed so far in 2024 — almost all of which died at the hands of drivers.
The most recent victim was found dead on the side of the road Friday near Naples in rural Collier County. The 3.5-year-old male showed trauma indicative of a vehicular collision, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The tragic death comes just five days after a female panther was killed by a car in Lee County.
Vehicular collisions are — and have been for years — the leading cause of death for panthers in Florida, the survey shows.
Trains and other predators were also causes of the panther’s deaths, and at least four were classified as “unknown.”
The shocking death toll is more than double the 13 dead panthers reported in 2023.
The last time Florida reached such a high total was in 2018 and 2017, both years notched 30 recorded deaths.
If the deaths should surpass the 30 deaths, 2024 would be the bloodiest year for panthers since 2014, when at least 42 of the endangered species were found dead.
The rising death toll would be debilitating for the species, which is listed as critically endangered in the state — there are only about 200 wild Florida panthers, a subspecies of the mountain lion.
“The subspecies is so critically endangered that it is vulnerable to just about every major threat,” according to the National Wildlife Federation.
Habitat loss, vehicular collisions and pollution are major contributors to the animal’s struggling population.
