Florida's State Animal, the Florida Panther

In today’s episode we’re talking about Florida’s state animal, The Florida panther: where it lives, how it lives, the conservation wins that brought it back from the brink, and what each of us can do to help panthers and people coexist in a rapidly growing state

Learn More:

• Florida Panther Program - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/

• Wildlife Watch: Learn to protect the Florida panther during critical breeding season with Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide - https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2026/02/12/wildlife-watch-learn-to-protect-the-florida-panther-during-critical-breeding-season-with-ask-ifas-bilingual-guide/

• The Florida Panther: A Passageway to Success - https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/florida-panther

• Panther Pulse - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/

How You Can Help:

• Slow down in posted panther zones, especially at dawn/dusk/night

• Report injured/dead panthers to 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922)

• Report sighting of Florida panther - https://app.myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/

• Support land conservation programs and efforts - call your elected officials!

• Consider a “Protect the Panther” tag and support local conservation partners -https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/plate/

Sources:

• The Florida Panther: Past, Present, and Future https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW402

• Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Florida Panther https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW467

• Florida Panther Program - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/