Florida Panther Genetic Restoration Progress Report

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Information provided by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission

October 1995
TX101 -- TX101 denned just south of the L-28 feeder canal on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation at the end of September. Male panther #45 was located at the den site on 2 October. TX101 moved her den site and several mode days were required to pin-point the new den. Two healthy kittens were examined, marked with transponders, and returned to this new den site on 10 October. The male kitten weighed 3 lbs. 11 oz. and the female kitten weighed 3 lbs. 9 oz. Neither kitten had the kinked tail that is common for other Florida panthers. TX101 has maintained normal behavior around the den site through the end of October.

TX102 -- TX102 was necropsied on 24 October. Death resulted from trauma after being struck by a vehicle causing fractures and hemorrhage in the head, thorasic cavity, and abdomen. She weighed 76 lbs. and was in good physical condition at the time of death. TX102 was pregnant with three fetuses that were approximately one-half term or six weeks into gestation. All fetuses (2 females, 1 male) were normal and would have been born around the first week of November.

TX103 -- This female continues to use the area south of Highway 41 between Turner River and Monroe Station in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The area encompasses about 20 square miles and still has standing water in the prairies.

TX104 -- TX104 began the month with a short trip to an area on the outskirts of Naples that is west of County Road 951 and south of Davis Boulevard. TX101 visited this same area in May 1995. TX104 then returned to the Belle Meade area that she usually uses. Late in the month she moved back to an area just south of her release site in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve.

TX105 -- This female continued to use the pinelands and hardwood hammocks of Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park. She was located with male panther #16 on 27 October. Panther #16 has spent most of the month using the western side of Long Pine Key.

TX106 -- TX106 has remained in the Picayune Strand State Forest. She mainly used areas in the northern half of the Forest and along the western boundary where she ventures more to the south.

TX107 -- This female continues to use the Calusa Ranch area in the Big Cypress National Preserve although she has made several excursions to the north. TX107 has been located on three occasions this month with female panther #23. This behavior mimics that of female panther #23 and #38 who have also spent time together.

TX108 -- TX108 continued to use the pinelands and hammocks on Long Pine Key in Everglades National Park. She was located in the Hole-in-the-Donut area more often than TX105 or male panther #16. Male panther #16 has not been located with TX108. Water levels in the area remain high and appear to be restricting movements of TX108, TX105, and panther #16.

Prepared by Darrell Land, Mark Lotz, Ken Johnson, Deborah Jansen, and Sonny Bass (11\3\95).