Why We Must Protect the Florida Panther
Every Species Has Value
Florida Panthers Help Maintain The Ecosystem
A Genetic Resource For Cougar Species

Information provided by the National Parks and Conservation Association

Every Species Has Value

First and foremost, every species has intrinsic value. We, as the only species capable of understanding this value, must take every reasonable measure to protect an endangered and threatened species like the panther.

Second, the Florida panther has aesthetic value. This majestic animal is one of the world's great cats. If we let them vanish, our world is diminished.

Both of these reasons are sufficient to raise our concern. Nevertheless, there are also very practical reasons for protecting the Florida panther.

Florida Panthers Maintain The Ecosystem

As the top predator in its South Florida habitat, the panther is a necessary element in regulating the food chain. Predatory hunting by panthers helps keep the numbers of its prey--deer, wild hogs, and raccoon--in balance.

Until recently, the positive role of predators was not understood. Wherever people settled, the presence of predatory animals was seen as a danger, and concerted efforts were made to eliminate them. The rule was to control predators through hunting and even poisons, not to "conserve" them. We now understand that panthers pose little danger to people. What's more, drastic control programs can severly upset the delicate balance of the natural ecosystem to the detriment of humanity, and disrupt the natural hierarchy and balance of animal populations.

Predators such as panthers generally do not reduce the overall numbers of healthy prey populations. Just the opposite is true. Because panthers stalk and kill individual prey animals very selectively, they cull the sick and weak animals, as well as teh very old and very young. This helps improve the stock of the breeding prey population, reduces disease, and lowers the chance of passing on genetic defects. It als recycles nutrients within the ecosystem. Furthermore, the presence of pantehrs keeps animals such as deer on the run, preventing overgrazing. In this way and others, the Florida panther serves as a valuable management resource, helping to maintain balance in the ecosystems of South Florida.

A Genetic Resource for the Cougar Species

The full value of the panther goes beyond the boundaries of Florida. Any species or subspecies that is native to the United States and is now on the brink of extinction taks on a special level of national importance. The Florida panther certainly fits that description. With only 30 to 50 adults remaining, and with many of them either old, genetically impaired, or weakend by disease and poor diet, the panther's situation is grim.

Now consider the implications. The extinction of the Florida panther would further deplete the Felis concolor gene pool and have a serious and irreversible effect on the entire cougar species. The future health and vitality of remaining cougar populations in many parts of the country may someday depend upon interbreeding among subspecies. This occurred naturally in earlier times when their ranges overlapped. Today, they need help. Efforts are under way now in the hope that interbreeding with Texas cougars may help revitalize and strengthen the Florida panther. In fact, the National Parks and Conservation Association project has provided funds to transport eight Texas cougars to Florida for this purpose. At some future time, another cougar group in trouble migh desperately require similar help from the panther.

This will only be possible if immediate steps are taken to save the panther population now--while sufficient numbers remain to make its recovery possible. Only then can the Florida panther continue to fulfill its important role as top predator in the South Florida ecosystem.