PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers reportedly captured the largest panther in state history last week.
The panther was spotted in a tree at the Tarpon Blue Ag Babcock Ranch in Punta Gorda. After being safely removed from the tree, department officers said the big cat weighed 165 pounds.
In an email to The Floridian, FWC communications official Ryan Sheets said the commission has not publicly confirmed the panthers' weight or record.
According to the FWC, adult Florida panthers weigh between 60 and 160 pounds and are between five and seven feet. The panther is one of two native species of cat in Florida, with the other being the bobcat.
Panthers are an endangered species in the state, with about 120-230 living primarily in southwest Florida below the Caloosahatchee River. The cat is usually tan with a tail (three feet) as long as its entire body.
They also have been spotted in other parts of Florida, with one even venturing into western Georgia in 2008.
Thirty-six panthers were killed in the state in 2024, the highest death total since 2016 when 42 were killed. Of those, 29 died from being hit by motor vehicles.
The high figure could be attributed to habit loss, as man-made construction of roads, highways, and commercial and residential developments infringe on the panthers' territory. However, experts also believe the total could indicate a population rebound in the state, including in the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park.
The commission also logged 13 panther deaths in 2023, although the figure was abnormally low compared to recent years. Twenty-seven were killed in 2022 and 2021.
Panthers are captured each year by the commission for research and monitoring purposes. Specifically, biologists track the panther's general health and monitor for potential disease threats.
