FLORIDA PANTHER

(Felis concolor coiyi)

RECOVERY PLAN

SECOND REVISION

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Southeast Region

Atlanta, Georgia
FLORIDA PANTHER

(Felis concolor coryi)

RECOVERY PLAN

(Original Approval: December 17, 1981)

(First Revision Approved: June 22, 1987)

(Second Revision Approved: 3/13/1995)

Second Revision Prepared by Florida Panther Recovery Team

Dennis Jordan, Leader

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Southeast Region

Gainesville, Florida

Tom Logan

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission

Tallahassee, Florida

Suzette Kimball

National Park Service

Atlanta, Georgia

Jim Stevenson

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Tallahassee, Florida

for

Southeast Region

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Atlanta, Georgia

Approved: i~ector~~utheast

Acting Regional D Region

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

IA, /99=

Itshould be noted that this does not represent a complete revision ofthe previous recovery plan (1987 revision). Changes

represented herein were undertaken solely for the purpose of incorporating and expediting the implementation of genetic restoration

needs into the recoveryprogram.

Date:
Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions which are believed to be required to

recover and/or protect listed species. Plans are sometimes prepared with the assistance

of recovery teams, contractors, State agencies, and others and are published by the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Objectives can only be attained and funds expended

contingent upon appropriations, priorities, and budgetary and other constraints affecting

the parties involved. Recovery plans do not necessarily represent the views nor the

official positions or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan

formulation, other than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They represent the official

position of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service only after they have been signed by the

Regional Director or Director as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to

modification as dictated by new findings, changes in species status, and the completion

of recovery tasks.

Literature Citations should read as follows:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Second Revision Florida Panther Recovery

Plan. Atlanta, Georgia. 69 pp.

Additional copies may be purchased from:

Fish and Wildlife Reference Service

5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 110

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

301/492-6403

or

1-800-582-3421

Fees for plans vary, depending upon the number of pages.

i
TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.INTRODUCTION

Historical Distribution 1

Taxonomy 1

Description 1

Habitat 4

Food 4

Hunting 4

Home Range and Movements 5

Population Estimate 5

Social Interactions 5

Reproduction 5

Health Status 6

Present Status 7

Reasons for Decline 7

Present Threats to the Species 10

Accomplishments 11

II. RECOVERY

A. Objective 13

B. Stepdown Outline 13

C. Narrative 21

D. Literature Cited and Bibliography 45

III. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE 51

IV. APPENDIX

A. List of Reviewers 61

B. Summary of Comments and FPIC Response 66

ii
PURPOSE

This abbreviated revision of the Florida Panther Recovery Plan has been

undertaken specifically to incorporate into the present recovery program a management

strategy designed to restore and maintain the historic genetic character of the Florida

panther. Task 12411 (J)age 25) has been added to achieve this need.

The addition of genetic restoration actions are deemed necessary and appropriate

because available biological data indicate that perhaps even if all major task contained

in the present recovery program are successfully implemented, the continued existence

of the panther would be doubtful without specific actions to restore genetic health to the

panther.

To expedite the implementation of efforts to address genetic restoration needs, a

complete recovery plan revisions was not undertaken at this time. Rather, the plan’s

previous revision (June 1987) has been amended to incorporate genetic restoration as a

component of the recovery program. Text and tasks from the 1987 revision remain

virtually unchanged. For this reason, various information retained herein will not

necessarily represent the “most up to date” information now available, for the level of

knowledge has been significantly enhanced with the implementation/completion of

many tasks that were incorporated into the 1987 revision. However, in order to

provide an updated status report on plan implementation, the Implementation Schedule

(Part III of the plan) has been updated through June 1994.

iii
cooperators, private landowners, and the general public to prevent the extinction ofthis

animal. With that in mind, attempts have been made to involve all responsible parties

in the recovery program. Attempts will be made to maintain a high level of

coordination in order to bring about a successful implementation of the step down

outline which is designed to lead to the full recovery of the Florida panther. It is

imperative that all entities work together toward this common goal.

v
PREFACE

The original Florida Panther Recovery Team was appointed by the Fish and

Wildlife Service in July 1976 for the purpose of preparing, and assisting in

coordinating the implementation of, a recovery plan for the Florida panther. The first

technical draft plan was submitted to the Service in September, 1978, and a subsequent

agency review draft was submitted in December 1979. After further revisions, the plan

was approved by the Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, on December 17, 1981.

The first revision ofthe plan was undertaken by the Technical Subcommittee of the

Florida Panther Interagency Committee. At the time the revision was approved the

Subcommittee consisted of: Dominic Dottavio and Gary Hendrix of the National Park

Service, Tom Logan and Tommy Hines of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish

Commission, Jim Stevenson and John Baust of the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection (formally Florida Department of Natural Resources), and

Dennis Jordan and David Wesley of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The discussion

leader during Technical Subcommittee meetings dealing with the revision process was

John Christian ofthe Fish and Wildlife Service. The initial draft of the first revision

was developed by Don Palmer and John Paradiso, Jacksonville Field Office, Fish and

Wildlife Service.

In addition to the Subcommittee, the following individuals assisted with the first

revision: Oron Bass, Chris Belden, John Christian, Ed Conklin, Dave Maehr, Bill

Robertson, Melody Roelke, and Don Wood.

The purpose of the first revision was to update the original plan by incorporating

new data that had become available, and to delineate some new tasks that might be

useful in panther recovery efforts. The revision was based on (1) information provided

by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Florida Game and Fresh

Water Fish Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Florida Department of Natural

Resources, (2) twenty-seven key panther issues identified at a February, 1986,

Everglades Panther Workshop, and (3) information provided by participants at a April,

1986, Panther Symposium, hosted by the Florida Defenders of the Environment. The

first revision also incorporated an updated recovery plan format.

The recovery plan is intended to serve as a guide that delineates and schedules

those actions believed necessary to restore the panther as a viable, self-sustaining

element of its ecosystem. It is recognized that many of the tasks delineated in the plan

may be well underway or even completed now. The inclusion ofthese “in-progress”

tasks are to retain an awareness of their importance, and to provide support for their

continuation, as may be appropriate.

The challenge of recovering the Florida panther is great. It will take a

well-coordinated and cooperative effort from all Local, State and Federal entities, key

iv
I. INTRODUCTION

Historical Distribution

At one time, Felis concolor ranged from British Columbia throughout the

United States, Central America, and South America to Patagonia. In the United States

today, substantial populations are found only in the remote regions of the western

mountains.

The Florida panther (F. c. coryl), one of 30 subspecies presently recognized,

originally ranged from eastern Texas eastward through Arkansas, Louisiana,

Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and parts of Tennessee and South Carolina

(Goldman 1946). This is essentially the area mapped by Hall (1981)(Fig. 1).

Taxonomy

The Florida panther was first described as a separate geographic race of Felis

concolor by Charles B. Cory in 1896, who assigned it F. c. floridana. Bangs (1899),

however noted that F. floridana had previously been used for a bobcat and, believing

that the Florida panther was restricted to peninsular Florida and could not intergrade

with any other form, assigned it full specific status as Felis colyl.

Nelson and Goldman (1929) revised the taxonomic classification of the Felis

concolor group and reassigned the Florida panther subspecies status as F. c. coryi

Bangs. This designation also incorporated Felis arundivaga, which had been

designated by Hollister (1911) from specimens collected in Louisiana. The most recent

taxonomic review of the species, as well as detailed descriptions of each subspecies,

including Felis concolor coryi (based on 17 specimens), is by Goldman (1946).

Description

The Florida panther is a medium-sized, relatively dark subspecies with short and

rather stiff pelage. It is distinguished from other subspecies by its long limbs, small

feet, and rich ferruginous color (Bangs 1898), particularly in the mid-dorsal region.

The skull has a relatively broad, flatfrontal region with remarkably broad and highly

arched or upwardly expanded nasals. Three external characters are often observed on

Florida panthers which are not found in combination on other subspecies of F. concolor

(Belden 1982) -- a right angle crook at the terminal end of the tail, a whorl of hair - a

“cowlick” in the middle ofthe back, and irregular white flecking on the head, nape,

and shoulders.

Mature male Florida panthers examined in the wild have weighed from 106 to

148 lbs., and measured nearly seven feet from nose to tip of tail. Females were

considerably smaller, with a weight range of 65 to 100 lbs. and measuring about six

feet from nose to tip of tail.
Figure 1. Historic range of the Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) from Hall

(1981).

2
U)

Figure 1. Historic Range of the Florida Panther
Panther tracks consist of four toe marks in a semi-circle ahead ofthe imprint of

a three-lobed heel pad (Belden 1978b). The claws are encased in a sheath and

normally do not show in a walking track. When walking the hind foot is often placed

in the imprint made by the forepaw. Other less easily identifiable evidence that

indicates the presence of panthers are scats, scrapes, and kills. Scrapes are made by

pushing up small mounds of dirt and debris with very short backward raking motions

with the hind feet. These six-inch-long scrapes usually back up against some object

such as a palmetto bush, fallen log, etc., or are found along grassy roads or trails and

are typically urinated or defecated upon. Scrapes are made by both sexes, perhaps

more frequently during the breeding season (Belden, pers. comm. 1986).

Habitat

Felis concolor has the most extensive natural distribution of any terrestrial

mammal in the western hemisphere, excepting man. It is found in montane coniferous

forests, lowland tropical forests, swamps, grassland, dry brush country, or any other

area with adequate cover and prey (Nowak and Paradiso 1983).

Daytime locations of radio-collared panthers in southwest Florida are highly

variable but all are typically heavily vegetated. Commonly used habitat types include

mixed swamp forest, hardwood hammock, slash pine-saw palmetto woodlands, and

oak-pine woodlands. Most day-bed sites are located in dense, 2-3 m tall saw palmetto

thickets bordered by hardwood hammock and wet prairie.

Nighttime telemetry indicates panthers often leave the dense cover used during

the day for more open wet prairie, freshwater marsh, or agricultural land. These

observations probably reflect movement/feeding patterns of prey species (FGC & NPS

- unpublished data).

Food

Throughout the entire range of F. concolor in North America, deer is the most

consistently important food (Nowak and Paradiso 1983). Remains of rabbit, feral hog,

and deer have been found in scats from north Fakahatchee Strand, south of Sunniland,

and deer, rabbit, and raccoon in scats from eastern Everglades National Park (McBride

1985). Deer was found in 46% of the scats, rabbit in 31%, cotton rat in 20%, wild

hog in 15%, raccoon in 11%, armadillo in 7%, and birds in 3% (Belden 1982).

Hunting

Panthers approach their prey slowly and attack with a short, high speed rush at

close range. After making a kill, panthers drag their victims to a place of concealment

to feed. The forequarters of the carcass are eaten first, after which it is buried with

grass and debris and often fed upon later (McBride 1985).

4
Large prey, such as deer, are usually killed by biting into the spinal cord on top

of the neck where the neck and head join. This distinctive killing method provides an

excellent way to identify their presence in an area.

Home Range and Movements

Radio-instrumentation studies indicate that Florida panthers use large areas and

may stay for varying periods of time in a specific location (Belden 1982). An

individual panther’s tracks have been found over areas of 500 sq. km. or more during a

given 30 day period (McBride 1985). Of 6 panthers studied in 1986, 2 adult males had

ranges averaging 666 sq. km., 3 adult females had ranges averaging 192 sq. km., and

one juvenile male had a home range of 433 sq. km. (Dave Maehr, pers. comm 1987).

Home ranges of two radio-instrumented females with kittens in Everglades National

Park averaged about 200 sq. km. (Bass, pers. comm. 1987). During the winter,

panthers appear to move as much in the daytime as at night, but in summer they

normally do not move at all in the daytime (op. cit.). Individuals on occasion move as

much as 30 km. overnight, and at other times remain in the same location for a week

or more. There is considerable overlap in ranges, but adult animals are rarely found

together with the exception of during the breeding period, November through March

(Roelke et al. 1985; Belden 1982).

The Florida panther is a capable swimmer, readily crossing canals and sloughs

and ranging well out into the wetter portions of the Everglades. Even during periods

of high water, it is apparently little inconvenienced. Panthers also readily use oil roads

and tram roads as travel lanes, and routinely cross highways (McBride 1985).

Population Estimate

The Florida panther occurs in remote areas in south Florida with a population

estimate of 20-50 animals (Forrester et al. 1985). On Federal, State and private lands

in Collier and Hendry Counties, the estimate is 23 animals (Robertson et al. 1985).

Social Interactions

Florida panthers are generally solitary except during courtship and that period of

time the female is raising young. Occasionally, however, adult males and females are

found in close proximity to each other outside of the courtship period (Maehr pers.

comm. 1986). The reason for this behavior is unknown at present.

Reproduction

The Florida panther breeding season starts in October and continues through

March, with the majority of conceptions occurring from November to March (Roelke et

al. 1985). However, frequent encounters between males and females have been

5
documented throughout the year (FGC - unpublished data). Males are at least 3 years

old at sexual maturity but females may mature at under 3 years. The gestation period

is assumed to be 90-95 days. Living litters documented in Florida have consisted of 1,

2, and 3 kittens (FGC unpublished data). Four full term fetuses were found in a

road-killed female and 3 fetuses were detected in a female treated for foot injuries due

to gunshot (FGC - unpublished data).

Health Status

Two major areas of critical concern to panther health have been identified -

poor physical condition and anemia of many animals (J)articularly females) within the

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve and eastern Big Cypress National Preserve, and

exposure to infection by several potentially pathogenetic viral, bacteriologic, and

parasitic agents (Roelke et al. 1986).

One of the most significant infectious diseases which may affect Florida

panthers is feline panleukopenia. Antibodies to this virus and closely related

parvovirus were detected in 23 of 26 (88 percent) of the panthers examined (Roelke et

al., 1986). Also known as feline distemper, this virus is a highly contagious,

devastating disease known primarily in domestic cats. Given the pathogenicity of this

virus and the documented species’ susceptibility to it (Bittle 1981; Wallach et al. 1984),

it is reasonable to assume that panthers in Florida have experienced some degree of

clinical disease and mortality, especially in individuals under one year of age. Females

with high titers can provide passive protection to the kittens for only a limited period of

time (8 to 14 weeks), after which the kittens are susceptible. However, once an animal

has survived an infection and mounted an immune response, it probably is protected for

life. Panleukopenia has also been diagnosed in bobcats, and recent experimental

evidence indicates that raccoons are also highly susceptible. Both species in south

Florida have antibodies to the virus, indicating exposure and may function as reservoir

hosts (Roelke, pers. comm. 1986).

Another pathogenic virus detected in panthers is feline calicivirus, a primarily

upper respiratory virus. It usually is quite mild, but certain strains can cause severe

oral lesions and even death. Thirteen of 26 panthers examined by Roelke, et al. (1985)

had antibody titers to this virus. Recovered animals can harbor and shed the virus for

a considerable time.

Another potential pathogen found in the Florida panther is the hookworm,

Ancylostoma pluridentatum. Forrester, et al. (1985) found six of seven panther

carcasses examined had hookworm infection. The mean number of adult worms per

panther was 254, with a range of 36 to 744. In dogs, hookworms are known to

consume an estimated 1/20th of a cc of blood per day. Therefore, a panther could be

losing a significant amount of blood per day at the level of worm infection noted. On a

short term basis, this amount ofloss could possibly be tolerated, but over an extended

6
period of time the loss could be debilitating. Limited research (Roelke, et al. 1985)

with two captive cougar kittens (non-coryi) indicated that hookworms caused severe

anemia, depressed serum iron, poor weight gain, and “unthrifty” condition. Had

anthelmintics not been used, the kittens would probably have died. Hookworm

parasitism in older panthers may contribute to chronic anemia and weight loss,

especially when the animals are nutritionally compromised. Effects of parasitism can

show up secondarily in nutritional deficiencies or concomitant diseases.

Roellce, et al. (1985) speculated that either panleukopenia or hookworms, acting

independently or concurrently, especially when coupled with other environmental or

nutritional stresses, could result in significant mortality in panthers under one year of

age, and could thereby lower recruitment.

Present Status

Panther sightings, most of which are at best questionable, have been reported in

Arkansas, Florida, and Louisiana (Layne and McCauley 1976; Lewis 1969, 1970,

Lowery 1974, McCauley 1977, Sealander 1956, 1979, Sealander and Gipson 1973, and

Yenke 1982). Other reports indicating the possible presence of the animal in other

areas have been summarized by Jenkins (1971) and Nowak (1974). However,

consistently conclusive recent evidence of the animal’s presence is available only from

the Big Cypress and Everglades Physiographic Regions of South Florida (Belden 1978;

McBride 1985; Belden 1979, Florida Panther Survey, Job I-E-1 Performance Report,

Florida Endangered Wildlife Project E-1-03) (Fig. 2).

Panther sign is found regularly in these areas and reproduction has been

documented. In addition, periodic confirmed sightings have come from adjacent areas

as far north as Glades County and as far east as Palm Beach County. Panther sign

cannot, however, be predictably found in areas other than the Big Cypress and

Everglades Physiographic Regions (Belden, et al. 1987).

Reasons for Decline

The decline of Florida panther numbers and distribution has been under way at

least since the arrival of Europeans. The elimination process started with early settlers,

who attempted to destroy panthers at every opportunity because of potential and real

losses of livestock, and fear. Hunting was typically done by using dogs to pursue and

tree the cat, at which time it was easily shot. Given these conditions, it is not

surprising that most populations were eliminated before 1900.

7
Figure 2. Area where consistent documented evidence of the presence of panthers

occurs.

8
CORBETT WILDLIFE

MANAGEMENT AREA

Areas where panther

sign was found or

telemetry data

indicated use

I

N

‘I .44..

4~ ~44 •44444~44 ~ •4CF C

I’

,, .....,.,

., •.•.•.4.•.•.•.•.•.•.•

Present Documented Range of the Florida Panther

Hwy. 80

CORKSCREW

SWAMP

SANCTUARY

FAKAHATCHEE

STRAND STATE

PRESERVE

Figure 2.

9
The panther has only recently been protected in the southeastern States. As late

as 1973, it was considered a predator in Mississippi and given no protection under

State law; the species was not fully protected in Florida until 1958. A significant

panther population was still present in southern Florida around the turn of the century,

but enormous human population growth since has resulted in a continuous and

accelerated decline.

Present Threats to the Species

Present threats (not necessarily in order of priority) to the survival of the

Florida panther in south Florida include:

1. Low population numbers/depressed genetic viability. Low numbers make the

species especially vulnerable to natural or man-caused catastrophes and

suppressed genetic viability. Male panthers exhibit an unusually high

percentage of abnormal sperm. Five males examined to date had greater than

93% abnormal sperm (Roelke 1985; Roelke pers. comm. 1986.). The

significance of this as it relates to reproductive fitness is yet to be determined,

but such may reflect a critical degree of inbreeding, as demonstrated in other

felids (O’Brien, et al. 1985; Wildt, in press).

2. Increased human presence. Increased human populations in Florida have results

in greater human use and occupation of panther habitat by residents, hunters,

tourists and industry. Roads have been built through areas occupied by panthers

and more are anticipated. Vehicular traffic continues to increase annually.

Twelve panthers are known to have been struck by vehicles between 1980 and

1986, 10 of which were killed. As hunter use demands accelerate, the potential

exists for competition between panthers and hunters for deer and hogs, and

occasionally hunters illegally shoot panthers. Off-road vehicle traffic is

increasing, making accessible large areas that formerly had been isolated

wilderness. Increased or intensified urbanization, agriculture, water

management, mineral exploitation, and industrialization in panther habitat have

also resulted from human population growth.

3. Diseases and parasites. Panthers are known to be exposed to panleukopenia,

feline calicivirus, and pseudorabies, and are infected with hookworms and ticks.

Any or all may increase kitten mortality and/or seriously reduce the vitality of

adults.

4. Reduced prey base. Panthers likely need to consume up to one deer or hog per

week (pregnant females two) in order to maintain proper vigor and health

(McBride 1985). There is concern that deer and hogs in several areas of south

Florida may not be sufficiently abundant to meet that need. Reasons for the

10
decline of prey species include human alteration of the habitat, improper

management of the habitat, and/or other human impacts such as water control,

public use, etc. Moreover, much of south Florida has never produced high deer

densities because of low habitat quality.

Accomplishments

Since the Florida panther was listed as an endangered species by both State and

Federal governments, and since the initial panther recovery plan was approved in 1981,

considerable recovery effort has been made.

The Florida Panther Record Clearinghouse was established in 1976 by the

Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and is maintained at its Wildlife

Research Laboratory, 4005 5. Main Street, Gainesville, 32601. Thousands of panther

sightings have been reported and reviewed, and many field-investigated. From these

efforts, it has been confirmed that panthers exist in the Fakahatchee Strand, the Corn

Dance Unit in the Big Cypress National Preserve, the Everglades National Park,

Corkscrew Swamp, Indian reservations, and on private lands to the north and east of

Fakahatchee Strand, extending into Hendry and Glades Counties (west of Lake

Okeechobee).

Panther movements have been tracked through radio-instrumentation studies by

the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the National Park Service.

The resulting data have been computer analyzed to document habitat use, daily

activities, home range characteristics, social interactions, etc., and to identify areas

where panthers cross roadways.

Nighttime speed limits have been reduced in some areas to provide protection to

panthers crossing highways. Major highway improvement projects for State Road 29

and Interstate 75 (State Road 84) have been initiated and special protective features

such as wildlife crossings, bridge extensions, fencing, and shoulder expansions were

identified and determined to be construction requisites in biological opinions issued by

the Fish and Wildlife Service.

A captive-breeding/reintroduction study is underway by the Florida Game and

Fresh Water Fish Commission. Facilities have been constructed by Gilman Paper

Company at their White Oak Plantation near Yulee, Florida, to accommodate portions

of this work. Panther diseases and parasites have been, and are continuing to be,

investigated. Efforts are underway to purchase and secure approximately 30,000 acres

of north Fakahatchee Strand in Collier County. Other major land purchases are

scheduled within the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, Golden Gate Estates, and lands

impacted by the construction of Interstate 75.

The National Park Service is preparing a General Management Plan for the Big

11
Cypress National Preserve that will outline the management of all natural resources

within the Preserve; the Florida panther will be a featured species. The draft plan is

scheduled for release in the summer or fall of 1988.

The panther was designated the official Florida State mammal in 1982. The

Florida Panther Technical Advisory Council was established pursuant to Chapter

38-172, Laws of Florida, in 1983 to advise the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish

Commission on technical issues regarding the Florida panther.

The Florida Panther Interagency Committee was established in May, 1986, to

provide guidance and coordination on research and management activities. The

primary agencies involved in the Committee are the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, National

Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Work to save the Florida panther, and to carry out the tasks of this recovery

plan, will continue to require joint cooperative efforts involving many agencies,

organizations, and individuals. Currently, directly involved are the agencies

represented on the Florida Panther Interagency Committee. However, many other

Federal, State, and local agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida

Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Public Safety, Florida

Department of Environmental Regulation, South Florida Water Management District,

and others, will play an important role as will numerous public and private research

organizations, various local and national conservation groups, and individual

landowners within the present and potential range of the panther.

12
II. RECOVERY

A. Objective

The recovery objective for the Florida panther is to achieve three viable,

self-sustaining populations within the historic range of the animal. First priority will be

to secure a viable population in south Florida. A viable population level will be

determined when enough data are available to develop a panther population model.

The other two populations to be established will require separate population goals.

These population objectives will be based upon the size of the respective areas, prey

base, competing interests for the resource base, regulatory capability and location.

B. Stepdown Outline

1. Identify, protect and enhance existing Florida panthers rangewide and

protect and manage habitats.

11. Identify existing Florida panther populations and occupied habitat.

111. Determine population levels and habitat requirements for

known inhabited areas.

1111. National Park Service ~S),in consultation

with Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish

Commission (FGC) and Fish and Wildlife

Service (FWS), will conduct studies in

Everglades National Park (EVER) using radiotelemetry and will consider the need for

additional studies in south Florida units of the

NPS.

1112. FGC will conduct radio tracking studies in

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve (FSSP) and

Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP).

1113. FGC will expand studies to private lands north

of S.R. 84 (Alligator Alley) in cooperation with

landowners.

1114. FWS will conduct population surveys to monitor

panther activity in Florida Panther National

Wildlife Refuge (FPNWR).

13
12. Protect and manage existing panther populations.

121. Protect panthers from vehicular traffic.

1211. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

will post warning signs and reflectors, where

practical, on Alligator Alley, S.R. 29, U.S. 41

(Tamiami Trail), and other roads as necessary.

1212. FDOT will reduce nighttime speed limits where

panthers may be vulnerable to vehicle collisions.

1213. FGC will develop a plan to provide prompt

emergency veterinary aid for injured panthers.

1214. FGC will develop a protocol for handling dead

panthers.

1215. FDOT will physically alter segments of

roadways determined to be hazardous to

panthers.

122. FGC will identify and evaluate significant Florida panther

diseases and parasites and means of prevention or

protection, as appropriate.

123. FWS, with assistance from NPS and FGC, will develop a

cumulative effects model for the south Florida ecosystem.

124. FGC will develop a genetic profile for Florida panther.

1241. FWS and FGC will identify biological and legal

options ifthe genetic profile indicates low

genetic diversity and subsequent detrimental

effects on the population.

12411. FPIC will develop and implement a

management strategy to restore and

maintain the historic genetic

character of the Florida panther.

1242. FGC will establish a Florida panther sperm

bank.

14
125. FGC and FWS will develop a panther population model.

126. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP),

FGC, FWS, and NPS will develop or revise existing

comprehensive land management plans to address the

needs of the panther on their respective lands within the

current known range ofthe panther, in addition to other

agency land management objectives.

127. FGC will initiate a system for marking and maintaining

records on captive cougars in the state.

13. Protect, manage and enhance habitat for prey species.

131. Expand deer studies and monitoring to improve

management techniques in all areas known to be occupied

by panthers.

1311. NPS will conduct deer studies in EVER to

determine optimum carrying capacity and to

provide data for developing management

guidance.

1312. NPS, DEP, FGC, FWS, South Florida Water

Management District (SFWMD), Collier and

Dade Counties, and other local governments will

evaluate habitat protection and management

actions on their respective lands and initiate

actions to enhance panther conditions as

appropriate.

1313. FGC will continue ongoing deer studies and

initiate new studies in BCNP and FSSP similar

to those studies identified in 1311.

1314. FGC and FWS will conduct deer studies as

identified in 1311 in north Fakahatchee Strand,

FPNWR, and on private lands, with landowner

approval.

1315. FGC, in cooperation with NPS and DEP, will

continue to evaluate the effect deer hunting has

on deer herds in areas of importance to Florida

panthers and recommend or implement any

15
needed regulatory changes.

1316. FGC will refine the Abomasal Parasite Count

(APC) technique as an indicator of carrying

capacity for deer in sub-tropical Florida.

1317. FGC will offer to work with the Miccosukee and

Seminole Indian Tribes (MSIT) to evaluate the

deer status on Indian lands and cooperatively

initiate and evaluate a variety of management

techniques and strategies to enhance deer

populations.

1318. FGC and DEP will continue to test and evaluate

on an interim basis the effectiveness of

supplementing the prey base for panthers in the

FSSP.

132. NPS, FWS, and FGC will establish a monitoring program

for prey species at EVER, BCNP, FSSP, FPNWR, and

selected private lands.

133. FWS, FGC, NPS, MSIT, and DEP will evaluate the need

for, and if necessary provide, increased law enforcement

throughout the year.

14. Maintain and expand clearinghouse operations for obtaining and

compiling panther records throughout the entire historical range of

the subspecies.

15. Monitor panther populations.

151. NPS will monitor the population in EVER and assist FGC

in BCNP.

152. DEP will assist FGC in monitoring panthers at FSSP.

153. FGC will offer to assist MSIT in monitoring panthers at

the Reservations.

154. FGC will offer to monitor panthers on selected private

lands in cooperation with landowners.

155. FWS will monitor panthers at FPNWR.

16
16. FWS will assess the potential benefits of designating critical

habitat.

17. Establish Florida Panther Interagency Committee (FPIC).

171. Establish technical subcommittee.

172. FWS will designate a Florida Panther Coordinator.

173. Develop Participation Schedules.

18. FWS, NPS, FGC, DEP, FDOT, and MSIT will continue to

evaluate present laws and regulations regarding hunting, off-road

vehicle (ORV) use, and public use in general, and to make changes

necessary to insure the panther and its prey are protected.

19. Federal, State, and local agencies will implement habitat protection

measures.

191. All Federal, State, and local agencies will review their

respective policies regarding land management and

regulatory functions to insure actions are consistent with

panther conservation.

A. FWS, FGC, NPS, and DEP will develop a contingency plan,

including implementing criteria, for the removal of all free-ranging

panthers from the wild.

B. Federal and State agencies should acquire land essential for the

survival of the panther.

Bl. FWS will establish FPNWR.

B2. FWS will staff and fund FPNWR.

B3. DEP will acquire “In-holdings” in FSSP.

B4. FDOT, NPS, FWS, DEP, and FGC will acquire additional

lands as a result of the construction of 1-75.

B5. Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) program

should aggressively pursue the purchase of lands within

Golden Gates Estates, south of Alligator Alley.

17
B6. Secure Jet Port property.

2. Establish positive public opinion support for the management of Florida

panther.

21. Establish Public Affairs Subcommittee to inform the public about

the panther and its habitat requirements.

211. FGC, FWS, DEP and NPS will work with sportsmen and

other recreational users to encourage cooperation to

provide maximum protection for the panther.

212. FGC, FWS, DEP and NPS will work with conservation

groups to encourage support for the recovery efforts for

the panther.

213. FDOT, DEP, and NIPS will post interpretive road signs on

Alligator Alley, SR 29, Tamiami Trail, and other roads as

necessary.

214. Federal and State holdings, such as EVER, BCNP, FSSP,

and FPNWR will distribute literature about the panther, its

habits, and ways the public can assist in recovery.

215. All agencies will participate in the production and

distribution of audio-visual aids.

216. FDOT will develop a “Traveler Information Service” for

radios on Alligator Alley, SR 29, Tamiami Trail, and

other roads as necessary.

217. FWS will develop a “popularized” recovery plan for

distribution to the general public.

22. Involve private landowners in recovery ofthe panther.

221. FWS, and FGC will develop a Comprehensive Habitat

Management Plan for the panther on private lands, in

cooperation with the landowners within the known

distribution of the panther.

3. FGC will reintroduce Florida panthers into areas of suitable habitat.

31. Determine where areas of suitable habitat exist.

18
311. Develop priority list of potential reintroduction sites.

312. Coordinate panther reintroductions with private, State, and

Federal landowners.

313. Public attitudes toward panther re-establishment will be

determined in the vicinity of potential reintroduction sites.

314. Potential reintroduction sites will be surveyed for the

presence or absence of parasites and infectious diseases

potentially harmful to panthers.

315. The presence or absence of existing panthers in potential

reintroduction areas will be determined by conducting field

searches.

32. Determine the feasibility of using captive-bred offspring in the

re-establishment or supplementation of Florida panther populations.

321. An evaluation will be made to determine if wild-caught

adult panthers can successfully produce offspring in

captivity.

3211. The primary captive-breeding facilities will be

built at White Oak Plantation.

322. Offspring obtained from the Florida panther and

non-endangered panther matings will be conditioned for

release into the wild.

323. The feasibility of re-establishing panther populations with

captive-raised animals will be determined.

324. Captive-raised panthers will be used to supplement existing

populations where necessary.

33. Determine the feasibility of using translocated wild panthers in the

re-establishment of Florida panther populations.

331. Three wild-caught adult females and two wild-caught adult

males from a non-endangered subspecies will be obtained

and transferred to Florida.

19
332. These animals will be surgically sterilized, fitted with

radio-transmitter collars, and released into suitable wild

areas.

333. These animals will be monitored daily for at least one

year.

334. At the end of the evaluation period, the translocated

non-endangered subspecies will be recaptured and removed

from the wild.

34. Properly conditioned Florida panthers will be introduced into the

wild if determined feasible.

20
C. Narrative

1.Identify. protect and enhance existing Florida panthers rangewide. and

protect and manage habitats

.

Although there are frequent reports of Florida panthers from many areas

of the species’ historic range, the only confirmed surviving population is

in south Florida. The survival ofthe Florida panther depends upon the

continued existence of this population.

11. Identify existing Florida panther populations and occupied habitat

.

Areas inhabited or frequented by panthers need to be precisely

delineated. Present search efforts within the historic range which

primarily involve state agencies should be expanded to include

appropriate Federal and private entities. Techniques and materials

developed and utilized in Florida will be made available to assist

others.

111. Determine population levels and habitat requirements for

known inhabited areas

.

Although considerable research has been, and is being,

conducted on this task, much remains to be learned about

the life history of the panther. Continue studies already in

progress, and initiate new studies on panther movements,

food habits, predator-prey relationships, energetics,

reproduction, mortality, etc.

1111. NPS. in consultation with FGC and FWS. will

conduct studies in EVER using radio-telemetry

and will consider the need for additional studies

in south Florida units of NIPS

.

EVER has remained virtually free of human

development for the last 40 years. It is essential

to radio-instrument panthers there and study this

population segment for comparison with data

from concurrent studies in areas of different

vegetative types and known to be impacted by

various human activities. Studies were recently

initiated in EVER (11/86) to augment the

panther and deer studies presently underway in

BCNP and FSSP.

21
1112. FGC will conduct radio tracking studies in FSSP

and BCNP

.

FGC has radio-tracked panthers in FSSP and

BCNP since 1981. Much has been learned from

these studies. It continues to be important to

study this segment of the population since it

appears to be in poor health with little

recruitment. Results from these studies will be

compared with results from Task 1111.

1113. FGC will expand studies to private lands north

of Alligator Alley in cooperation with

landowners

.

At the present, an estimated 20-50 panthers

inhabit south Florida. About one-half of these

are believed to occur on private lands which are

managed differently than public lands. It is

important to determine panther distribution and

survival on these private lands. Radio-telemetry

and intensive ground surveys will be required.

These studies should be similar to those outlined

in 1111 and 1112 for panthers on public lands.

1114. FWS will conduct population surveys to monitor

panther activity in FPNV~TR

.

This will be one of the first priority actions for

the new FPNWR in order to develop and refine

management actions.

12. Protect and manage existing panther populations

.

With only a small remnant population of Florida panthers known to

survive in south Florida, it is essential these animals be carefully

protected and managed to secure their continued existence.

121. Protect panthers from vehicular traffic

.

Vehicles striking panthers has become the major known

cause of panther mortality in south Florida. The

endorsement of measures being developed through the

FPIC to address this problem by FDOT and Florida

22
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

(FDHS) is essential. Active participation from these

Departments will be sought by the FPIC in the

development ofthese measures.

1211. FDOT will post warnina signs and reflectors

.

where practical. on Alli2ator Alley. S.R. 29

.

U.S. 41. and other roads as necessary

.

Some areas where panthers cross roads or have

been killed by vehicles have been posted with

reduced speed limits. Checks should be made to

insure all such areas are prominently posted. In

addition, consideration should be given to

posting all roads within known panther range.

FDOT should initiate studies to determine if

reflectors will help reduce the incidence of

highway fatalities.

1212. FDOT will reduce nighttime speed limits where

panthers may be vulnerable to vehicle collisions

.

If necessary, reduced nighttime speed limits on

additional segments of roadways will be posted.

Strict enforcement shall be shared by the Florida

Highway Patrol (FHP), local law enforcement

officers, FWS and FCC enforcement officers.

1213. FCC will develop a plan to provide prompt

emergency veterinary aid for injured panthers

.

A contingency plan will be developed to assist

panthers injured by vehicular accidents. Such a

plan should include methods of rapid movement,

temporary and long-term holding facilities, etc.

Veterinary expertise should be available on short

notice.

1214. FGC will develop a protocol for handling dead

panthers

.

The goal will be to maximize the biological,

medical, genetic, and forensic information to be

23
gained from each animal.

1215. FDOT will physically alter segments of

roadways determined to be hazardous to

panthers

.

Segments of SR-29 and plans for the proposed

1-75 have been modified to protect the panther.

As other roadways are scheduled for repairs or

realignment, similar protective measures should

be incorporated into the design. This includes

moving the road bed to increase the size of the

shoulder and other modifications.

122. FCC will identify and evaluate significant Florida panther

diseases and Darasites and means of prevention or

protection. as appropriate

.

Hookworms are known to infest Florida panthers; panthers

are also susceptible to feline distemper (panleukopenia).

Both may be factors in suppressing panther recruitment.

Studies should be continued on panther diseases and their

significance to wild populations. These studies should

include an experimental evaluation of the pathogenicity of

both of these agents in surrogate hosts, such as captive

cougars. Consideration should be given to improving the

health of wild populations. This may involve prey base

enhancement, as well as prevention or protection,

including capture and immunization. All panthers caught

in the wild or held in captivity should be inoculated

against panleukopenia.

123. FWS. with assistance from NPS and FCC. will develop a

cumulative effects model for the south Florida ecosystem

.

As human population growth continues in south Florida, it

will be necessary to predict its impact on panther habitat.

To accomplish this, a cumulative impact model, similar to

one developed for the grizzly bear in Yellowstone National

Park, should be developed. This model should address the

impacts of hydrology, agriculture, air pollution, human

population growth, roads, recreation, etc. The FWS will

utilize input from all appropriate entities in this effort.

24
124. FCC will develoD a 2enetic t,rofile for Florida panther.

Genetic variability of the Florida panther should be

assessed using blood and tissue electrophoretic evaluations

and other techniques. Similar analyses of other subspecies

of F. concolor should also be conducted for comparative

purposes.

1241. FWS and FCC will identify biological and le2al

options ifthe genetic profile indicates low

genetic diversity and subsequent detrimental

effects on the population

.

12411. FPIC will develop and implement a

management strategy to restore and

maintain the historic genetic

character of the Florida panther

.

A genetic profile describing the

historic character of the Florida

panther will be established and a

management plan designed to achieve

and maintain this profile will be

developed and implemented. The

plan will describe scientific controls

to be utilized, genetic and

morphological objectives,

management needs, source stock,

methods, monitoring needs and etc.

1242. FCC will establish a Florida panther sperm

bank

.

Sperm should be collected and preserved from

both wild and captive panthers and from dead

animals in which the sperm is still viable.

125. FGC and FWS will develop a panther population model

.

To arrive at an estimate for the minimum viable

population (MVP), it will be necessary to develop a

population model. Needed for such a model are data on

natality, mortality, recruitment, and compensatory

mechanisms. The above data may have to come, in part,

25
from other non-endangered subspecies of Felis concolor.

126. DEP. FGC. FWS and NIPS will develop or revise existin2

comprehensive land management plans to address the

needs of the panther on their respective lands within the

current known range of the panther. in addition to other

agency land management objectives

.

These comprehensive plans will implement specific agency

tasks outlined in the implementation schedule and

committed to in the agencies’ participation schedule (see

173). The plans will outline specific tasks to enhance

habitat conditions for panthers and will address all facets

of each agency’s responsibilities and capabilities for

management offire, water, recreation, vegetation, etc.

They will be reviewed by the FPIC. A priority list for

land acquisition efforts related to the panther will also be

addressed, though it may be through a separate agency

process. These plans and priorities will be developed or

revised using existing agency processes.

127. FGC will initiate a system for marking and maintaining

records on captive cougars in the state

.

It has been estimated that there are over 1,000 captive

cougars in Florida (Capt. Barry Cook, pers. comm. 1986).

These animals pose a potential problem to the recovery of

the Florida panther due to the confusion over the true

status and distribution of the native population as a result

of escapes and intentional releases. Some system of

marking (such as tattooing) and careful record-keeping is

needed to keep track ofthese captive animals and to make

the owners responsible for the continued up-keep of them

in captivity (Belden 1982).

13. Protect, manage and enhance habitat for prey species

.

The basic prey for panthers in Florida is white-tailed deer and

hogs. Panthers are opportunistic feeders as evidenced by the

variety of other animals found in their scats and stomachs.

However, for panthers to reproduce successfully, it is highly

desirable that large prey species be available.

26
131. Expand deer studies and monitoring and improve

management techniques in all areas known to be occupied

by panthers

.

At present, limited deer studies have been conducted in the

Corn Dance and Bear Island Units ofthe BCNP. Results

indicate that differences do exist in physiological

conditions and abundance between the two deer herds. It

is essential to expand these studies and initiate new studies

in other areas known to be occupied by panthers. These

studies will help identify factors regulating deer

populations in each of the areas. One of the first priorities

for the FPNWR will be to expand this effort to include

this new acquisition area.

1311. NIPS will conduct deer studies in EVER to

determine optimum carrying capacity and to

provide data for developing management

guidance

.

The use of radio-telemetry will provide data on

habitat use, energetics, etc.A representative

sample of deer must be collected to analyze

reproduction and general health status of the

overall deer population.

1312. NIPS. DEP. FCC. FWS. SFWMD. Collier and

Dade Counties. and other local governments will

evaluate habitat protection and management

actions on their respective lands and initiate

actions to enhance panther conditions as

appropnate

.

To perpetuate the natural distribution and

abundance ofthe Florida panther and its primary

prey, it will be necessary to evaluate current

management actions such as fire management,

exotic species eradication programs, and habitat

restoration programs. These management

actions and programs will be adjusted as

appropriate to improve panther habitat consistent

with other natural resource management

guidelines. FWS and DEP should actively move

forward with experimental programs designed to

27
increase the carrying capacities for deer on their

respective lands. This effort should include, but

not necessarily be limited to, manipulating

present habitat conditions to encourage native

vegetation preferred by deer. Consistent with

overall natural resource management objectives,

NPS will place management emphasis on the

elimination of exotic species and restoration of

disturbed lands to natural systems. The inherent

diversity and productivity of natural habitats on

restored lands may havea beneficial impact on

deer populations and thus aid in panther

recovery. Additionally, it may be determined

through studies that the use of controlled fire

may providea means to better replicate natural

conditions that are more suitable for the panther.

FWS and DEP will carry out exotic plant control

measures and burning programs as needed on

their respective lands (FPNWR and FSSP) in

order to improve and maintain optimum habitat

conditions for panthers.

1313. FCC will continue ongoing deer studies and

initiate new studies in BCNP and in FSSP

similar to those studies identified in 1311

.

Studies involving reproduction and general

health status of deer in the Corn Dance and Bear

Island Units of BCNP have involved the

collection of does and information from deer

taken by hunters. To complement the research

identified in 1311, similar research should be

conducted in FSSP and other units of BCNP.

This will providea broad data base for deer in

two distinct habitats.

1314. FGC and FWS will conduct deer studies as

identified in 1311 in north Fakahatchee Strand

.

FPNWR. and on private lands, with landowner

approval

.

Over one-half of all panthers may occur on

private lands to the north ofthe public lands.

There are no available data for the deer herds on

28
these lands. It has been reported that panthers

are healthier in these areas and recruitment is

occurring. It is essential to understand why, and

to determine if management alternatives exist

which might improve the deer situation on public

lands. The panthers in FSSP are apparently

underweight and their diet is comprised largely

ofraccoons. There appears to be little

recruitment. To improve the situation, habitat

modification or food plots should be initiated in

the FSSP and FPNWR and the response of deer

measured.

1315. FGC. in cooperation with NPS and DEP. will

continue to evaluate the effect deer huntin2 has

on deer herds in areas of importance to Florida

panthers and recommend or implement any

needed regulatory changes

.

The issue of deer hunting on public lands has

been debated for several years. Opinions are

varied as to the effect hunting is having on

suppressing deer. Studies will be undertaken to

identify any impacts to panthers and

recommendations developed to mitigate any

identified impacts.

1316. FCC will refine the APC technique as an

indicator of carrying capacity for deer in

sub-tropical Florida

.

The use of APCs has been widely accepted as

one measure of the health ofa deer herd. The

Southeastern Wildlife Cooperative Disease

Study, Athens, Georgia, has developed the

standards for this technique. Specific application

ofthe technique needs to be refined for proper

use and interpretation in sub-tropical Florida.

1317. FCC will offer to work with the MSIT to

evaluate the deer status on Indian lands and

cooperatively initiate and evaluatea variety of

management techniques and strategies to enhance

deer populations

.

29
Panthers have been documented on the two

Indian Reservations in south Florida but no

information is available on the status of the deer

herds on either. As on private lands, this

information is important for the development of

suitable management programs for the panther.

The same methodology developed to study deer

in EVER and BCNP should be appropriate.

Once the status of the deer herds is known, an

active deer management program should be

initiated on tribal lands to improve the habitat

for deer.A prescribed burning program will set

back succession and increase edge.

Clearcutting, and selective thinning will also

open up areas which will promote deer browse.

To supplement the management programs, deer

food plots may also be an effective tool to

increase the number of deer.

1318. FCC and DEP will continue to test and evaluate

on an interim basis the effectiveness of

supplementing the prey base for panthers in the

FSSP

.

In March 1986, twelve radio-collared sterilized

hogs were released in FSSP and the southern

Golden Gate Estates to examine the feasibility of

supplementing the diets of2 adult female

panthers. One hog was killed by an adult male

panther on July 14, 1986. Other predators,

including black bears and an alligator, killed4

others. Three were taken by humans and4 were

lost due to radio failures or unknown causes.

All hog collars failed or were collected by

January 1, 1987 (Maehr, pers. comm 1987).

Additional experimental releases should be

attempted using deer to temporarily supplement

the prey base for selected individuals that are in

poor physical condition.

132. NPS. FWS. and FCC will establisha monitoring program

for prey species at EVER. BCNP. FSSP. FPNWR. and

selected private lands

.

30
Following the development and implementation of

management techniques identified in 131, long term

monitoring must be carried out to determine their

effectiveness.

133. FWS. FCC. NIPS. MSIT. and DEP will evaluate the need

for. and if necessary provide, increased law enforcement

throughout the year

.

The illegal talting of deer and hogs out of season, and

taking more than the legal limit during the season, may be

a serious problem. To curtail these activities, increased

law enforcement may be necessary in certain areas in

south Florida. This may require reassigning officers or

hiring additional ones for these areas.

14. Maintain and expand clearinghouse operations for obtaining and

compiling pantherrecords throughout the entire historical range of

the-subspecies

.

Each year many panther sightings are reported from Florida and

elsewhere within the former range of the species. A central

clearinghouse has been established in Florida so that all in-state

reports can be investigated and categorized. The clearinghouse

concept will be expanded to include all states within the former

range of panthers by the FWS with cooperation of respective states.

It is necessary that all panther reports are evaluated so that no

possibility of surviving populations is overlooked.

15. Monitor panther populations

.

Once the extant populations of panthers are known, it will be

necessary to periodically monitor the status of each population.

151. NIPS will monitor the population in EVER and assist FCC

in BCNP

.

The NIPS will monitor the population in EVER. This is

probably the only population virtually free of human

disturbance. NIPS will assist FCC in a monitoring

program at BCNP.

152. DEP will assist FCC in monitoring panthers at FSSP

.

31
A few panthers remain at FSSP. DEP has the

responsibility for management ofthis tract. DEP should

assist FCC in the monitoring efforts.

153. FCC will offer to assist MSIT in monitoring panthers at

the Reservations

.

154. FCC will offer to monitor panthers on selected private

lands in cooperation with landowners

.

Over one-half the known panther population occurs on

private lands. It is imperative that monitoring this

segment of the population be initiated, especially in view

of habitat loss due to the accelerated growth of citrus

production and other agricultural operations in south

Florida.

155. FWS will monitor panthers at FPNWR

.

16. FWS will assess the potential benefits of designating critical

habitat

.

It should be ascertained whether a designation of critical habitat

will aid in the conservation and recovery of the Florida panther.

17. Establish FPIC

.

The FPIC was established in May 1986 to enhance the

implementation of all necessary conservation efforts. The long

term goal of this Committee is to restore the panther to

non-endangered status in the wild by assuring coordinated

implementation of the Florida panther recovery plan. The

committee is comprised of the Agency persons having the authority

to make decisions regarding primary actions necessary for the

recovery of the panther. The agencies having this primary

responsibility are FWS, NIPS, FCC, and DEP. Other agencies will

be requested to participate as needed.

171. Establish technical subcommittee

.

The objectives of the Technical Subcommittee are to 1)

insure technical coordination between agency actions to

recover the Florida panther; 2) provide technical staff

support and advice to the FPIC on any issue; 3) provide

32
recommendations to the FPIC on specific actions; and 4)

revise the recovery plan as needed. Expertise and input

from other appropriate sources will be utilized by the

subcommittee in accomplishing these objectives.

172. FWS will designate a Florida Panther Coordinator

.

In order to supplement and increase FWS involvement in

panther issues and activities, a full-time coordinator will

be designated.

173. Develop Participation Schedules

.

FWS, FCC, DEP, and NIPS and the other involved

agencies and groups will develop individual participation

schedules which outline specific commitments to

implement tasks contained in the implementation schedule

of the recovery plan. These participation schedules will

outline what will be done and when and document

available funding.

18. FWS. NIPS. FCC. DEP. FDOT. and MSIT will continue to

evaluate present laws and regulations regarding huntin2. ORV use

.

and public use in general. and to make changes necessary to insure

the panther and its prey are protected

.

There are many State and Federal laws and regulations that protect

wildlife and the natural environment on lands under State or

Federal jurisdiction. Some of these laws and regulations have been

changed in recent years to benefit the panther. Agencies

responsible for the panther must continue to review these laws and

regulations in light of new information on the panther, and modify

them where necessary. FCC has taken action, in cooperation with

DEP, to close hunting of deer and hogs in that portion of

Fakahatchee Strand lying south of Alligator Alley effective July 1,

1987.

19. Federal. State. and local agencies will implement habitat protection

measures

.

Ifthe habitat of the panther is not protected and managed, the

panther probably will not survive. It is incumbent on all agencies

to do whatever they can to insure that their management and

regulatory programs are compatible with panther recovery efforts.

33
191. All Federal. State. and local agencies will review their

respective policies regarding land management and

regulatory functions to insure actions are consistent with

panther conservation

.

All agencies should review agency policies that affect

lands under theirjurisdiction in south Florida, and insure

that those policies benefit the panther. This may require

policy revisions in some cases. Regulatory agencies must

also utilize their authorities to insure that the panther and

its habitat receive maximum allowable protection. The

comprehensive Habitat Management Plan under task 221

will provide important guidance and direction needed by

agencies in accomplishing this.

A. FWS. FGC. NIPS. and DEP will develop a contingency plan

.

including implementing criteria. for the removal of all free-ranging

panthers from the wild

.

If it is determined that panthers are unable to survive in the wild,

the remaining animals will be removed from the wild and placed in

facilities suitable for maintaining and breeding them in captivity.

B. Federal and State Agencies should acquire land essential for the

survival of the panther

.

As lands are identified as essential for the panther, they should be

acquired and appropriately managed by the responsible agencies.

Bi. FWS will establish FPNWR

.

FWS has initiated acquisition actions for this refuge,

which will total approximately 32,000 acres in size and be

located north of Alligator Alley and west of SR-29. The

Service should close on this very important tract of land as

soon as possible. An Environmental Assessment on the

acquisition of this tract has already been prepared by

FWS.

B2. FWS will staff and fund FPNWR

.

34
B3. DEP will acquire “in-holdings” in FSSP.

DEP has established a field office in Naples to accelerate

acquisition of these important habitat areas. They are in

the process of purchasing land along the perimeter of

FSSP which lies south of Alligator Alley and west of SR29. DEP will also purchase “in-holdings” within the

preserve. Only when all of the private lands in the

preserve are under public ownership will DEP be able to

pursue an aggressive management program for the panther

there. Until such time, DEP must take into consideration

the impact any program will have on private landowners in

the area.

B4. FDOT. NPS. FWS. DEP and FGC will acquire additional

lands as a result of the construction of 1-75

.

As part of the 1-75 Interstate Highway project, State and

Federal governments will purchase lands not scheduled for

access to the Highway. This extensive acquisition project

will increase considerably the amount of acreage in public

ownership and has been identified as essential to the

recovery of the panther.

BS. CARL program should aggressively pursue the purchase of

lands within Golden Gate Estates. south of Alligator

Alley

.

DEP’s field office in Naples is presently involved in

acquisition efforts for these lands which are occupied by

the panther and are considered essential to its recovery.

B6. Secure Jet Port Property

.

Panthers have recently been documented on this tract

which is owned by Dade County. FCC and NIPS currently

have separate agreements with the County dealing with

various activities including regulating some types of

recreational use and fire management. The FPIC should

evaluate the existing agreements to determine if additional

features should be incorporated in order to provide for

improved conditions for the panther. Furthermore, should

an action or actions be contemplated in the future by Dade

County which would likely significantly reduce the value

35
ofthe property as panther habitat, immediate steps must

be taken by the FPIC to provide for an appropriate level

oflong-term security of the habitat. This could be

accomplished through fee title acquisition or some other

appropriate means.

2. Establish positive public opinion support for the management of Florida

panther

.

To actively pursue a recovery program, it is essential the public

understand and support the effort. It is incumbent on every agency

involved to insure its part in the recovery effort is clearly explained to the

public.

21. Establish Public Affairs Subcommittee to inform the public about

the panther and its habitat requirements

.

The most important effort in the recovery of the panther must be

directed at protecting its habitat. The public must be made aware

of the uniqueness of this animal, its specific habitat requirements,

and the need to preserve the integrity ofthe habitat through TV,

radio, and newspaper and popular articles. The Public Affairs

Subcommittee will consist of a representative from each agency on

the FPIC.

211. FGC. FWS. DEP and NIPS will work with sportsmen and

other recreational users to encourage cooperation to

provide maximum protection for the panther

.

The hunting community can be a valuable ally in the

protection and recovery of the panther. It is imperative

that the agencies work with these groups to insure that the

value of the panther is recognized and their active

participation in panther conservation is solicited.

212. FCC. FWS. DEP. and NIPS will work with conservation

groups to encourage support for the recovery efforts for

the panther

.

Several conservation organizations have been extremely

supportive of efforts to protect the panther. These

organizations should be kept informed of progress made in

the recovery effort. The proper distribution of the Florida

panther newsletter, “Coryi,” will aid in accomplishing

36
this.

213. FDOT. DEP. and NPS will post interpretive road signs on

Alligator Alley. SR 29. Tamiami Trail. and other roads as

necessary

.

As tourism increases in south Florida, it is important to

alert drivers about the panther. Panthers have been killed

or injured on all three of these highways over the last

several years. At present, interpretive road signs have

been posted in certain areas warning motorists about the

panther and the need to drive with caution. Similar signs

may be required on other highways as well, such as

US-27.

214. Federal and State holdings. such as EVER. BCNP. FSSP

and FPNWR will distribute literature about the panther. its

habits. and ways the public can assist in its recovery

.

As tourism increases, visits to Federal and State

installations will increase. It would be useful to distribute

literature about the panther and the recovery efforts at

these facilities. This literature should identify ways the

public can help in the effort, and provide addresses where

more information can be obtained, or a monetary

contribution submitted.

215. All agencies will participate in the production and

distribution of audio-visual aids

.

To reach more of the general public with information

about the panther and its needs, movies, slide, and video

programs should be presented to church groups, schools,

fraternal organizations, etc.

216. FDOT will develop a “Traveler Information Service” for

radios on Alligator Alley. SR-29. Tamiami Trail. and

other roads as necessary

.

This service will alert motorists about the panther and

protective traffic regulations in the areas involved.

37
217. FWS will develop a “popularized’ recovery plan for

distribution to the general public

.

A technique that has not been attempted before is to

prepare a ~‘popular”version of a Recovery Plan. This

document should explain how a private citizen can become

involved in the recovery effort and facilitate participation

in recovery through donations or by other types of support

for management agencies. It will be reviewed and

approved by the FPIC prior to distribution.

22. Involve private landowners in the recovery ofthe panther

.

Over half of the known panthers survive on private lands. To

recover this species, it is important that private land owners

become actively involved in the recovery effort.

221. FWS and FCC will develop a Comprehensive Habitat

Management Plan for the panther on private lands, in

cooperation with the landowners within the known

distribution of the panther

.

As the human population of south Florida continues to

grow and agriculture expands into previously undisturbed

areas, more and more ofthe large private land holdings

will be sold or otherwise removed from cattle ranching

and converted to subdivisions, citrus or other row crops.

This will compromise prime panther habitat that supports

large numbers of prey species. In an attempt to provide

for the panthers on these lands, FWS and FGC will work

in cooperation with the principal landowners, to develop a

Comprehensive Habitat Management Plan that will address

development issues and habitat management programs.

The Management Plan should address the management

needs of the total system in order to better evaluate the

impact ofindividual projects, identify the need to provide

wildlife corridors across south Florida, maintain habitat

for prey species and for panthers, and outline projects

landowners can undertake to enhance the survival of both.

DEP will participate for those lands that are part of, or

immediately adjacent to, the Fakahatchee Strand system.

It is necessary to gain private landowners’ cooperation in

this endeavor, otherwise private lands to the north of

BCNP may become fragmented and unsuitable for

38
panthers. Realizing that today’s economics require the

landowner to use his land for economic gain, the plan will

also develop a full range of economic incentives. This

will cover such things as purchase of the remaining

woodlands, wildlife and hunting easements, and any other

viable methods of protecting panther habitat and food

sources, while providing the landowner economic

compensation. In order to enhance the actual application

of the Habitat Management Plan, it should be integrated

with all appropriate local governmental comprehensive

plans.

3. FGC will reintroduce Florida panthers into areas of suitable habitat

.

Areas that appear to be suitable panther habitat occur outside of south

Florida and are apparently unoccupied. Successfully introducing Florida

panthers into such areas would help reduce the risk of extinction for the

subspecies. In order to re-establish populations suitable Florida panther

stock will have to be introduced into areas where re-establishment is

socially and ecologically sound.

31. Determine where areas ofsuitable habitat exist

.

The first and most important task in the re-establishment of Florida

panthers into unoccupied areas is to determine if suitable habitat

still exists within the historic range, other than south Florida. The

best way to determine if an area is suitable for panthers is to

introduce panthers and monitor them. However, because ofthe

endangered status of Florida panthers, these preliminary

introductions need to be initiated using a non-endangered

subspecies as a surrogate.

311. Develop priority list of potential reintroduction sites

.

The study area for these initial re-establishment efforts

will be chosen from a priority list of potentially suitable

areas which will be determined using standardized

evaluation criteria. The primary factors in determining the

suitability of an area for a panther population are

landowner cooperation, size, prey base, land use, and the

human population density surrounding the area. A panther

habitat evaluation criteria form will be developed and

mailed to FGC biologists and others knowledgeable

regarding large tracts ofland potentially suitable for

39
panther reintroduction.

312. Coordinate panther reintroductions with private. State. and

Federal landowners

.

Landowner attitudes concerning the re-establishment of

panthers and landowner management priorities need to be

taken into consideration when choosing reintroduction

sites. It is generally accepted that public ownership of

panther habitat gives greater protection against future

habitat loss due to human developments. Depending on

the goals and policies of the managing agency, however,

this benefit can be offset by emphasis on management

programs that do not feature the panther. Since the U.S.

Forest Service and Department of Defense own large

tracts of land within the historic range of the panther,

consideration will be given to utilizing such areas as

potential re-establishment sites. Habitat management

schemes that enhance deer density or management for

increased densities of wild hog populations may not be

compatible with landowner management policies. Also the

landowner(s) may have reservations about the

re-establishment of panthers due to concerns over personal

liability, the threat of livestock depredation, and hunting

privileges.

313. Public attitudes toward panther re-establishment will be

determined in the vicinity of potential reintroduction sites

.

Apart from an area having the necessary components of

good panther habitat, people who live around the

reintroduction site must be supportive of the idea of

panther introduction. Public attitudes will probably be the

major factor affecting success of re-establishment efforts,

and these attitudes need to be examined prior to any trial

releases. Once public attitudes have been determined,

information and education (I&E) efforts can be directed

toward cultivating public acceptance ofthe program.A

statistician will be consulted on the design and analysis of

questionnaire and interview surveys. Surveys will be

conducted in the vicinity of potential panther habitat to

determine public attitudes toward re-establishing panthers.

Public meetings will be conducted and television

programs, slide series, and popular literature will be

40
produced and distributed to enhance public attitudes as

appropriate.

314. Potential reintroduction sites will be surveyed for the

presence or absence of parasites and infectious diseases

potentially harmful to panthers

.

Roelke et al. (1985) have identified several major diseases

and parasites that may be complicating Panther survival in

south Florida. Potential reintroduction sites need to be

surveyed for these diseases and parasites and appropriate

actions taken where necessary to deal with them. A

statistically adequate sample of small carnivores will be

collected in the areas potentially suitable for panther

reintroduction. Through necropsy, serology, and

live-capture blood work, these animals will be tested for

parasites and infectious diseases associated with panthers.

315. The presence or absence of existing panthers in potential

reintroduction areas will be determined by conducting field

searches

.

A survey will be made in potential reintroduction areas to

determine whether or not panthers already exist in the

area. This will be done to avoid possible disruption of the

social structure of any existing populations and to avoid

Florida panther hybridizations with any released/escaped

captive animals of other subspecies. A system oftransects

utilizing woods-roads and firelanes will be established and

surveyed for the presence or absence of panther sign in

areas that meet the criteria of panther habitat.

32. Determine the feasibility of using captive-bred offsprin2 in the

re-establishment or supplementation of Florida panther populations

.

There are two primary. methods to be considered in obtaining

panther stock for reintroduction. These are the translocation of

adult or subadult animals directly from the wild to the

reintroduction area and the translocation of wild-caught stock into a

captive situation where they would be kept as brood stock in a

captive-breeding program with the properly conditioned offspring

being introduced into the wild. Both of these methods need to be

objectively evaluated using surrogate subspecies.

41
321. An evaluation will be made to determine if wild-caught

adult panthers can successfully produce offspring in

captivity

.

In the wild to captive-breeding method of obtaining

reintroduction stock, the initially captured panthers could

come from any age class. Bringing adult animals into the

program from the wild would provide earlier offspring if

they can be successfully bred. Due to an unfortunate

highway accident,a young adult male Florida panther is

presently available for use in the captive breeding

program. He will need to be tested for breeding

performance. The most time-consuming, but more

conservative approach, would be to first capture kittens in

the wild and hand raise them for use as breeding stock.

Data collected during radio-telemetry studies in south

Florida indicate that ifa female losesa litter, she will

recycle and producea second (Belden, unpublished data).

By taking an entire litter of kittens for use in the

captive-breeding program, the wild female should produce a second litter resulting in very little impact on the

resident population. Experts familiar with captive

breeding oflarge cats will be consulted for advice on all

aspects of the captive breeding program.

3211. The primary captive-breeding facilities will be

built at White Oak Plantation

.

Even though the primary breeding facilities will

be maintained at White Oak Plantation,

consideration may be given to establishinga

second program elsewhere. Not only might this

provide for an enhanced level of overall safety to

the captive-breeding effort, it may also allow for

differences in breeding techniques and

approaches to be tested and evaluated, possibly

resulting ina significant saving of time. Two or

three wild-caught female panthers froma

non-endangered panther subspecies will be

obtained and moved to the White Oak Plantation.

The non-endangered female panthers will be

bred to the male Florida panther already in

captivity.

42
322. Offspring obtained from the Florida panther and

non-endangered panther matings will be conditioned for

release into the wild

.

Offspring will be conditioned for release into the wild by

placing them and their mothers in large pens where the

kittens will learn to make kills and survive on their own.

The necessary conditioning facilities will be built at White

Oak Plantation. The captive-bred offspring will be

surgically sterilized, radio-instrumented, and moved to the

conditioning facilities with their mothers at approximately

six months of age. The mothers will remain with the

offspring while they learn to hunt and feed themselves.

323. The feasibility of re-establishing panther populations with

captive-raised animals will be determined

.

The conditioned captive-raised offspring will be

transferred into a previously determined suitable wild area

and monitored daily for at least one year. At the end of

the one year evaluation period the captive raised offspring

will be recaptured and removed from the wild.

324. Captive-raised panthers will be used to supplement existing

populations where necessary

.

If it is determined that captive-raised panthers can be

successfully reintroduced into the wild, they can be used

to supplement existing populations where necessary. The

feasibility of these supplementations would have to be

determined on a case by case basis. They would generally

be in areas where sufficient resources were available to

support a higher panther population, but recruitment was

unable to provide the natural increase.

33. Determine the feasibility of using translocated wild panthers in the

re-establishment of Florida panther populations

.

The only work done to date where panthers were translocated from

one area to another is that of McBride (1977), in which eight

panthers were translocated from the desert mountains ofthe

Trans-Pecos to a flat subtropical area of south Texas. Transmitter

failure resulted in the almost immediate loss ofthree, but

conclusive data were obtained from the remaining five. The

43
transplanted panthers adapted easily to the new terrain, even though

it contrasted greatly to their previous habitat. If this technique

works and surplus Florida panthers are available, it would be the

easiest and most economical method of re-establishing populations.

331. Three wild-caught adult females and two wild-caught adult

males from a non-endangered subspecies will be obtained

and transferred to Florida

.

332. These animals will be surgically sterilized, fitted with

radio-transmitter collars, and release into suitable wild

areas

.

333. These animals will be monitored daily for at least one

y~r.

334. At the end of the evaluation period. the translocated

non-endangered subspecies will be recaptured and removed

from the wild

.

34. Properly conditioned Florida panthers will be introduced into the

wild if determine feasible

.

When the best alternative is determined, the appropriate Florida

panthers can be captured for translocating or use in the

captive-breeding program. Properly conditioned Florida panther

stock can then be introduced into suitable habitat and monitored to

evaluate the success of the reintroduction.

44
D. Literature Cited and Selected Bibliography

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31:279-280.

Allen, R. and W.T. Neill. 1954. The raccoon preyed upon by panther and

rattlesnake. Everglades Nat. Hist. 2:46.

Bangs, 0. 1898. The land mammals of peninsular Florida and the coast region of

Georgia. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 23:157-235.

Bangs, 0. 1899. The Florida puma. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 13:15-17.

Baudy, R. E. 1976. Breeding techniques for felines destined for release in the wild.

Pp. 99-108 in Proc. Fla. Panther Conf. (P.C.H. Pritchard, ed.), Fla. Audubon

Soc. and Fla. Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm. 121 pp.

Belden, C. 1977. If you see a panther. Fla. Wildl. 31:31-34.

Belden, R.C. 1978a. Florida panther investigation--a 1978 progress report. Pp.

123-133 in Proc. Rare & End. Wildl. Symp. (R.R. Odom and L. Landers,

eds.), Ga. Dept. Nat. Resour. Tech. Bull. WL4, Athens, Ga. 184 pp.

Belden, R.C. 1978b. How to recognize panther tracks. Proc. Annu. Conf. S.E.

Assoc. Fish & Wildl. Agencies. 32:112-115.

Belden, R.C. 1982 (1987). Florida panther recovery plan implementation - a 1983

progress report. Pp. 159-172 in S.D. Miller and D.D. Everett, eds., Cats of

the World: Biology, Conservation and Management. Proc. 2nd International

Cat Symposium, Caesar Kleberg Wildl. Res. Inst., Kingsville, TX, and The

National Wildl. Fed., Washington, D.C.

Belden, R.C. and D.J. Forrester. 1980. A specimen of Felis concolor coiyi from Fla.

J. Mamm. 61(l):160-161.

Belden, R.C. and L.E. Williams, Jr. 1976. Survival status ofthe Florida panther.

Pp. 78-98 in Proc. Fla. Panther Conf. (P.C.H. Pritchard, ed.), Fla. Audubon

Soc. and Fla. Game & Fresh Water Fish Comm. 121 pp.

Belden, R.C. and J.C. Roboski. 1984. Florida Panther Status Report. Pp. 29-36 in J.

Robinson and F. Lindsay, (eds.), Proc. 2nd Mountain Lion Workshop, Zion

Natl. Park, Springdale, Ut. 271 pp.

45
Belden, R.C., J.C. Roboski and D.K. Jansen. 1984. Florida Mountain Lion

Research. Pp. 149-166 in J. Robinson and F. Lindszay, (eds.), Proc. 2nd

Mountain Lion Workshop, Zion Natl. Park, Springdale, Ut. 271 pp.

Belden, R.C., T.C. Hines, and T.H. Logan. 1987. Florida panther reintroduction: a

discussion of the issues. Proc. 6th Natl. Wildl. Rehabilitators Assoc. Symp.,

Clearwater Beach, FL. In press.

Bittle, J.L. 1981. Feline panleukopenia. Pp 79-101 in Infectious diseases of wild

mammals (2nd ed.), Davis, Karsta-and Trainer (eds.), Iowa State U. Press,

Amer.

Chapman, J.A., and G.A. Feldhamer. 1982. Wild mammals of North America.

Johns Hopkins Univ. Press. 1147 pp.

Cory, C.B. 1896. Hunting and Fishing in Florida. Estes and Lauriat, Boston.

304 pp.

Currier, M.J.P. 1983. Felis concolor. Mamm. Species. 200:1-7.

Forrester, D.J., J.A. Conti, and R.C. Belden. 1985. Parasites of the Fla. Panther

(Felis concolor coiyi). Proc. Helminthol. Soc. Wash. 52(1):95-97.

Goertz, J.W. and R. Abegg. 1966. Pumas in Louisiana. J. Mamm. 47:727.

Goldman, E.A. 1946. Classification of the races of the puma. Pp. 175-302 in S.P.

Young, and E.A. Goldman, (eds.), The Puma, Mysterious American Cat. Am.

Wildl. Inst., Washington, D.C. 358 pp.

Golley, F.B. 1966. South Carolina mammals. Charleston Mus. 181 pp.

Hall, E.R. 1981. The mammals of North America. Vol II. John Wiley and Sons,

N.Y. 1181 pp.

Hamilton, W.J., Jr. 1941. Notes on some mammals of Lee County, Florida. Amer.

Midl. Nat. 25:686-691.

Henry, V.G. 1976. The recovery plan concept of the Fish and Wildlife Service as it

relates to the Florida panther. Pg. 59-77 in Proc. Fla. Panther Conf. (P.C.H.

Pritchard, ed.), Fla. Audubon Soc. & Fla. Game & Fresh Water Fish Comm.

121 pp.

Hollister, N. 1911. The Louisiana puma. Proc. Biol. Surv. Wash. 24:175-178.

46
Howell, A.H. 1921. A biological survey of Alabama. N. Am. Fauna 45. 88 pp.

Jenldns, J.H. 1953. The game resources of Georgia. Ga. Game & Fish Comm.

Tech. Bull. 1. 114 pp.

Jenkins, J.H. 1971. The status and management of bobcat and cougar in the

southeastern states. Pp. 87-91 in Proc. Symp. Native Cats N. Am., Status &

Manage, (S.E. Jogenson and L.D. Mech, eds.), U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Wash.

D.C. 139 pp.

Jones, A.D. 1974. Big Cypress Swamp and the Everglades: no solutions yet. Living

Wilderness. 37(124):28-36.

Kisling, V.N., Jr. 1976. Captive propagation and study as an integral component of a

field-captive management program for the Florida panther, Felis concolor coryi.

Pg. 46-58, in Proc. Fla. Panther Conf. (P.C.H. Pritchard, ed.), Fla. Audubon

Soc. & Fla. Game & Fresh Water Fish Comm. 121 pp.

Layne, J.N. 1974. The land mammals of south Florida. Pages 386-413 in P.J.

Gleason, (ed.), Environments S. Fla.: Present & Past. Memoir 2, Miami Geol.

Sci. 452 pp.

Layne, J.N. and M.N. McCauley. 1976. Biological overview of the Florida panther.

Pg. 5-45 in Proc. Fla. Panther Conf. (P.C.H. Pritchard, ed.), Fla. Audubon

Soc. & Fla. Game and Fresh Water Fish Comm. 121 pp.

Lewis, J.C. 1969. Evidence of mountain lions in the Ozarks and adjacent areas,

1948-1968. J. Mamm. 50:371-372.

Lewis, J.C. 1970. Evidence of mountain lion in the Ozark, Boston and Ouachita

Mountains. Proc. Okla. Acad. Sci. 1968. 182-184.

Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1936. A preliminary report on the distribution of the mammals of

Louisiana. Proc. La. Acad. Sci. 3:11-39.

Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1943. Check-list of the mammals of Louisiana and adjacent

waters. 0cc. Pap. Mus. Zool., La. St. Univ. 13:213-257.

Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1944. Distribution of Louisiana mammals with respect to the

physiography of the State. Proc. La. Acad. Sci. 8:63-73.

Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1974. The mammals of Louisiana and its adjacent waters. La. St.

Univ. Press, Baton Rouge. 565 pp.

47
Lowman, G.E. 1975. A survey of endangered, threatened, rare, status undetermined,

peripheral, and unique mammals of the southeastern national forests and

grasslands. USDA For. Serv., South. Region. 132 pp.

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stanleyana) ofthe Texas-Mexico Border. Unpubl. M.S. Thesis, Sul Ross St.

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McBride, R. 1985. Population status of the Florida panther in the Everglades

National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. Unpubl. Rept. Everglades

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Felis concolor, in Florida. M.S. Thesis, Univ. of S. Fla., Tampa. 58 pp.

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new. J. Mamm. 10:345-350.

Noble, R.E. 1971. A recent record of the puma (Felis concolor in Arkansas.

Southwestern Nat. 16:209.

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Wildl. Serv. (as amended 1976). 190 pp.

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Rept. World Wlldl. Fund. 13 pp.

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Wildl. Fund Yearb. 1973-74, Mus. of Nat. Hist., Univ. of Kans.

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Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Balto., Md. 1362 pp.

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O’Brian, S.J., M.E. Roelke, L. Marker, A. Newman, C.A. Winkler, D. Meltzer, L.

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Audubon Soc. and Fla. Game & Fresh Water Fish Comm. 121 pp.

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information of the Florida panther in EVER, BICY and environs with

suggestions for need and research. Unpubl. Tech. Rept. EVER. 13 pp.

Roelke, M.E., E.R. Jacobsen, G.V. Kollias, and J. Forrester. 1985. Medical

management and biomedical findings on the Florida panther, Felis concolor

co?yi, July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1985. Appendix, Panther Health & Reprod.,

Annu. Perf. Rept. E-l-9, Fla. Game & Fresh Water Fish Comm. 120 pp.

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keys. Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. Mich. 180 pp.

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Wildl. Inst., Washington, D.C. 358 pp.

50
III. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

GENERAL CATEGORIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

Information Gathering - I orR (Research)

Population status

Habitat status

Habitat requirements

Management techniques

Taxonomic studies

Demographic studies

Propagation

Migration

Predation

Competition

Disease

Environmental contaminant

Reintroduction

Other information

Management - M

1. Propagation

2. Reintroduction

3. Habitat maintenance and manipulation

4. Predator and competitor control

5. Depredation control

6. Disease control

7. Other management

Acquisition - A

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Other - 0 6.

Lease

Easement

Management agreement

Exchange

Withdrawal

Fee title

1. Information and education

2. Law enforcement

3. Regulations

4. Administration

TASK PRIORITIES

Priorities in

follows:

Priority 1 -

Priority 2 -

Column 4 of the following Implementation Schedule are assigned as

An action that must be taken to prevent extinction or to prevent the

species from declining irreversibly in the foreseeable future.

An action that must be taken to prevent a significant decline in species

population/habitat quality, or some other significant negative impact short

of extinction.

Priority 3 - All other actions necessary to provide for full recovery of the species.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Rev. 6/94 51
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE COST INFORMATION

1. Cost estimates are for planning purposes and will be reflected through agency budget processes

as new research findings or management information dictates.

2. All agencies will strive to carry out all tasks identified in the implementation schedule.

However, this will be contingent upon appropriations, personnel availability and other

constraints. Each agency has developed individual Participation Schedules which outline specific

tasks the agency will accomplish and the time frame for accomplishment.

3. Some routine agency activities that do not lend themselves to separating out costs for Florida

panther recovery such as ongoing law enforcement, coordination or other programs, may not be

included in the schedule.

4. Land acquisition costs are notincluded in this schedule because these efforts serve multiple

resource objectives.

5. Costs may rise or be modified for future years as current research programs provide

management recommendations that are currently not planned. Additionally, the initiation of

some tasks are contingent on the completion/results of others. Therefore, target dates for some

actions may require adjustments over time.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

APC Abomasal parasite count

BCNP = Big Cypress National Preserve

BIA = Bureau of Indian Affairs

CARL = Conservation and Recreation Lands

DEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection

DOD = Department of Defense

EVER = Everglades National Park

FDHS Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

FDOT = Florida Department of Transportation

FGC = Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission

FHP = Florida Highway Patrol

FPIC = Florida Panther Interagency Committee

FPNWR Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge

FS = U.S. Forest Service

FSSP Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

GIS = Geographic Information System

GMP = General Management Plan for Big Cypress National Preserve

HPP Florida Panther Habitat Preservation Plan

I & E = Information and Education

JZP = Jacksonville Zoological Park

LO = Landowners

LPZ Lowry Park Zoo

MM Miami Metrozoo

MSIT = Miccosukee and Seminole Indian Tribes of Florida

MVP = Minimum viable population

NPS National Park Service

ORV Off-road vehicle

SFWMD = South Florida Water Management District

SR State Route

VA&SSP Population Viability Analysis and Species Survival Plan

WOP White Oak Plantation

ZOOS Participating breeding facilities

Rev. 6/94 52
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

(Revised June 1994)

Florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

Priority

General

Category Plan Task

Task

Number

Task

—. Duration

Responsible

Agency

Estimated FIscal Year Costs (in thousands)

Comments/Notes

FY-C FY-2 FY FY-5

L2i2~±L

R-i

R-3

Conduct radio-telemetry studics in

NPS south FL units

1111 1 Completed NPS - - - - - EVER study completed in ‘91. BCNPstudy completed in ‘92.

Monitoring underway (See Task 151).

R-l

R-3

Conduct radio tracking studies in

FSSP& BCNP

1112 1 Completed FGC - - - - - Initiated in ‘Si. Most studies completed in ‘90. Study of panther

removal impacts on wild population completed in ‘93. Monitoring

underway (See Tasks 151 & 152).

R-i

R-3

Expand studies to private lands N

of Alligator Alley

1113 1 Completed FGC - - - - - initiated in ‘87. Studies completed in ‘90. Monitoring underway

(See Tasks 153 & 154).

R-1

R-3

Conduct panther surveys at

FPNWR

1114 1 Continuing FWS - - - - - initiated in ‘89. FGC carries out radio-telemetry work (see Task

155). FWS conducts track surveys. FOC costs reflected in Task

151. FWS costs reflected in Task B.2.

M-3

0-1

Post waming signs and reflectora 1211 2 Continuing FDOT - - - - - Routine. Initiated in ‘85.

0-3 Reduce nighttime speed limits 1212 1 Continuing FDOT - - - - - Initiated in ‘85. FGC carries out most enforcement under routine

activities.

0-4 Develop plan for emergency

veterinary aid

1213 1 Continuing FGC - - - - - Plan being developed. Costs reflected in Task 122.

0-2

0-4

Develop protocolfor handling

dead panthers

1214 3 Completed FGC - - - - - Necropsy protocol developed 3/92.

M-3 Modit~’ hazardousroadways 1215 1 Continuing FDOT - - - - - No costs estimates. 36 wildlife crossings/bridge extensions have

been installed under1-75 through Big Cypress Swamp in Collier

County. 2 experimental design crossings were placed in SR-29 in

‘94. Additional crossings under consideration for planned work on

US-i. Approximately 4 miles of SR-29 were modified in ‘86.

Additional modifications underway.

R-i 1

M-6

Identif~’ panther diseases 122 1 Continuing FGC 125 125 125 125 125 Studies initiated in ‘84 & are continuing. Costs shown in this task

cover entire medical managementprogram.

*Costs figures represent estimated cost to carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-l represents eithe~e current year (FY-94) for tasks already initiated orthe firat yearfor tasks yet to be initiated.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

(Revised June 1994)

General

Category Plan Task

Task

Number Priority

Task

Duration

Responsible Estimated FIscal Year Costs (in thousands)

Agency 1 T T1 —.

F’Y-1 j FY.2 J~ FY~3IFY-4I FY-5

FWS,FGC - - - - -

& NI’S

Comments/Notes

1-2 Develop cumulative effects model 123 2 4 years May not be needed. Recently completed habitatprojects (FCC’s

strategic habitat conservation planning, SFWMD’s citrus study, &

FPIC’a HPP) have provided vastinformation on current habitat

conditions, threats, trends, and projections.

R-l Develop genetic profile 124 1 Continuing FCC

FWS

NI’S

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Studies initiated in ‘86 in collaboration with Dr. S. O’Brien. Initial

examination of S. FL subpopulationa completed in ‘90 under FPIC

jointly funded study w/Dr. O’Brien. Analyses have included

aUozyme, mtDNA, & DNA-FP processes. Examination continues as

new individuals are captured.

I-I Identify management optionsif

genetic profile shows problems

1241 1 Continuing FWS

FGC

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Results of pop. viability analysis& species survival planning process

in ‘89 concluded that establishment & management of a captive

population was essential for panthersurvival. Captive population

establishment initiated in ‘91. Viability update & genetic

management workshop conducted in Fall ‘92. FWS approved

genetic restoration strategy 6194. Actions underway to complete

tasks necessary to implement genetic managementstrategy.

M-7 Develop & implement strategy to

restore& maintain historic

genetic character

12411 1 Continuing FPIC (FCC,

FWS, NI’S,

DEP)

249 232 260 229 235 Actions underway to develop & implement genetic restoration

strategy. An Environmental Assessment is being developed to

evaluate various alternatives. A Genetic Management Plan is also

under development. Implementation ofgenetic restoration strategy

targeted for early 1995.

M-1 Establish sperm bank i242 1 Continuing FGC

FWS

3

37

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Established in ‘88. Refinements in technologies being developed by

Dr. D. Wildt under Grant Agreement with FWS. FWS costs

indicated represent costs for ongoing AI/iVF work, which includes

sperm bank activities.

I-I Develop panther

populationmodel

125 2 Completed FCC

FWS

15

-

15

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Initial population modelling completed as part of viability analysisin

‘89. Additional modelling completed during viability update &

genetic workshop held in Fall ‘92.

*Costa figurea represent estimated costto carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-i represents citi’- “rrent year (FY-94) for tasks already initiated orthe first year for tasks yet to be in~
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

(Revised June 1994)

Florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

General

Category

M-3

Plan Task

Develop Comprehensive Mgmt.

Plans for public lands

Task

126

Priority

1

Task

Duration

Continuing

Responsible

Agency

FGC

NI’S

DEP

FWS

Estimated Fiscal Year Costs (in thousands)I

FY.1•IFY..21 r1 Comments/Notes

FY-3 FY-4

- - - - - Routine.

- - - - - BCNP OMP completed 1/92, BCNP Fire Mgmt. Plan completed

- - - - 7/94.

- - - - - Plan approved 5/94.

Funded under B.2. Fire Mgmt., Annual Burn, Wildlife Inventory, &

Law Enforcement Plans completed. Cropland Mgmt. Plan presently

in draft form.

M-7 Inventory captive cougars 127 3 Completed FGC - - - - -

1-1, 2, 3

M-3

Conduct deer studies in EVER

Evaluate & enhance habitat

conditions on public lands

1311

1312

1

1

Continuing

Continuing

NI’S

FWS

NI’S

DEP

FOC

SFWMD

Collier Co.

Dade Co.

69 59

- -

200 200

59 60

- -

- -

- -

- -

34

-

200

60

-

-

-

-

19 -

- -

200 200

60 60

- -

- -

- -

- -

Original study initiated ‘87. Completed 91’. New study for EVER

& BCNPtargeted for ‘93-96.

Initiated in ‘89. Funded under B.2.

Underway.

Underway.

Routine

No information available.

No information available.

No information available.

R-l Continue ongoing deerstudies &

initiate new ones in BCNP &

FSSP

1313 1 Continuing FGC

NI’S

- -

100 100

1

100

- -

60 60

FGC studies initiated ‘84 & completed in ‘90. NI’S expanded studies

in ‘89. See Task 132 for monitoring. New studies for Addition

lands scheduledto beginin ‘94.

R-l Conduct deer studies in N.

FakahatcheeStrand, FPNWR, &

on private lands

1314 1 Completed FGC

FWS

- -

- -

-

-

- -

- -

Completed in ‘90. See Task 132 for ongoing monitoring.

1-1 Evaluateeffect of deer hunting in

BCNP&FSSP

1315 1 Continuing FGC

NI’S

DEP

- -

- -

- -

-

-

-

- -

- -

- -

Routine.

Costsreflected in 1313

FSSPwas closed to deer/hog hunting effective7/1/87.

R-i Refine APC technique 1316 2 Completed FOC - - - - -

I-I Offer to work with Indian Tribes

to evaluate and enhance deer

status & mgmt. techniques on

Indianlands.

1317 2 Continuing FOC

MSIT

- -

- -

-

-

- -

- -

Routine

No information available.

5Costs figures represent estimated costto carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-l represents either~ current year (FY-94) for tasks already initiated orthe first yearfor tasks yet to he initiated.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

Florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

(Revised June 1994)

Plan Task

General

Category

I__________

R-4 Test effectiveness of

supplementing prey base in FSSP

Task

Number Priority

Task

Duration

Responsible

Agency

Estimated fiscal Year Costs (in thousands)

—

FY-1 JyY~2j[FY-3 FY-4 j FY-5

Comments/Notes

1318 3 Completed FCC

DEP

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

12 radio-instrumented wild hogs released in 3/86 & monitored.

Present position is that activity is not something to pursue further at

this time.

1-2 Monitor prey species at EVER,

BCNP, FSSP, FPNWR, &

selected private lands

132 2 Continuing NI’S

FGC

DEP

FWS

30

-

3

-

30

-

2

-

30

-

2

-

30

-

2

-

30

-

2

- Costs reflected in Task B.2.

0-2 Provide law enforcement 133 1 Continuing FGC, NI’S &

DEP

MSIT

FWS

5

5

50

5

5

50

5

5

50

5

5

50

5

5

50

Routine

No information available.

Does not include ongoing routine law enforcement actions.

I-I Maintain & expand clearinghouse 14 3 Completed FCC

FWS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Expanded in FL in ‘85. Responsibilities assigned to FCC’s Regional

Offices. Contacts with other States were made in 1988. Some were

already operating clearinghouse-type activities. Most states feel that

the panther no longer exists in their state. No additional actions

planned atthe present time.

I-i Monitor panthers in EVER &

BCNP

151 1 Continuing NI’S

FCC

60

-

60

-

60

-

65

-

65

-

Underway. See 1111 & 1112.

FCC costs reflected in 154.

I-I Monitor panthers at FSSI’ 152 1 Continuing FCC

DEP

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Underway. FCC costs reflected in 154.

I-I Offer to monitor panthera at

Indian Reservations

153 1 Continuing FCC

MSlT

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Underway. Costsreflected in 154.

No information available.

I-i Offer to monitor panthera on

selected private lands

154 1 Continuing FCC 250 250 250 250 250 Underway.

I-i Monitor panthers at FPNWR 155 1 Continuing FCC

FWS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Underway. FGC costs reflected in 154.

FWS costs reflected in B.2.

0-4 Assess benefits of designating

Critical Habitat

16 2 Continuing FWS - - - - - Routine. Initial assessment in 1/87 concluded not appropriate at

time. Will be reassessed as part ofthe HPP implementation, likely

in late ‘94.

5Costs figures represent estimated cost to carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-l represents eith~- ~ ~urrent year (FY-94) for tasks already initiated or the first yearfor tasks yet to be mi
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

Florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

(Revised June 1994)

General

Category Plan Task

Task

Number

Task

Priority Duration

Responsible

Agency

Estimated Fiscal Year Costs (in thousands)

FY-V FY-5 Comments/Notes

0-4 Establish FPIC 17 1 Completed FWS, NI’S,

FCC, DEP

- - - - - Established5/86 & continues.

0-4 Establish Technical Subcommittee 171 1 Completed FWS,NPS &

DEP

FCC

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

Established5/86 & continues.

Costs associated with TS activities.

0-4 Designate a Florida Panther

Coordinator

172 1 Completed FWS 80 80 80 80 80 Position established 1/87 & continues. Additionally, a position for

Assistant established in ‘93, primarily to coordinate HPI’

implementation.

0-4 Develop Participation Schedules 173 1 Completed FWS,NPS &

DEP

FCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Each agency has completed initial Schedules; which will be

periodically updated. FWS costs covered under task 171.

0-3,

0-4

Evaluate public use laws &

regulations

18 2 Continuing FWS, NPS,

DEP, FCC,

FDOT,

MSIT

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Routine

Routine

No information available.

No information available.

0-4 Review policies on land

management & regulatory

functions.

191 1 Continuing FWS, NI’S,

DEP, FCC,

& other State

& Fed.

agencies

- - - - - Routine. Authorities will be fully utilized in support of habitat

preservation needs.

M-7 Develop contingency plan for

removal of panthers

A 2 Continuing FWS, NI’S,

DEP, &

FCC

- - - - - Establishment of captive pop. lessens need for contingency plan.

A-7 Acquire land essential for panther

survival

B I Continuing FWS, NI’S,

DEP, FCC

- - - - - Working group established 3/91 to develop HPP. HPP approved by

FPIC 1/94. Plan focuses on cooperative programs with private

landowners and emphasizes less than fee title acquisition.

A-6 Establish FPNWR B.1 I Completed FWS - - - - - Initial 25,000 acres acquired in 6/89. Most of remainder will be

acquired through land exchange. Acquisition approx. 83% complete.

0-4 Staff & fund FPNWR B.2 1 Continuing FWS 520 550 575 575 575 Funding& staffing initiated in Fall ‘86.

~‘Costsfigures represent estimated cost to carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-l represents eithe~d,e current year(FY-94) for tasks already initiated orthe first year for tasks yet to be initiated.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

(Revised June 1994)

Florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

General

CategoryI Plan Task

Task

Number Priority

Task

Duration

Responsible I Estimated FIscalYear Costs (in thousands)

Agency

FY-V FY-2 FY-3 FY-4 FY-5

Comments/Notes

A-6 Acquire “in-holdings’ in FSSP B.3 I Continuing DEP (Cannot be pre-determined) Ongoing. Funding contingent on legislative appropriations.

Acquisition approximately 88% complete.

A-7 Acquire lands resulting from 1-75

construction

B.4 I Continuing FDOT, NI’S,

FCC, DEP,

FWS

(Cannot be pre-determined) Ongoing. Acquisttionof BCNPAddition (146,000 acres) is

approximately 28% complete.

A-6 Acquire south Golden Gate

Estates

B.5 1 Continuing DEP (Cannot be pre-determined) Ongoing. Approximately 7,300 acres acquired to date

(approximately 26% complete).

A-7 Secure Jet Port property B.6 I Continuing NPS, FCC - - - - - Consideration being given to pursuing a possible swap involving the

Homestead AFB runway for Jet Port property.

0-1 Work with sportsmen 211 2 Continuing DEP

FCC, FWS

&NPS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Routine

0-1 Work with conservationgroups 212 2 Continuing DEP

FWS, NI’S

&FCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- -

Routine

0-i Post interpretive signs 213 3 Continuing FDOT

DEP

NI’S

FPN’WR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

3

3

30

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

No information available.

Routine

Routine

InformationalKiosk along SR-29

0-1 Distribute panther literature 214 2 Continuing FSSP

NI’S

FWS

FCC

2

2

2

25

2

2

2

20

2

2

2

20

2

2

2

20

2

2

2

20

Routine

Routine

0-1 Produce & distribute audio-visual

aids

215 3 Continuing FCC

DEP,

FWS & NI’S

10

-

10

-

10

-

10

-

10

- Routine

0-1 Develop traveler information

service

216 3 Continuing FDOT - - - - - No information available.

*Costs figures represent estimated costto carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-l represents eithe’-”’~c current year (FY-94) for tasks already initiated orthe first year for tasks yet to be in’
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

(Revised June 1994)

Florida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

General

Category Plan Task

Task

Number

Task

Priority Duration

Responsible

Ag~y

Estimated Fiscal Year Costs (in thousands)

FY-IjFY-21 Comments/Notes

0-1 Develop ‘popularized” recovery

plan

217 3 2 years FWS - - - - - On hold pending likely need for Recovery Plan revision in ‘95.

M-7 Develop Comprehensive Habitat

Management plans for private

lands

221 2 Continuing FCC

FWS

5

50

5

50

5

50

5

50

5

50

Underway. Will be accomplished through HPP. FWS funding

reflects costs associated with the Ass’tFlorida Panther Coordinator’s

position.

M-2 Evaluate & prioritize potential

reintroduction sites

311 2 Continuing FWS

FCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Initial identification & evaluation of candidate sites in FL completed

in 1987. Preliminary identification & evaluation of candidate sites

range-wide completed in 1994. FWS costs reflected underTask 172.

M-2 Coordinate planswith private,

State, and Federal landowners

312 3 Continuing FCC

FWS

DOD & FS

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Completed for initial Phase I surrogate study (translocation)

conducted in ‘88 & 89. Phase II (combination translocation &

captive raised/conditioned)surrogate study initiated Feb. ‘93 (3 yr.

project). FCC costs reflected in 333. FWS costs reflectedin 172.

M-2 Determine public attitudes toward

reintroduction.

313 3 Continuing FWS

FCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Costsreflected in 172.

Costa reflected in 333. Completed for initial Phase I surrogate

study. Phase LI surrogate study underway (see task 312).

M-2 Survey reintroduction sites for

parasites & diseases

314 3 Continuing FCC - - - - - Costs reflected in 333 for FL project.

M-2 Determine existence of panthers

in reintroduction areas

315 3 Continuing FCC - - - - - Costs reflected in 333 for FL project. Completed for initial Phase I

surrogate study.

M-2 Determine captive productivity of

wild caught panthers

321 1 Continuing ZOOS 50 50 100 150 200 Development of captive population for breeding purposes initiated in

1991. Federal participation permits have been issued to WOP, JZP,

LPZ & MM. To date, 10 panther kittens have been brought into

captivity for breeding purposes. Initial breedingattempts could start

in late ‘94.

M-2 Develop captive breedingfacilities 3211 1 Continuing JZP

LPZ

MM

WOP

10

50

30

220

5

50

30

50

2

20

-

50

2

20

-

-

2

20

-

-

Breeding & conditioning capabilities being developed at institutions

identified under Task 321.

5Costsfigures represent estimated cost to carry out action, not funds actually available. FY-l represents eithe

5~e current year (FY-94) for tasks already initiated or the first yearfor tasks yet to be initiated.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

lorida panther (Recovery Priority #6C)

(Revised June 1994)

G

General

Category Plan Task

= =

Task I Task

Number Priority1 Duration

Responsible

Agency

Estimated Fiscal Year Costs (in thousands)j

FY-1_J J I I . Comments/Notes

FY-5

M-2 Condition offspnng for

reintroduction into wild

322 3 Continuing ZOOS 20 50 50 50 50 Actions to develop condition technology continuing utilizing

surrogate cougars produced in captivity for Phase U reintroduction

experimentstudy. 3 of 10 animala used in initial Phase II release

were captive born/conditioned cougars.

M-2 Introduce captive-raised

surrogates into wild

323 3 2 years FGC - - - - - Costa reflected in 333 for FL project. Experimental reintroduction

(Phase II) presently underway (see task 312).

M-2 Supplement existing populationas

needed

324 1 As needed FCC - - - - - Animals from the captive population could possibly be available for

this purpose by ‘96.

M-2 Obtain surrogate animalsfor

translocation study

331 3 2 years FCC - - - - - Costs reflected in 333 for FL project. Initial tranalocation

experiment (Phase I) involving surrogate cougars completed 4/89.

Phase H projectunderway.

M-2 Sterilize, radio-collar & release

surrogate ammals

332 3 2 years FCC - - - - - Experimental translocation initiated with releaseof S Texas cougars

in 6/88. After 10-months, remaining 2 cougarswere removed from

reintroduction area in 4/89. Additional experimentalreleases

underway (see task 312). Costs for FL project reflected in 333.

M-2 Monitor surrogate animals 333 3 2 years FCC 225 225 225 - - Phase I animals monitored from 6/15/88-4/19/89. Phase H

monitoring underway (initiated Feb.’93).

M-2 Recapture & remove from the

wild

334 3 2 years FCC - - - - - Costa for FL project reflected in 333. Last cougarfrom Phase I

study removedfrom wild 4/19/89. Phase U still underway.

M-2 Reintroduce Florida panthers into

the wild

34 3 Continuing FCC - - - - - Reintroduction actions will be initiated when sites have been selected

and panthers for reintroduction purposes are available, not likely for

5-10 years.

osts figures represent estimated cost to carry Out action, not funda actually available. FY-l represents eithe6Vje current year(FY-94) for taaks already initiated or the first year for tasks yet to be initiated.
APPENDIX A

List of Reviewers for June 1987 Revision*

Dr. Kathleen Shea Abrams

Joint Center

Florida International University TC 320

North Miami, Florida 33181

Mr. JohnE. Alcock

Regional Forester

U.S. Forest Service

1720 Peachtree Road, N.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30367

ALICO, Inc.

LaBelle, Florida 33935

Mr. Ken Alvarez

P.O. Box 398

Osprey, Florida 33559

Mr. J. Burton Angelle, Secretary

Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

P.O. Box 15570

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70895

Mr. RobertM. Baker

Regional Director

National Park Service

75 Spring Street, SW, Room 1094

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Barron Collier Corporation and Associated Companies

2600 GoldenGate Parkway

Naples, Florida 33942

Mr. RobertE. Baudy

Rare Feline Breeding Center, Inc.

P.O. Box 100

Central Hill, Florida 33514

Mr. Ervin J. Bedker, Chief

Community and Natural Resources

Planning Branch

Dept. ofthe Air Force, AF/LEEVX

washington. D.C. 20330

Mr. James Billie, Tribal Chairman

Seminole Tribe

6073 Stirling Road

Hollywood, Florida 33024

Mr. Sonny Billie, Tribal Chairman

MiccosukeeTribe

ATTN: Steve Terry

P.O. Box 440021, Tamiami Station

Miami, Florida 33144

*Additional review was carried out by FPIC member agency

staffs

Mr. Tom Bond

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Code 1000

1951 Constitution Avenue

Washington. D.C. 20245

Dr. William Branan, Executive Director

Environmental ServiceCenter

Florida Defenders of the Environment, Inc.

102 West Third Avenue

Tallahassee, Florida 32303

Colonel Robert M. Brandy

FL Game & Fresh Water Commission

620 S. Meridian Street

Tallahassee. Florida 32301

Broward Co. Board ofCommissioners

115 5. Andrewa Avenue, Room 421

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

Mr. Chris Brown

American Rivers Conservation Council

322 4th Street, NE

Washington. D.C. 20002

Mr. David Campbell

National Wildlife Federation

1412 16th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20036-2266

Mr. Pete Carison

Environmental Policy Institute

218 D Street, SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

Mrs. Marjorie H. Carr, President

Florida Department of the Environment, Inc.

1523 NW4th Street

Gainesville, Florida 32601

Mr. Dave Charland

3620 North Andrews Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

Ms. Glen Chase

The Fund for Animals, Inc.

1506 19th Street, SW, Suite 3

Washington, D.C. 20036

Mr. Michael Chenoweth

Attorney at Law

511 Southeast Third Avenue

Miami, Florida 33131

Collier Co. Board of Commissioners

3301 E. Tamiami Trail

Naples, Florida 33962

Collier Enterprises

3003 N.Tamiami Trail

Naples, Florida 33940

61
Mr. Alan Curreli

Everglades Coordinating Council

18141 SW 70th Place

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33331

Dade Co. Board of’Commissioners

111 N.W. First Street, Room 220

Miami, Florida 33128

Captain Ed Davidson

Biscayne Aqua Center, Inc.

P.O. Box 1270

Homestead, Florida 33030

Dr. Randy Davidson

Southeastern CooperativeWildlife Disease Study

College of Veterinary Medicine

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia 30602

Ms. Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Friends ofthe Everglades

3744 Stewart Avenue

Coconut Grove, Florida 33133

Mr. Bob Dreher

Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, Inc.

1516 P Street

Washington, D.C. 20005

Dunlap and Browden, Inc.

418 10th Street, SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

Dr. Mike Duever

EcosystemResearch Unit

Box 1877, Route 6

sanctuary Road

Naples, Florida 33999

Dr. Nicole Duplaix

South FL Water Management District

P.O. Box V

West Palm Beach,, Florida 33402

Dr. John Eisenberg

Florida State Museum

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32611

Mr. Gary Evink

FL Department of Transportation

Haydon Bums Building

605 Suwannee Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32301-0864

Mr. Fred Fagergren, Superintendent

Big Cypress Nationsl Preserve

SR Box 110

Ochopee, Florida 33999

Mr. Michael V. Finley

Superintendent

Everglades National Park

P.O. Box 279

Homestead, Florida 33030

Mr. Maddy Fishel

The Wildlife Society

1400 I Street, NW., 10th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20005

Dr. Milford Fletcher

Regional Chief Scientist

National Park Service

Old Santa Fe Trail, Box 728

Santa Fe, N.M. 87501

FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor vehicles

2900 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Mr. Manley Fuller

National Wildlife Federation

1718 Peachtree Street, Suite 592

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Mr. Steve Gard, RefugeManager

FL Panther National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 158

Naples, Florida 33939

Gilman Paper Company

P.O. Box 878

St. Marys, Georgia 31558

Dr. Elton Gissendanner

Department of Natural Resources

3900 Commonwealth Boulevard

Tallahassee, Florida 32303

Glades Co. Board of Commissioners

P.O. Box 10

Moore Haven, Florida 33471

Mrs. Juanita Green

Environmental Writer

Miami Herald

I Herald Plaza

Miami, Florida 33101

Mr. Michael Green

State Director

The Nature Conservancy

1331 Palmetto Ave., Suite 205

Winter Park, Florida 32789

Mr. Chuck Haity

Everglades Center Outdoors

39801 Ingraham Highway

Homestead, Florida 33034

62
Ms. Jean Hall

So. FL Water Management District

P.O. BoxY

West Palm Beach, Florida 33402

Ms. JudyHancock

Sierra Club

P.O. Box 2436

Lake City, Florida 32056

Mr. Charles D. Kelley

Department of ConservationandNatural Resources

64 N. UnionStreet

Montgomery, Alabama 36130

Mr. RobertL. Kelley, President

Tropical Audubon Society

5520 Sunset Drive

South Miami, Florida 33143

Hendry Co. Board of Commissioners

P.O. Box 1760

LaBelle, Florida 33935

Mr. Ron Hight, RefugeManager

J.N. ‘~Ding” Darling NWR

1 Wildlife Drive

Sanibel, Florida 33957

Dr. Maurice Hornocker

Wildlife Research Institution

P.O. Box 3246

University Station

Moscow, Idaho 83843

Dr. Steve Humphrey

Florida State Museum

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32611

Mr. Ken Hunter

Blue Ridge Acres

Box 36

Harpers Ferry, Virginia 25425

Dr. Dale Jackson

Florida Natural Areas Inventory

254 East Sixth Avenue

Tallahassee, Florida 32303

Dr. Laurence R. Jahn

Vice President

Wildlife ManagementInstitute

1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 725

Washington. D.C. 20005

Mr. David Johnson

State of Florida/Florida Washington Office

444 North Capitol Street

Washington, D.C. 20001

Mr. Ralph Johnson

Florida Wildlife Federation

295 NW 188th Street

Miami, Florida 33169

Mr. Wiley Kitchens

FL Coop. Flsh and Wildlife Research Unit

117 Newins - Zeigler Hall

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32611

Dr. Jim Layne

Senior Biologist

Archbold Biological Station

P.O. Box 2057

Lake Placid, Florida 33852

Mr. J. Leonard Ledbetter, Commissioner

Department of Natural Resources

Floyd Towers East

205 Butler Street, SW, Suite 1252

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Mr. Charles Lee

Senior vice President

Florida Audubon Society

1101 Audubon Way

Maitland, Florida 32751

Ms. Cynthia Lenhart

Wildlife Specialist

National Audubon Society

645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

Ms. Jennifer Lewis

Wildlife Biologist

The Humane Society ofthe U.S.

2100 L Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20037

Mr. John Lukas

White Oak Plantation

Route 3, Box 226

Yulee, Florida 32097

Lykes Brothers, Inc.

215 East Madison

Tampa, Florida 33002

Dr. John H. Kaufmann

617 Bertram Hall

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32612

Mr. Timothy Mahoney

Washington Representative

Sierra Club

330 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

63
Northwest Florida Water ManagementDistrict

Route 1, Box 3100

Havana, Florida 32333

Mr. Reed Noss

6820 South West 78th Street

Dr. Larry Marchinton Gainesville, Florida 32608

School of Forest Resources

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia 30602

Mr. Ron Nowak

Office of Endangered Species

US Fish & Wildlife Service 18th andC Streets

Dr. Wayne R. Marion Washington, D.C. 20240

FL Chapter, Wildlife Society

118 Newins- Zeigler Hall

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32611

Office of Endangered Species

US Fish & Wildlife Service

Washington, D.C.

Ms. Pam Mcvety

Dept. of Environmental Regulation

Towers Office Building

2600 Blairstone Road

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Dr. S. Douglsa Miller

Vice President

Research, Education and Development

National Wildlife Federation

1412 16th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036-2266

Mr. Jack Moller

HalifrackConservation Club of Dade County

610 NW 93rd Avenue

Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024

Mr. Doug Morrison

P.O. Box 673

Frostproof, Florida 33843

Mr. James F.Murley, Director

Division of Resource Planning and Management

2571 Executive Center Circle East

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Colonel Charles T. Myers, Ill

District Engineer

Jacksonville District

Corps ofEngineers

P.O. Box 4970

Jacksonville, Florida 32232-0019

Mr. Gary Myers, Exec. Director

Wildlife Resources Agency

P.O. Box 40747

Nashville, Tennessee 37204

Mr. Wayne Nelson

P.O. Box 16061

West Palm Beach,Florida 33406

Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners

P.O. Box 4036

West Palm Beach, Florida 33402

Dr. Franklin Percival

FL Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

117 Newins- Zeigler Hall

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32612

Mr. Joe Podgor

Friends of the Everglades

Environmental Information Center

202 Park Street

Miami Springs, Florida 33166

Mr. James Price

Southeastern Representative Sierra Club

P.O. Box 11248

Knoxville,Tennessee 37939-1248

Mr. Bill Quisenberry

Acting Executive Director

Dept. of Wildlife Conservation

P.O. Box 451

Jackson, Mississippi 39205

Mr. Nathaniel P. Reed

P.O. Box 375

Hobe Sound, Florida 33455

Ms. Carolyn Ruesch

Vice President

The Tnjat for Public Land

322 Beard Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32303

Mr. Maitland S. Sharpe

ConservationDirector

The lzaak Walton League of America, Inc.

1701 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 1101

Arlington, Virginia 22209

Mr. Michael Mantell

Senior Aasociate

The ConservationFoundation

255 23rd Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20037

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Mr. Charles L. Siemon

Siemon, Larsen and Purdy

200 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Southwest Florida Water ManagementDistrict

2379 Broad Street

Brookaville, Florida 33512

South FL Water Management District

3301 Gun Club Road

West Palm Beach, Florida 33402

St. John River Water ManagementDistrict

Highway 100, West

Palatka, Florida 32078-1429

Dr. Mel Sunquist

Florida State Museum

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida 32611

Suwannee River Water Management District

U.S. Highway 90 and Route 49

Live Oak, Florida 32060

Dr. Jane Tate

University ofTennessee

Route 1, BoxB

Blame, TN 37709

Mr. Larry Thompson

National Audubon Society

930 Thomasville Rd., Suite 206

Tallahassee, Florida 32303

Dr. James A. Timmernian, Jr.

Executive Director

Wildlife and Marine Resources Department

P.O. Box 167

Columbia, South Carolina 29202

Mr. RonaldTipton

The Wilderness Society

3110 Maple Drive, NE, Suite 412

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Ms. Kathy Tollerton

Washington Representative Defenders of Wildlife

1244 19th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20036

Ms. Susan Cary Watkins

1904 Swan Terrace

Alexandria, Virginia 22307

Mr. Richard A. Weaver

California Dept. of Game & Fish

1416 Ninth Street

Sacramento, California 95814

Mr. Estus Whitfield

Senior Government Analyst

Office ofthe Governor

State Capitol

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Mr. Steven C. Whitney

National Parks and Conservation Association

1701 18th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20009

Mr. BuffWiley, Preserve Manager

Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve

P.O. Box 548

Copeland, Florida 33926

Mr. Nathaniel E. Williams

LegislativeLiaison

The NatureConservancy

1800 North Kent Street, Suite 800

Arlington, Virginia 22209

Mr. George WilIson, Director

The NatureConservancy

203 North Gadaden, Suite 6

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Mr. Steve N. Wilson, Director

Game and Fish Commission

2 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, Arkansss 72205

Ms. Andrea Yank, Executive Director

Natural Resources Council of America

1412 16th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20036

Dr. Bernie Yokel

Florida Audubon Society

1101 Audubon Way

Maitland, Florida 32751

Ms. Victoria J. Tachinkel, Secretary

Dept. of Environmental Regulations

2600 Blairstone Road

Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Dr. RobertWarren

School of Forest Resources

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia 30602

65
APPENDIX B.

Summsrv of Comments and FPIC Resoonse for June 1987 Revision

This revised Florida Panther RecoveryPlan was drafled by the Technical Subcommittee of the Florida Panther Interagency

Committee and distributed to approximately 120 individuals and organizations for review on October 31, 1986. Comments were

received from 24 reviewers.

The comments ranged from very non-specific general comments basically supportive of the plan and recovery efforts, to detailed

section by section review and comment.

All comments received were carefully reviewed and studied by the Technical Subcommittee and incorporated into the plan as

determined appropriate.

There were numerous comments which were directed toward specific points of concern that could be handled through simple

editorial changes or corrections as appropriate.

The following discussion provides a narrative summary ofthe major comments received and as appropriate, how they were

handled. As much as possible, in order to enhance continuity, the comments have been grouped into broad major categories of

discussion.

I. General

Comment: Major shortcomingsof the plan in general as expressed by some reviewerswere that the plan needed expanding to

provide more detail, more innovative and ambitious strategies not more of the same (status quo), was too open-ended and should

present the worst case scenano.

Response: Because of a general lack of available biological data and knowledge on the Florida panther,, the plan has to be

somewhat open-ended andlacking in detail in some respects. But this should not present a problem. The purpose of the plan is to

identif~’ to the extent possible/practicalthe major causative agentsto the panther’s endangeredstatus andto provide for the

immediate initiation of actions which are viewed as necessary to overcome these problems. As additional data are developed during

the recovery process, the plan can be amended to identif~’ additional actions needed. It is the feeling of the FPIC that this plan has

identified and addressed the issues relative to the panther as known at this point in time and has developed practical, achievable

recovery strategies based on available data, information, and knowledge.

Comment: Considerable commentssurfaced relative to the urgency of actions needed, specific dates, time frames, and costa should

be identified as well as specific agency responsibility/commitments.

Response: The inclusion ofthe targeted starting dates (fiscal year), task duration, costs estimates, and responsibilities for all tasks in

the Implementation Schedule as presented in this final plan should address most ofthese concerns. It should also be pointed out

that the initiation! implementation of some tasks are contingent on the completion/results of others. Therefore, target dates will

have to be somewhat flexible in some cases.

Comment: There were several comments relative to the assigned task priorities in the implementation schedule.

Response: Numerous changes have been made and the present assigned numbers should accurately reflect priority ranking as based

on the guidance provided on page 51 ofthe plan.

ll. Florida Panther Interseency Committee/Technical Subcommittee/ General Coordination

Comment: Some commentators felt that the role/function ofthe

FPIC/TS should be better defined and membership expanded. Others made recommendations as to specific duties, responsibilities,

and activities that the FPIC/TS should be involved in. These ranged from such actions as providing review, oversight and

coordinationrelative to plans/actions on public lands, to reviewing and commenting on permit applications at the state and federal

level. There were also numerous comments recommending that recovery needs/actions be coordinated with various agencies,

groups and individuals.

Response: It is felt that the plan adequatelyaddresses the general role/function of the FPIC/TS. More detailed specific inforsnation

and guidance is contained in the Memorandum of Agreement dated May 28, 1986 which established the committee. Consideration

66
to expanding the representation on the committee has been addressed on several occasions. The present consensusis that the

committee can probably more successfully function under ita present make-up. However, various other agencies/individualswill be

requested to attend and participate in committee/subcommittee meetings and functions as appropriate. Input from non-representative

entities is considered critical to the successful functioning ofthe committee and will continue to be requested and utilized to support

its efforts. The committee will continue to provide oversight and guidance to member agency plans and actions and will actively

involve and be involved in non-member activities affecting the Florida panther. It will continue to provide guidance anddirection

to all panther recovery efforts. However, to be successful the importance of complete and total coordination and cooperationfrom

the smallest landowner to the largest government agency cannot be over emphasized. Numerous changes have been made in the

plan to reflect this need.

Ill. Research/Studies

Comment: Considerable comment was received relative to various aspects ofthe plan dealing with research and studies. Some

reviewersfelt that we could not afford to wait for the research/study data to become available, that we must act decisively now.

This point was brought up several times as it relates to establishing a viable population figure. It was also recommended that we

should rely more on existing data on other species/subspecies and not wait for specific data on the Florida panther.

Response: It should be pointed out that considerable data is now becoming available relative to the panther and its primary prey

species, the white-tailed deer, as a result of research/study efforts initiated within the last few years. This critical data will aid in

developing management and protection strategies and decisions. It along with other appropriatedata already available, whether on

the Florida panther or other species/subspecies will provide the foundation and guidance upon which to initiate a coordinated,

intensive recovery effort. Additional information will continue to become available as ongoing efforts continue and new efforts arc

initiated. All available data will be fully utilized to complement, refine, adjust and improve management and protection strategies

in order to ensure a state of the art recovery effort.

IV. Protection/Manseement

Comment: There were many comments, some rather general in nature and some fairly specific, that addressed such broad topics as

panther and deer habitat issues, highway and other hazards, management and protection needs, disturbance, etc. Some of these

were specific to public lands and some related to private lands only. Comments on these issues will be addressed under other

headings later, as appropriate.

The major theme around which most comments were based is the fact that we are dealing with a critically endangered animal whose

dwindling habitat is continually being exposed to increasing competition and demands from the human element. These demands

occur in many forms, including habitat lossthrough land use changes, habitat and food competition and disturbance from various

forms of recreation (hunting, ATV/ORV use, etc.), road hazards, etc. Commentors expressed concern that major emphasis must be

placed on all fronts to reduce the human/panther competition and hazards and protect the habitat that remains.

Response: As mentioned earlier some ofthese concerns will be addressed in following sections. The FPIC recognizes and agrees

with the position that actions must be initiated to enhance the level of protection presently being provided the panther and its

habitat. The revised recovery plan calls for a coordinated effort involving all levels of governmentto utilize their management and

regulatory authorities and capabilitiesto provide the maximum level of protection possible, both to the panther and its habitat.

Speed limits on critical roadwayswill be highly regulated. Road construction and modifications in habitat areas will incorporate

safety features designed to provide for an enhanced level of protection. The FPIC will continue to evaluate and develop ways to

better preserve and enhance existing habitat and develop strategies to address public use conflicts.

V. Acquisition

Comment: Directly relatedto the above topic on habitat protection, is acquisition. Several commentors stressed the importance of

an active acquisition plan emphasizing speed and consisting of specific timetables.

Response: The FPIC recognizes that habitatpreservation whether it be by acquisition or some other means is the key to the

long-term survival of the Florida panther. The recovery plan presents a general summary of key acquisition needs as presently

identified. However, a much more comprehensive document addressing short-term habitat preservationneeds has already been

developed (Fakahatchee Strand: A Florida Psnther Habitat Preservation Proposal). This 69 page document was developed through

a cooperative effort betweenthe FWS, NPS, and the State of Florida and recommends a team approacW’ to preserving

approximately 88,000 acres of panther habitat in the Fakahatcbee Strand area ofthe Big Cypress Swamp. This ares represents only

a small fraction ofthe total area considered critical to the survival ofthe panther in south Florida. However, the successful

preservation ofthis area, coupled with vast land areas already under public control, along with other important areas identified in

67
the recovery plan for protection, should provide the land area necessary for panther survival in south Florida. Each agency

represented on the FPIC will develop a detailed acquisition plan, including target dates, which will be a part of Comprehensive

Land Management Plans to be developed by each agency as referenced in the revised recovery plan. Acquisition is considered a

high priority activity by the FPIC and consequently will receive special emphasis.

VI. Public Lands

Comment: Considerable comment relative to public lands was received. It basically ranged from a recommendation that the level

of human-panthercompetition shouldbe explored, to taking all public lands, establishing a panther preserve and eliminating all

activities detrimental to panthers. Specific topics identified included the recommendation for a single management plan for public

lands, supplementing the prey base, exotic vegetation control, natural systems management, recreational use, prey base

management,hunter check stations, poaching, food plots, burning, salt blocks, etc.

Response: The final revised recovery plan incorporated many ofthe specific recommendations as presented. A major addition to

the plan which will provide a meansto incorporate the other appropriate recommendationsis task 126. This task requires each

FPIC agency to develop a Comprehensive Land Management Plan to address panther needs on their respective lands. These plans

will be geared to enhancing habitat conditions for panthers and will address all facets of each agency’s on-site management!

protection responsibilities andcapabilities, such as fire, water, recreation, vegetation, etc. The basic themeof each plan will be

that the long-term survival of the panther in south Florida will likely be dependent upon the preservation and appropriate

management of lands under public control and each agency will maximize the use oftheir authorities andcapabilities to this end.

Each plan will be subject to the review ofthe FPIC.

VII. Private Lands

Comment: The importance of private lands was strongly emphasizedby several commentors. The need for managementstrategies

and habitat protection efforts was stressed.

Response: The importance of private lands to the panther is recognized by the FPIC and is evidenced by the factthat current data

indicate that possibly up to one-half of the panthers occurring in south Florida presently occupy private lands. Because ofthis fact,

the FPIC places high priority on the protection and management of panther habitat occurring on private lands. Special emphasis

will be placed on working with these landowners and closely coordinating all recovery efforts with them. AComprehensive Land

Management Plan will be developed for private lands. The cooperation and assistance of all landowners will be vital in the

implementation of recovery efforts. All governmental agencies will be requested to utilize their full regulatory authorities and

capabilitiesto ensure that maximum protection is afforded all panther habitat areas.

VIII. Captive Breeding/PopulationEnhancement

Comment: These topics received a significant level of comment. They ranged mm a position of wholehearted support of using

surgically sterilized hybrids in the reintroduction studies to a position that data obtained from such efforts will be worthless and a

waste offunds and time. There was also significant comment relative to matters dealing with reintroduction sites and efforts.

Outhreeding was also mentioned, as was the importance of consulting with and involving others in this effort.

Response: As is the case with most of the other biological needs and efforts identified within the plan, there is a total void of

information and data relative to reintroduction efforts involving the Florida panther. This, coupled with the fact that all activities

associated with the reintroduction effort must be carded out in a manner to have minimal impacts on the critically low population in

the wild, will require a cautious step-by-step strategy utilizing all information, expertise, and assistance available. This will include

decisions on the use ofsurrogate animals, selection of reintroduction methods and sites, time frames, etc. The FPIC views this

section of the plan as extremely important and its success will be critical to achieving the recovery objective as identified in the

revised recovery plan. Various tasks necessary for this effort have alreadybeen initiated and an orderly progression through

successful reintroduction is provided for in the implementation schedule. The matter ofinitiating outbreeding is considered

premature at this point, but depending onpopulation status, etc., may be pursued atsome point in the future as a last resort effort.

IX. Summary

The FPIC recognizes that the Revised Florida Panther RecoveryPlan will not necessarily meet the satisfaction of all entities

concerned about the plight of the Florida panther. However, itis felt that the plan accurately reflectsthe basic problema associated

with the Florida panther and presents an orderly, workable plan of action based on the present state of knowledge and information

to ensure its continued existence. Sufficient checks and balances will be provided for in the implementation ofthe plan to ensure

68
that all decisions are based on the most accurate information available. It is the opinion of the FPICthat the Florida panther can be

recovered. However, it will not be easy and it cannot be done within a short time frame. Successful recoveryefforts will require

the cooperation and assistanceof many entities, ranging from landownerswithin and adjacent to key habitat areas to the largest

governmental department.

Summary of CommentsReceived on the Ausuat 1994 Draft Revision

Written comments on the August 1994 Technical/Agency draft were received from five entities (ArchboldBiological Station,

Florida Panther Technical Advisory Council, Florida Wildlife Federation [with enclosure from Mr. Al Ford, U], National Parks

and Conservation Association, and The Fund for Animals, Inc.). All commentors indicated support for the proposed genetic

restoration program for the panther. Some were interested in reviewing more detailed information on the proposed program, which

will be provided in the genetic management plan and the Environmental Assessment. The involved agencies were encouragedto

expedite genetic restoration activities as much as possible. Other commentsincluded the need to update the biological information

contained in the recovery plan/revise the recovery plan. A number of comments expressed concern over habitat issues. Including

the continued loss of panther habitat, the need for more aggressive habitat preservation and acquisition activities, the support for

incentives to landowners to retain and manage panther habitat on their lands, the need to designate Critical Habitat, and the need

for a cumulative environmental impactstatement to address urban and agricultural impacts on panther habitat. Also mentioned was

the need to continue development of artificial inseminstion and in vitro fertilization technology, which could be important for

genetic restoration and management.

Comments received not specific to the proposed genetic restoration program will be considered during a complete recovery plan

revision scheduled for 1995.

69