Currently almost all states and provinces that support viable mountain lion populations provide sport hunting opportunities. Collisions with motor vehicles are the primary cause of death of Florida panthers. Habitat loss - Loss of habitat is probably the greatest threat to mountain lion populations. Not only are large tracts of habitat necessary to maintain individual populations of mountain lions, but corridors that connect these tracts are required for dispersal of mountain lions between populations. Roads increase human access to mountain lion habitat, thus increasing mountain lion vulnerability to hunters.
Mountain lions tend to avoid roaded areas.
Areas that are disturbed by habitat alteration associated with human activities or by permanent human presence appear to be less acceptable to mountain lions than undisturbed areas. Mountain lion reactions to logging and other human activities were studied in northern Arizona from 1976 to 1980 and in south-central Utah from 1979 to 1982. Resident males on both study areas generally inhabited areas that were relatively free of human disturbance. Development related to oil exploration has been extensive in occupied Florida panther habitat. Florida panthers are found only in one small part of its original range.