Use Habitat Review Private Lands Animals and Plants Conversion of private lands to intensive agriculture and residential development threatens the future survival of the Florida panther. The greatest concentration of unprotected panther habitat is private land in eastern Collier County and southern Hendry County. Panthers may also reside on large areas of private land in Charlotte, Lee, and Glades counties. Recognizing this, the state of Florida is working with landowners to help preserve habitat.
Private lands are critical to the survival of the Florida panther.
The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission estimates that 53 percent of the Florida panther's current range on private land. According to David Maehr, former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission biologist, public lands are only capable of supporting from 9 to 22 adult panthers, not enough to ensure future survival of the Florida panther.