A tenth Florida Panther has died this year.
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officials, the male panther was hit by a car in Pasco County, on I-75, about a half mile south of SR 56 on July 1.
In May, a 2- to 3-year-old female panther was found dead in Collier County on State Road 29, just south of I-75.
Also in May, an 8- to 10-month-old panther cub was found dead in Hendry County.
Both are believed to have been hit by cars.
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials, the death of a 4-year-old male panther was reported in Hendry County on May 2.
15 miles away, another 1-year-old male died in Collier County on May 1.
Over the last decade the federal government has teamed with the state to install crossings under I-75 in Collier County. Wildlife experts have said that little cubs learn from their mothers at a very early age that the crossings under busy crossings like I-75 are safe.
Sometimes the animals stray off the routine and deadly accidents happen.
Florida panthers are protected as an endangered animal under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
According to FWC, there are only 120-230 adult panthers in the entire southeastern United States.
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