FWC Panther Family Back to the Wild

A family of Florida panthers are back in the wild after spending months in captivity.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) panther team released the mother and her two cubs on the Picayune Strand Forest in Collier County.  This is the first time the FWC has rescued, rehabilitated and released a family group of panthers.

The mother panther’s leg was broken when she was struck by a vehicle on Collier Boulevard in Naples. Her two 6-month-old male kittens and she were taken to White Oak Conservation where they were able to stay together during Mom’s recovery.  “Typically, orphaned kittens still dependent on their mothers need to be kept in captivity until they can survive on their own,” said Darrell Land, FWC panther team leader.  “However in this case, the mother can continue to raise her kittens, teaching them the required survival and social skills they would not receive in captivity.”

To report dead or injured panthers, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

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