The magnificent, soon likely to be extinct, Florida Panther
Picture credit: The Florida Panther page
Just now on our lunchtime news, was a story about our Governor’s supposed questionable connection to some of the very same Companies that had recently been given permission to drill for oil by our DEP in Collier County.
They said, that he owns a lot of stock in one of the Oil Companies that wants to drill, blah, blah, blah.
It went on for several minutes about various terrible things that they believed were going on, that may have been most unethical and the Governor’s possible connection to the these drilling companies, and the terrible idea that he was doing some VERY unethical things, it went on ad nauseam.
By the time it was over, I felt completely disgusted with the story, the Reporters, the Residents of Collier County, the Governor and anyone else involved in this nightmare.
People were shown taking to the streets of their upscale neighborhoods, like Naples, signs in hand, shouting about their beautiful way of life being lost, their soon to be declining property values, their glorious life styles diminishing, etc., etc.
Every single point that they made, was about how the possible drilling would affect them and their lives.
At no time, did anyone ever mention, what should, in my opinion, be the number one reason that no one should EVER be allowed to drill in Collier County, it is the very last safe haven, or tiny remaining Habitat for our critically Endangered Florida Panther.
This animal is on it last legs, it is at the end of the log.
Hello, it is out of time.
But not once was this fact mentioned in this story.
Why?
If this drilling is approved and they do begin in Collier County, the Florida Panther is doomed to extinction.
But should any of this come as a surprise?
This is the very same neighborhood that just a few short months ago, was completely up in arms, screaming for Florida Fish and Wildlife to come and take care of a Black Bear that was annoying them.
They wanted it gone, and right now!
So, if our desperate Florida Panthers need any warmth, support, or a kind word spoken for them in this area, they are just plain, flat-out of luck.
Period!
In Collier County, money and status trumps all.
I know this because one of my Aunts lives there and she has spoken about this fact at great lengths to me.
Are all of the parties involved in this matter completely oblivious to the dangerous peril that the Panther is in?
I truly doubt that.
What is clear to me, is that when it comes to money, profit, political power and just about anything in Florida, any and everything comes before the life of an animal.
Greed is a state of life and mind here.
So, will oil drilling go forward here, most probably.
If it is stopped, one thing that you can be sure of, it will NOT be because they are concerned with the ethics of the Governor and where his sticky little fingers may, or may not have been.
It will NOT be because they are concerned with the life or death of the Florida Panther.
It will ONLY be because somehow their money and status is threatened and in Collier County, that is everything.
Ethics can be damned.
Places to learn more:
FL Gov. Scott stake in oil company tied to drilling near Everglades and endangered Panther habitat
Scott’s stake in oil company tied to Collier drilling riles environmentalists
DEP and Collier Commission Clash Over Everglades Oil Drilling
Gov. Rick Scott’s stake in oil company tied to Collier drilling riles environmentalists
Sen. Nelson calls for federal review of Hughes Co. well drilling in Collier
Judge backs Collier County drilling project
Walking with the Alligators 
Reblogged this on sachemspeaks and commented:
Sic ’em my dear Sic ’em
Thank you so much for sharing their story!
Pingback: The extremely endangered Florida Panther! | Shechaim Ohjieshans word of the day
As with karma, in the end our diligence, persistence and beliefs will prevail. We just keep fighting the good fight!
The Florida Panther does not have the luxury of time on their side.
Resignation doesn’t win fights though, does it, Donna?
I wish it did, but the Florida Panther does not have enough influence among the rich and powerful in this state who control its fate.
I’m so disgusted by the greed in this world and not giving a damn for the sentient beings who do live on this earth. Where will it all end? When we are all dead? Really! Great post and I do thank you for addressing this issue! (((HUGS))) Amy
Thank you for caring about them Amy.
We are in complete agreement on the sad status of the relationship between Human beings and Animals.
Someone gave me one of the highest compliments yesterday by saying I am a true Humanitarian. That extends to ALL Life in my opinion. What I see enrages me and makes me feel so helpless, as if the little I do, is not enough, and that time is really running out. Bless YOU for caring!!! (((HUGS))) Amy
Thank you!!!!
And I thank you in return!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
This needs to be shared. People of Florida ….. Say no to drilling!!
Thank you so very much for sharing their story Dr. Rex.
We/they need for something BIG to happen to save them and stop this.
A miracle??
Yes, a miracle! Greed us too strong & powerful!!
Today I was able to watch Andean Condors fly over me and a hundred or so awe struck tourists. I feel blessed to have been able to see these magnificent birds in nature instead of a zoo. Thankfully years ago environmentalists and conservationists were able to preserve this bird and convince Peru to establish a sanctuary for the bird and make it illegal to hunt them. I was so in awe of this bird I took time out from my vacation to post three photos of these great birds in flight.
What a shame it would be if the Florida Panther became extinct or could only be seen in a zoo. The profit motive has a way of bulldozing habitats of the endangered. Sadly saving species has become politicized. And worst of all are those who lay claim to a religion where they are supposed to be stewards of the world and all they can think of is themselves and how their political party of choice believes humans have the right to exterminate animals for the almighty dollar.
Yes, we did the same thing in California.
Saving Endangered Species yields no profit return for the elite who have a stranglehold on the American political system, in not only Florida, but much of this Country.
When we go to the Polls this Fall, may we remember those elected officials who make all of their decisions with a check book in their outstretched hands.
Heartbreaking & infuriating. Thank you for posting~
Thank you for caring Cindy~
oh,my; i am so very sorry.
you are right; few people care about the wildlife anymore. humans are losing their connections with the earth; losing navigational skills, they are relying on gadgets and devices to find their way from point to point. maths? why exercise the brain when a calculator will do it faster? drawing – whoa – let’s use a projector or a scanner or graphic art instead…
slowing down to appreciate nature or realizing we’re on a runaway train toward self extinction does not ring true to many.
good luck w/your fight to save their habitat.
z
Thank you for your supportive comments.
But thank you even more for this great video.
I had never heard it before.
It was simply awesome!
I’d rather be the panther in a tree
lying in golden sunshine,
tail dangling gracefully
among the Spanish moss
of Florida oaks(?)
than an elite
living upscale,
empty of reason,
void of sympathy.
Tis true, tis true~
This is so, so sad, yet sadly so unsurprising to hear 😦 Do those people actually know the Florida Panther still exists at present? How many more animals will be lost from this planet in the name of ‘civilised progress’?! It disgusts me! To have a chance of avoiding a climate change disaster we need to leave the oil in the ground anyway … when will some people realise this I wonder?! … perhaps when they are up to their necks in sea water? I see Miami is heading that way already! We can only continue campaigning and awareness-raising … never give up.
Thank you so much, as always, for your dedication to our animal friends.
If only there were so many more like you~
Follow the money! That mantra really hits home when you are looking into corruption and special interests groups.
Of course. And the money trail here always leads right back to Tallahassee.
I shared this on my facebook group, CPEACE, (Connecting People, Ecosystems and Animals for Conservation of Earth). I’ve been thinking for quite a while that the NGOs may have to join forces on some issues to combat for what little wildlands and wildlife remains. We are in a David and Goliath battle as the most profitable industry in the history of mankind owns the politicians; they are now courting and financing the NRA, The Safari Club International, and The Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation. The oil & gas industry is after our public lands and they do not give a damn about wildlife, habitat preservation, or extinctions….IMO.
I think there is continuing litigation over whether Misosoukee and Seminoles can hunt and kill them on tribal lands.
I’m familiar with Collier County and spent some time there a few years back. I never did meet anyone who had an appreciation for place. They may talk it up with their nose in the air but actually having a sense of place – nope
My Aunt, who has lived there for many years, says pretty much the same thing.
BTW, Welcome to my little world here in the Forest.
Love your Blog!
BTW Once more.
I have a new Blog and Posting that may be of interest to you: http://flawlesspandemonium.wordpress.com/2014/06/19/power-to-the-hawaiian-people/
Very sad.
Yes, It is tragic and there appears to be no change coming anytime soon to their situation.
I’m glad someone like yourself is there to fight for those who can’t. It’s not any different anywhere else and this is what truly scares me. Thanks for posting.
We must be vigilant in this.
It will take Global co-operation to do it~
We have a lot of deer in this little subdivision, because we are surrounded parkland.
Many people are now complaining because sometimes the deer munch on the “landscaping.”.
Ummm…wait….the deer were here first AND they need to eat.
I have posted many photos of deer on my blog. I think they are beautiful.
http://storieswithnobooks.com/2013/03/02/buck-in-birch-shadows/
I notice that they prefer to eat the clover in the grass and the acorns that fall from the trees.
To make the homeowner’s association happy, we planted some evergreens and Rose of Sharon (deer-resistant plants) around the front of our house. That’s the extend of our landscaping.
Everything has worked out just fine.
Deer have always been VERY close to my heart. We don’t see enough of them here and we are in a Forest.
Right now, there are people in other parts of Florida who are unhappy because they have too many.
It is sad, they want to have them “disposed of, ” with bows and arrows.
The animals have no one to speak for them but us, you, me and all who love them.
You are obviously an advocate on their behalf, please speak loudly where you are, they are counting on you~
Now I will go look at your link, which I am sure I will love!
surrounded ” by” parkland…..
Happens to me all the time!!!!!
My fingers can’t keep up with my brain~