A magnificent Florida Panther
Picture credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
On our news this morning were at first glance what appeared to be three happy/good stories.
After so many wildlife tragedies in the news lately, these were absolutely welcomed and needed to be shared.
First the numbers for our critically endangered Florida Panther have reported to have rebounded and were cause for at least temporary joy, right?
But wait, Nick Wiley, FWC executive Director, one for whom my respect has greatly diminished after his failed promise three years ago, that Black Bears would never be hunted, may be at it again.
Just as three years ago when the Florida Black Bear was removed from the state’s protection and had its Threatened/Endangered status removed, will the Florida Panther now become the next animal/victim to be put on the happy hunters wish list, if this does happen?
In the related story below, when it says Florida Panther, please mentally insert the words Black Bear and you will see what I fear will become deja vu.
I am sure that Nick and FWC are under tremendous pressure from hunters, gun clubs, the NRA, ranchers and residents in the upscale area where the Panther currently has its highest numbers, to do something, but to take them off of the Endangered Species list when they are still so very small in numbers and considering how many die each and every year from car strikes, outright murders, and other ugly human encounters, would be disastrous for this much beloved State of Florida mammal.
Your move Nick, what will you decide that the fate of our Panther shall be?
Next up, a very rare occurrence, a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle was recently spotted on a local Florida Beach nesting and laying her eggs at Cape Canaveral.
The announcement of this event is causing giddy delirium and great joy here, considering the many obstacles that all nesting sea turtles must always overcome just to do so.
As with so many others in the depleted animal kingdom, Human interference and greed are the primary source for this.
The final good news story was about a young girl from California who has been given a new artificial arm by those brilliant minds at our own UCF.
She, like Winter, now has a brand new way to shine with the generous gift of life from the “3-D Arm Team” at UCF.
It was all a carefully orchestrated, well-directed sweet surprise, by both the school and the Clearwater Aquarium.
So, all in all, this turned out to be a day of gifts that were indeed a mixed blessing.
Places to learn more:
State suggests review of Florida panther status
Florida Panthers died at a record rate in 2014
Rarest sea turtle nests found at CCAFS
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle recovery plan
Girl, 10, gets surprise 3-D arm delivery from UCF students
Calif. Girl Born With No Right Hand Gets Surprise Prosthetic
Walking with the Alligators 
What a stunning creature!
Yes it absolutely is!
We cannot ever allow it to go the way of the do-do bird.
It’s always good to hear good news about your wild creatures, Donna. Wonderful news about the turtle. But how could anyone think of hunting the Florida Panther to extinction? I guess you’ve also been following the worrying news about the Endangered Species Act too via Environmental Action. I didn’t like the sound of this bit – President Obama announced plans to “seriously overhaul the law”. We will keep standing up for the animals and their habitats!
Thank you Peggy!
I am absolutely sick about what is being tossed around right now in Tallahassee regarding the future of our beloved Panther.
Florida is now completely controlled by a group of money grabbing, power hungry, old, white Republican men, who care nothing for our Endangered Wildlife.
If it can’t vote or write a check, it is useless to them!
And do not even get me started about the future of the ESA.
Thanks for keeping us aware of what’s going on with our wild animals who need protection. 🙂
I truly do my best to stay abreast of all things that affect Wildlife, but personal issues have handcuffed me for the past few months.
Will be so happy when it is all behind me.
I must get back to what matters most to me.
I agree; there is so much brainwashing in making you believe everything is running okay; right after they permit the cruel hunting of a beautiful animal. I wouldn’t believe a word they say!!
Yes, absolutely! Sadly, the innocents will pay with their lives.
It’s possible that the culling came from influential private companies and conservative sectors who do not follow public land laws. Public land means it’s for everyone, yet some people keep on insisting it’s the bear who’s invading their territory, even in public land where they have the right to be. So what is the definition of public land, whichever it is, it does not include top animal predators.
You must come live here and help us stand up for their rights.
You speak so beautifully for them~
Many people live as if they could picnic everywhere they want, and fish everywhere they want, forgetting that they are “using” top predator lands which is rightfully theirs. They don’t want to bother respecting panthers, bears, alligators, or snakes. They feel they have the right to use wilderness to suit their needs.
There is an unfortunate imbalance in nature. Natural habitat has been destroyed at a rate faster
than the Earth can replenish it. Humans want to control everything. (or at least thing we can)
Sooner or later painful lessons will be learned
You are so completely accurate and see what the truth is.
It’s great to read your blog after so long! What a beautiful creature, the Florida Panther. How can anyone bear to hunt them?
It is entirely despicable and unacceptable!