The earliest recorded information about the cougar/puma came from the
Inca civilization of Peru. What is now known as the Florida panther was
a feline that originally roamed freely in a large area consisting of the
southeastern portion of the North American continent - roughly, what is
now known as the area from Arkansas to South Carolina, going south to
the very tip of Florida.
The first threat to the Florida panther came during the 1600's to the
1900's, when they were then perceived as a danger to humans, to
livestock owned by humans, and to other game animals, and there was even
a $5.00 bounty put on panther scalps by the State of Florida in 1887.
According to information from The Florida Panther Society, the positive
role of predatory animals has not been understood until very recently.
In the history of our country, and of the world, wherever human
populations settled, predatory animals were seen as a threat to human
life, and the immediate reaction from humans was to try to control these
predators by eliminating them, with no thought to their important role
in the ecosystem, the natural food chain and the overall balance of the
animal populations.
Florida Panther Cub
©Florida Panther Society
OUR INTERVIEW & DISCUSSION
HDW: Stephen, thank you so very much for so graciously agreeing to this
interview. We are anxious to inform our readers of PETWORLD Magazine
about the plight of the Florida Panther, and tell them about The Florida
Panther Society, for which you are currently serving as President. How do Florida panthers, often considered the top predator in
their South Florida habitat, contribute to the ecosystem??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: HOLLY, THE PANTHER SERVES WITHIN ITS RANGE TO HELP MANTAIN THE BALANCE OF POPULATION LEVELS OF OTHER ANIMAL SPECIES. IN NATURAL SYSTEMS THE WILDLIFE CARRYING CAPACITY OF AN AREA DEPENDS ON THE AVAILABLE FOOD SUPPLY. FOR PREY SPECIES, DISEASE AND PREDATION HELP TO BALANCE PREY POPULATIONS WITH THAT FOOD SUPPLY. IN SOUTH FLORIDA, THE ECOLOGY OF THE REGION IS SERIOUSLY STRESSED BY INVASION OF EXOTIC PLANT SPECIES WHICH ARE VERY DISRUPTIVE AND OFTEN OF LITTLE USE TO NATIVE WILDLIFE. THE MANAGEMENT OR MIS-MANAGEMENT OF THE EVERGLADES WATER SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE ALSO RENDERS THE REGION TO BE LESS THAN OPTIMAL
FOR MANY SPECIES. THE BIRD LIFE, DEER POPULATIONS EVEN THE MARINE LIFE OF FLORIDA BAY ARE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF AND FLOOD CONTROL EFFORTS. THE FLORIDA PANTHER HAS NOT COME TO LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA BECAUSE IT IS GOOD HABITAT, BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE ONCE IMPENETRABLE NATURE OF THE AREA.
HDW: Are Florida panthers genetically different from other panthers??
Or, is it just their location that has given rise to the name "Florida
Panther"?? And, are cougars, pumas and panthers considered to be the
same species??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: THE COUGAR SUBSPECIES, FELIS concolor coryi, (THE
FLORIDA PANTHER) WOULD BE BETTER UNDERSTOOD IF IT WERE REFERRED TO AS THE "SOUTHEASTERN COUGAR". THE TAXONOMICAL VARIATIONS BETWEEN THE 30 SUBSPECIES OF COUGAR RESULT FROM ADAPTATION TO VARIABLES OF CLIMATE, TERRAIN AND PREY BASE WHICH ARE CARRIED ON IN THE GENETIC MATERIAL OF OFFSPRING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE FLORIDA/SOUTHEASTERN CAT IS ABOUT 25% LESS IN BODY WEIGHT THAN ANY OF ITS WESTERN COUSINS. IT IS LONGER LIMBED, HAS A SMALLER PAW, AND IS RUFUS (REDDISH) IN COLOUR WITH A MORE CONVEX ROMAN NOSE-LIKE NASAL AREA. YES, THEY ARE OF THE SAME SPECIES, BUT SUB-CLASSIFICATIONS ARE USEFUL IN UNDERSTANDING EVOLUTIONARY
ADAPTATIONS WITHIN ANY SPECIES.
HDW: Could you tell us the grim statistics about the plight of the
Florida Panther today - how many of them are there??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: HOLLY, THERE ARE BETWEEN 30 AND 50 CATS REMAINING IN THE WILD. THERE MAY BE AN INCREASE IN THE CURRENT ISOLATED SINGLE KNOWN BREEDING WILD POPULATION IN SOUTH FLORIDA DUE TO GENETIC RESTORATION EFFORTS. THIS HASN'T BEEN FULLY DOCUMENTED IN THE FIELD AS YET, BUT IF TRUE, THERE IS A CHANCE THESE CATS, IN INCREASING NUMBERS, WOULD EXPAND THEIR RANGE AND DEVELOP OTHER BREEDING POPULATIONS. THE QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS WHETHER THEY CAN SURVIVE MOVING THROUGH AREAS WHERE AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT ARE INTENSIFYING, TO FIND THE MORE SUITABLE HABITAT WHICH ACTUALLY LIES FURTHER NORTH. THE SOLUTION WOULD BE THE ENHANCMENT OF THE EXISTING POPULATION BY IMPROVING THE PREY BASE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND AN AGGRESSIVE CAPTIVE BREEDING EFFORT. THE NEXT STEP WOULD THEN BE TO TRANSLOCATE SELECTED ANIMALS IN GROUPS OF 20 TO 50 TO AVAILABLE QUALITY HABITAT IN THE SOUTHEAST. THIS, IN FACT, IS WHAT IS CALLED FOR IN THE RECOVERY PLAN.
THEREIN LIES THE PRIMARY PROBLEM, WHICH IS INSTITUTIONAL PARALYSIS. THE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES WHICH DESIGN AND ADMINISTER THE RECOVERY EFFORT UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT HAVE LEFT THE PROGRAM DEAD IN THE WATER SINCE 1995. AT THE STATE LEVEL, THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION HAVE BEEN HELD HOSTAGE TO OPPOSITION OF BUT A FEW STATE LEGISLATORS. AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AUTHORITY IN THE U.S. PARK SERVICE IS LIMITED AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) HAS YET TO ASSERT THE AUTHORITY WHICH ONLY IT HAS.
AS OF NOVEMBER OF 1999 AT A MEETING OF THE ABOVE, FLORIDA PANTHER
INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE MEMBERS GAVE NO INDICATION OF COMMITTEE
WILLINGNESS OR SENSE OF URGENCY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECOVERY PLAN. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE USFWS DID, HOWEVER, ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECOVERY. MANY NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS NOW BELIEVE THE USFWS AND USPS SHOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLLY TO IMPLEMENT THE RE-INTRODUCTION NEEDED TO RECOVER THE SPECIES.
Florida Panther Teenager
©Florida Panther Society
HDW: The Florida Panther was put on the endangered species list by the
U.S. Department of the Interior in 1967, and in 1973 the U.S. Congress
passed the Endangered Species Act. In the following year, our Congress
approved the purchase of 570,000 acres of swamps and uplands in
southwest Florida, which forms the Big Cypress National Preserve. In
addition, the State of Florida also purchased another 75,000 acres of
panther habitat called the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. And in
1982, the panther was adopted as the Florida State Mammal. Just how do
the people of Florida feel about their Florida Panther??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, SWAMP OR SEASONALLY WET SAVANNA IS ACTUALLY A VERY POOR HABITAT FOR THE PANTHER. THE BIG CYPRESS, FAKAHATCHEE STRAND AND OTHER PUBLIC AREAS, THOUGH LARGE, ARE ENTIRELY INADEQUATE WITHOUT THE CONTIGOUS PRIVATE HOLDINGS WHICH REPRESENT THE UPLANDS AND EDGE NECESSARY FOR PANTHER SURVIVAL. MANY LAND OWNERS IN SOUTH FLORIDA ARE SYMPATHETIC TO THE CATS' SURVIVAL BUT ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO CONTINUE LAND USES OF THE TYPE WHICH AFFORD A GOOD
PREY BASE AND RANGE FOR THE PANTHER. THEY COULD BE ENCOURAGED BY CHANGES IN FEDERAL TAX STRUCTURE WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE BREAK-UP OF THEIR PROPERTIES. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS OFFER ANOTHER STATEGY FOR OBTAINING GOOD PANTHER HABITAT. THESE OPTIONS HAVE BEEN WELL STUDIED, BUT ANY EFFORTS TO EFFECT MOVEMENT IN EITHER CASE HAVE SO FAR MET WITH LITTLE SUCCESS.
ACCORDING TO THE "DUDDA STUDY", 83% OF THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA SUPPORT THE PANTHER RE-INTRODUCTION EFFORT AND THUS RECOVERY. THE PROBLEM LIES IN TRANSLATING THAT INTO EFFECTIVE POLITICAL ACTION AND A STRONG DIRECTIVE TO AGENCIES TO PROCEED.
HDW: Let's talk a little bit about the Florida panther, the animal
itself. Could you tell us about the Florida panther's physical
characteristics??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: EARLIER I MENTIONED THE SIZE RELATIVE TO OTHER
SUB-SPECIES. THE MALE FLORIDA PANTHER AVERAGES 119 lbs AND THE FEMALE 82 lbs. THE LARGEST ONE, WEIGHING IN AT 154 lbs, WAS CAPTURED IN HENDRY COUNTY IN 1989. RATHER THAN THE TAWNY APPEARANCE OF SOME OTHER COUGARS, IT'S RUFUS PELAGE IS HIGHLIGHTED WITH GREY ON THE FACE, FORE PAWS AND ELSEWHERE. IN SUBDUED LIGHTING SUCH AS PRE-DAWN, TWILIGHT OR NIGHT, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE WHY SOME OBSERVERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SEEN A BLACK PANTHER, WHEN IN REALITY THEY HAVE ACTUALLY OBSERVED A FLORIDA PANTHER.
SOME OTHER SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS A KINK IN THE TAIL (LAST
FIVE VERTEBRATE), OR A WHORL OF HAIR ON THE BACK, CAN BE TRACED BACK AS INHERITED TRAITS OF CERTAIN PARENTAGE. THE CONTINUANCE OF THESE ANOMOLIES ARE THE RESULT OF INBREEDING DUE TO THE SMALL NUMBER OF ANIMALS. THE WHITE FLECKS WHICH ARE SEEN ON THE NECK AND CHEST OF WILD CAUGHT CATS ARE THE RESULT OF TICKS AND THEIR REMOVAL BY THE CATS DURING PREENING.
Florida Panther Adult Male
©Florida Panther Society
HDW: What sorts of habitats do they prefer, and what food do they eat??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: ANY HABITAT WHICH SUPPORTS A SUFFICENT PREY BASE IS GOOD FOR PANTHERS. GENERALLY IN THE SOUTHEAST THIS MEANS UPLAND EDGE WHICH PROVIDES BROWSE FOR ITS PRIMARY PREY, THE WHITE TAIL DEER. ANOTHER IMPORTANT PREY IS THE FERAL HOG, A DESCENDANT OF THOSE HOGS WHICH HERNANDO DESOTO FIRST BROUGHT TO THE SOUTHEAST IN THE 15th CENTURY. OTHER PREY INCLUDE PRACTICALLY EVERY OTHER SMALL WILD MAMMAL, SUCH AS RACCOONS, OPOSSUMS, ARMADILLOS AND OTHERS. IN MORE MARGINAL HABITATS, PANTHERS WILL EVEN UNDERTAKE TO CATCH AND EAT SMALL ALLIGATORS.
HDW: We've heard stories that the panther has a very unusual noise that
it makes on occasion - a sort of loud vocal warning scream. When do
they use this, and how do they normally communicate??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: THE OFTEN TOLD TALE OF THE PANTHER OR COUGAR SCREAM, WHICH IS SAID TO SOUND LIKE A WOMAN SCREAMING, IS ONE WHICH, AS FAR AS I KNOW, IS NOT BASED UPON ANY RECORDED EVIDENCE. AMONG THE NUMBER OF BIOLOGISTS, TRACKERS AND PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS WHICH I HAVE MET, NONE HAVE EVER CONFIRMED HEARING SUCH A VOCALIZATION BY THE CAT. ON ONE OCCASION, AN INDIVIDUAL CLAIMED TO HAVE TAPE RECORDED A CAT NEAR HIS HOUSE IN NORTH FLORIDA. THE CRIES OF THE LIMPKIN (A LARGE SWAMP WADING BIRD) EMANATING FROM THE SPEAKERS DISPROVED HIS ASSERTIONS. I DO HAVE NEARLY AN HOUR OF RECORDING OF THREE DIFFERENT CATS, TWO FEMALES AND A MALE, WITH A REPERTOIRE THAT WOULD PUT AN OPERA STAR TO SHAME. IT
AMOUNTS TO THE VERY SAME CATERWAULING YOU GET FROM THE COMMON HOUSE CAT, ONLY AMPLIFIED MANY TIMES OVER AND MUCH DEEPER. THE ONE SOUND THAT THEY DO MAKE WHICH IS MOST INTERESTING IS THE UNUSUAL BIRD-LIKE CHIRP WHICH THEY USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH KITTENS. YOU MIGHT ASK IF YOU HEARD THIS SOUND IN THE WOODS, "WHAT KIND OF BIRD WAS THAT?!"
HDW: What are some of the most unusual, lesser-known social or general
characteristics about the Florida panthers??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: THE NORTH AMERICAN LION SOCIETY IS PROBABLY MUCH DIFFERENT THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT IT TO BE. UNLIKE THE AFRICAN LION FAMILY STRUCTURE OF A GROUPING OF RELATED FEMALES, THE FLORIDA PANTHER IS RELATIVELY SOLITARY. THE FEMALE IS ENTIRELY RESPONSIBLE FOR RAISING THE YOUNG. IN FACT, SHE MUST BE EVER WARY TO PROTECT THEM AS THE MALE IS LIKELY TO KILL HIS OWN YOUNG IN ORDER TO PROMPT HER TO GO INTO ESTRUS AGAIN SO SHE WILL WANT TO MATE. A FEMALE MAY OTHERWISE ONLY OCCASIONALLY GET TOGETHER WITH AN OFFSPRING WHO HAS MOVED ON TO DEVELOP IT'S OWN TERRITORY ADJACENT TO HERS. SHE GENERALLY AVOIDS THE COMPANY OF ALL BUT HER CURRENT LITTER OF KITTENS OR THAT OF A COURTING MALE WHEN SHE IS IN ESTRUS.
MALES TRY TO DEVELOP TERRITORIES WHICH COVER THE RANGES OF SEVERAL ADULT FEMALES IN SOUTH FLORIDA, AND THESE TERRITORIES MAY BE AS LARGE AS 200 SQ MILES. THE FEMALE'S RANGE IS SMALLER; FROM 75 TO 100 SQ MILES. FOR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, THE SIZE OF THESE AREAS DEPENDS HEAVILY UPON THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THE PREY BASE. YOUNGER MALES OFTEN RANGE FAR AFIELD COVERING 200 OR MORE LINEAR MILES, BUT ARE APT TO RETURN WHEN UNABLE TO FIND AVAILABLE FEMALES WITH WHICH TO BREED. FROM AGE 2 UNTIL 5, A MALE OFTEN LIVES ON THE EDGE OF RESIDENT HOME RANGES AS A TRANSIENT OR SUB-DOMINATE ADULT, AND HAS TO WAIT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF AS A BREEDER.
Florida Panther Poster
~ Available through the Florida Panther Society website ~
©Brian Call, Nature Photographer
HDW: Assuming ultimate conditions and protection, how long do Florida
panthers generally live, and could you tell us a little bit about their
natural life cycles??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: IN THE WILD, THE PANTHER CAN LIVE TO ABOUT TWELVE YEARS OF AGE; IN CAPTIVITY, AS MUCH AS TWENTY. THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE, OF COURSE, BEGIN WITH BIRTH. AFTER A GESTATION OF 92-TO 96 DAYS, A LITTER OF FROM ONE TO FOUR KITTENS IS BORN. BLIND AND WEIGHING LESS THAN A POUND, THE KITTENS RAPIDLY DEVELOP AND AT THREE WEEKS, THEY CAN SEE AND BEGIN TO WALK. THEY REMAIN IN THE DEN FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, AFTER WHICH THEY START TO TRAVEL WITH THE MOTHER.
AT FIRST THE MOTHER HUNTS ALONE, RETURNING TO LEAD THE KITTENS TO A KILL. AT CLOSE TO A YEAR OLD, THEY BEGIN TO ACCOMPANY HER ON THE ACTUAL HUNT. THE FAMILY BREAKS UP WHEN THE KITTENS REACH 1 1/2 TO 2 YEARS OF AGE AND ARE ABLE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. NOTABLY IT TAKES ABOUT 3,200 CALORIES A DAY TO SUSTAIN AN ADULT MALE, AND AS MUCH AS 4,000 CALORIES FOR A NURSING FEMALE. IT IS OFTEN "FEAST OR FAMINE" FOR THESE CATS, AND IF INEXPERIENCED, INJURED OR OLD, THE CAT DEPENDS MORE UPON SMALLER PREY, WHICH IS EASIER TO HUNT AND KILL. WHEN SUCCESSFUL IN TAKING DOWN ITS PRIMARY PREY OF DEER OR HOG, THE CAT MAY EAT AS MUCH AS 10 TO 30 LBS OF MEAT EACH FEEDING AND STAY WITH THE KILL TWO TO THREE DAYS.
HDW: What are the biggest needs today of the Florida Panther??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: HABITAT LOSS AND DEGRADATION ARE THE MAJOR THREATS TO THE FLORIDA PANTHER TODAY. PUBLIC LANDS ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN THEM OR ENSURE THEIR FUTURE. THE STEWARDSHIP AND COMPASSION OF PEOPLE, AS LANDOWNERS, AND AS RESOURCES AND RECREATIONAL USERS, IS REQUIRED TO ASSURE NEEDED SPACE AND CONNECTING CORRIDORS FOR ALL WILDLIFE, INCLUDING PANTHERS. IT IS NOT AN "EITHER/OR" SITUATION, BUT MOST CERTAINLY IT NECESSITATES A RE-EVALUATION OF PRIORITIES AT THE PERSONAL AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.
TODAY, THE SPACE IS THERE FOR THEM AND HUMAN SOCIETY; HOWEVER, FOR WANT OF A LAND ETHIC AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESTRAINT, THE PANTHER WILL NOT FARE WELL IN THE FUTURE. IN THE SHORT TERM, STRONG AND COMMITTED LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED TO MOVE THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY FORWARD AND THAT MEANS RE-INTRODUCTION INTO APPROPRIATE PORTIONS OF ITS FORMER RANGE. A VIGOROUS EDUCATION EFFORT AND OUTREACH IS NEEDED TO OBTAIN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT NECESSARY TO ADDRESS WHAT IS CLEARLY A MOST POLITICAL ISSUE.
HDW: What are the leading causes of death in the life cycles of Florida
Panthers today??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: ONLY FROM 40% T0 60% OF PANTHER KITTENS LIVE TO YOUNG ADULTHOOD. DEATH INCLUDING THAT OF KITTENS FROM INTRASPECIFIC AGGRESSION (I.E., PANTHERS KILLING PANTHERS), IS ABOUT 37%; ROAD KILL IS ABOUT 17%. DEATH DUE TO DISEASE, AND FROM INFECTION AS THE RESULT OF INJURY, OR ULTIMATELY DEATH FROM STARVATION IN OLD AGE ARE ALSO MAJOR FACTORS. ALL OF THESE FOLLOW IN ABOUT THAT ORDER. ANNUALLY THE POPULATION LOSES ABOUT 17% OF ITS MEMBERS. THE SOURCES OF MORTALITY INCLUDE: RABIES, PSEUDORABIES, CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS, AND MERCURY POISONING. THE OVERALL DECLINE OF THE SPECIES, HOWEVER, IS REALLY ATTRIBUTED TO HUMAN CAUSES.
COMPETITION WITH HUMANS FOR AVAILABLE SPACE AND RESOURCES (PREY) ADDS TO THE LIST OF NEGATIVES. FIRST, THERE IS LAND PLANNING WHICH ATTEMPTS TO CONSIDER SPACES FOR WILDLIFE AND CORRIDORS BETWEEN THEM IN CONSIDERATION OF MIGRATION AND ESSENTIAL MOVEMENT PATTERNS -- BUT GOES LARGELY UNDONE. SECONDLY, CATS HAVE NOT PROVEN TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH HUNTING. THEY WILL CONSUME ABOUT 2% TO 5% OF A DEER POPULATION ANNUALLY. SOME FORMS OF HUNTING, HOWEVER, SUCH AS USING DOGS (WHICH DISRUPT GAME PATTERNS AND PREDATOR MOVEMENT) AND BAITING OF PREY SPECIES, CREATE DIFFICULTIES. HEAVY, LOUD MECHANICAL AND HUMAN TRAFFIC IS ALSO DESTRUCTIVE TO BOTH THE AESTHETICS AND THE ECOLOGY OF WILDLIFE
HABITAT.
Florida Panther Mother and Two Cubs
©Florida Panther Society
HDW: Could you tell our readers about some of the recovery efforts
being made today by The Florida Panther Society?
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: THE WORK OF THE FLORIDA PANTHER SOCIETY IS FOCUSED ON PUBLIC EDUCATION. SCHOOLS, CLUBS, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESS INTERESTS BENEFIT FROM SELECT PRESENTATIONS USING VIDEO, STATIC DISPLAYS AND LECTURE PRESENTATIONS. THESE ARE OFFERED ON A REGIONAL LEVEL IN NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA AND SOUTHEASTERN GEORIGA -- BOTH AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL FOR THE RE-INTRODUCTION CONCEPT.
ANOTHER ELEMENT OF OUR WORK IS AN INFORMATION SERVICE ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THE RECOVERY PROGRAM. OUR WEBSITE,
http://www.panthersociety.org/ RECEIVES
APPROXIMATELY 1400 NEW VISITORS PER MONTH. THE SITE CONTAINS
COMPREHENSIVE TEXT, PHOTOS, LINKS AND DATA ABOUT THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY FOR THE PANTHER. OUR PURPOSE IS TO INCITE TO ACTION BEYOND A SIMPLE INTEREST IN THE SPECIES FUTURE AND CHALLENGE THE VISITOR TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR ITS SURVIVAL.
THIRDLY, THE OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE FPS, Inc. PARTICIPATE FULLY IN EVERY ASPECT AVAILABLE REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOVERY EFFORT. THIS INCLUDES WORKSHOPS AND HEARINGS CONDUCTED BY THE INVOLVED AGENCIES AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. STAYING ACTIVE IN THE PROCESS AS A STAKEHOLDER, WE WORK TO BECOME BETTER INFORMED AND CAPABLE OF FACILITATING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.
HDW: While the plight of the Florida Panther is the struggle to try to
save a magnificent animal subspecies here in the United States, what can
our PETWORLD readers do to help?? Any ideas for the families,
students, children, and schools/educators both here in the USA and around the world, who may want to show their support to the Florida Panther in a meaningful way??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: THE BEST WAY PEOPLE CAN HELP THE FLORIDA PANTHER IS TO BECOME INFORMED ABOUT THE ISSUES REGARDING THE RECOVERY PROCESS AND THEN ACT TO SUPPORT IT. USE THE LIBRARY AND THE INTERNET, THEN WRITE LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR REINTRODUCTION TO:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeastern Regional Office
1875 Century Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30345
U.S.A.
c/o: Sam Hamilton, Regional Director
PH: 1-404-679-4000
MAKE YOUR LETTER CONCISE, BE POSITIVE AND DEMONSTRATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES. ANOTHER WAY TO HELP IS BY ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF FLORIDA TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF A FLORIDA NEWSPAPER TO TELL THEM OF YOUR CONCERNS. PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND INDIVIDUALS ARE THE ONES WHO BEGIN TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
The Florida Panther Society, Inc. logo
©Florida Panther Society
HDW: How did you personally get involved with The Florida Panther
Society?? What are some of the accomplishments of The Florida Panther
Society of which you are most proud??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: AS A PROFESSIONAL GUIDE IN FLORIDA, MY AFFINITY FOR NATURE AND ALL THAT IT IS, FOUND EXPRESSION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM. MY FORMAL EDUCATION CULMINATED WITH A DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND LED ME TO TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY COMMUNITY AND THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY BY DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SEVERAL WAYS. SPEAKING OUT ON LOCAL ISSUES, ATTENDING HEARINGS, WORKING THROUGH AN AUDUBON CHAPTER WERE ALL POSITIVE EXPRESSIONS FOR ME. I FIRST BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE PANTHER RECOVERY PROCESS AS A VOLUNTEER IN NORTH FLORIDA IN A RE-INTRODUCTION FESIBILITY STUDY. THEN IN 1994, I JOINED WITH OTHERS TO FORM THE FLORIDA PANTHER SOCIETY.
I THINK THAT I AM MOST PROUD OF IS OUR CONTRIBUTION TOWARD HELPING MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE VALUES INHERENT IN THE WORLD OF PREDATOR AND PREY. FOR ME, THE PANTHER IS A SYMBOL OF THE VITALITY, BALANCE AND WONDER OF THE EARTH AND ALL OF NATURE. SUPPORT FOR THE PANTHER IS ONE WAY TO SHOW WE CARE. IN A LARGER SENSE, CONCERN FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES IMPLIES A COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE AND SO THEN ALSO TO OURSELVES. THE MEASURE OF OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS ULTIMATELY TIED TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THAT CHALLENGE.
HDW: What is the prognosis for the Florida Panther?? How do things
look for the future - will our children and grandchildren be able to see
real live Florida Panthers?? Any other thoughts or ideas you'd like to
share with our readers??
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: PROGRESS TO ACHIEVE RECOVERY HAS BEEN SLOW IN
COMING. LITTLE HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE
FUTURE IS BASICALLY IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WOULD BE COMMITTED TO SETTING THE AGENCIES ON A FAST TRACK TO RE-INTRODUCTION. A CARING, COMMITED PUBLIC COULD MAKE IT A REALITY.
TO KNOW THAT THE AMERICAN LION STILL EXISTS IN THE SOUTHEAST MAY BE IN ITSELF ITS OWN BEST REWARD. THE REALITY IS THAT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE A ZOO OR PARK, THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACTUALLY SEEING A PANTHER/COUGAR IS LIMITED. THAT IT EXISTED IN THE WILD CAN BE FAR MORE MEANINGFUL IN OTHER WAYS.
IT IS REALISTIC TO EXPECT THAT IF NATURAL SYSTEMS ARE HEALTHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE PANTHER AND OTHER UMBRELLA SPECIES IS INTACT, ALL OF NATURE BENEFITS. IN THAT IT ALSO PROVIDES US WITH A CONTINUED AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF OUR OWN DEVELOPMENT AS A SPECIES, IS REASON ENOUGH TO SAVE THE PANTHER.
HDW: Once again, Stephen, thank you so very much for sharing all this
information and knowledge with us. Please let our interested readers
know how they may contact you and The Florida Panther Society. We wish
you and everyone associated with the Florida Panther much success with
all the various research projects, captive breeding programs, wildlife
recovery and re-introduction programs, and every other endeavor possible
to try to save this valuable, highly endangered, majestic panther.
Please keep us posted.
STEPHEN WILLIAMS: WE CAN BE CONTACTED AT:
The Florida Panther Society Inc.
Rt. 1, Box 1895
White Springs, FL 32096
Ph: 1-904-397-2945
e-mail: coolcat73@bellsouth.net
website: http://www.panthersociety.org/
