Florida Panther

Excerpts from four episodes are featured in our recap, ranging from topics like the redevelopment of Tropicana Field to mental health during a pandemic.

Excerpts from four episodes are featured in our recap, ranging from topics like the redevelopment of Tropicana Field to mental health during a pandemic.

Both species were targeted under the Trump administration for a status change despite worsening threats.

In May 2021, preliminary construction began on Alico Road in Fort Myers. It is unknown when the construction will be completed, but the ultimate goal is to connect SR82 to Alico Road, creating a direct path from Lehigh Acres to Fort Myers. That path will cut through endangered Florida Panther territory.

A USF study showed overwhelming bipartisan support for various environmental and conservation policies,, including the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act and protecting natural habitats and endangered species.

Conservationists have a five-amendment rights of nature ballot drive going on right now. This is the second in a series looking at each of the rights of nature amendments.

We check back in with WUSF reporter Steve Newborn about recent developments in panther protections. His feature story about a National Geographic cover story highlighting the endangered species first aired in April.

Lawmakers also doubled to $100 million funding for Florida Forever, which preserves environmentally sensitive lands. They agreed to put $300 million from federal stimulus funding toward land conservation.

On this week’s Florida Matters, WUSF reporter Steve Newborn has a conversation with two Floridians profiled in the piece.

A Tampa-based photographer and a Florida panther biologist featured in April's National Geographic magazine say the state's population of the big cat is growing but serious risks remain.

Land development is threatening the Florida panther—just one endangered species impacted by money and politics.

The third death of a Florida panther this year was reported last week. Twenty-two such deaths were reported in 2020.