FP224 release, © Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission

Last May was not a particularly good month for a young female Florida panther near Naples, Florida. On May 12, a resident of the Golden Gate Estates area of town called authorities to report having seen a limping panther on his property. Biologists from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were called to the home the following morning because the panther had not left the area and was not moving – a sure sign she was injured and in distress. When biologists located the panther, she was sheltered in the remains of a fallen cypress tree among branches and vines, unable to move. Biologists assessed the situation and carefully approached the panther, anesthetizing her as she lay resting so they could examine her and determine the extent of her injuries.

FWC biologists found the injured panther taking shelter in the brush. At the site, a veterinarian working with the Commission determined that at the very least, the cat had a badly injured right rear leg and other potentially dangerous wounds. After transporting her to a local emergency veterinary practice, doctors there determined that the panther had likely been hit by a vehicle and was not only suffering from a broken right femur, but also had rib fractures and bruises around her lungs. She was given immediate emergency surgery to repair the injury to her femur and once stable, was transported to White Oak Conservation Center in north Florida for recovery, with hopes that she would one day be returned to the wild.