Florida's State Animal, the Florida Panther

<p>In today’s episode we’re talking about Florida’s state animal, The Florida panther: where it lives, how it lives, the conservation wins that brought it back from the brink, and what each of us can do to help panthers and people coexist in a rapidly growing state </p><p><strong>Learn More: </strong></p><ul><li><p>Florida Panther Program - <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/</a>  </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Wildlife Watch: Learn to protect the Florida panther during critical breeding season with Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide -  <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2026/02/12/wildlife-watch-learn-to-protect-the-florida-panther-during-critical-breeding-season-with-ask-ifas-bilingual-guide/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2026/02/12/wildlife-watch-learn-to-protect-the-florida-panther-during-critical-breeding-season-with-ask-ifas-bilingual-guide/</a>  </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The Florida Panther: A Passageway to Success - <a href="https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/florida-panther" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/florida-panther</a>  </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Panther Pulse - <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/</a>  </p></li></ul><p><strong>How You Can Help:  </strong></p><ul><li><p>Slow down in posted panther zones, especially at dawn/dusk/night </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Report injured/dead panthers to 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922)</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Report sighting of Florida panther - <a href="https://app.myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://app.myfwc.com/hsc/panthersightings/</a>  </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Support land conservation  programs and efforts - call your elected officials!</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Consider a “Protect the Panther” tag and support local conservation partners -https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/plate/  </p></li></ul><p><strong>Sources: </strong></p><ul><li><p>The Florida Panther: Past, Present, and Future <a href="https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW402" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW402</a>  </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Florida Panther <a href="https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW467" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW467</a>  </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Florida Panther Program - <a href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/</a>  </p></li></ul>