A critically endangered Florida Panther has been killed by a vehicle strike in Hendry County, increasing this year’s death total to 16.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission‘s Panther Pulse website, the 5-and-a-half-year-old male designated as UCFP493 was found on Wednesday by Country Road 833, 0.2 miles north of Country Road 832.
In 2025, 15 of the reported deaths by FWC have been attributed to vehicle strikes, with one death attributed to “intraspecific aggression,” which, according to the Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny, occurs when animals attack members of their species. Typically, this is done as an act of dominance or when resources are scarce, forcing a struggle to improve survival chances.
Six deaths have occurred in Hendry County, making it the second-deadliest area concerning panther deaths for the year.
Currently, Collier County is the deadliest regarding panther deaths in 2025, with seven reported fatalities by vehicles. Two of the six reported deaths were sister kittens found on Davis Boulevard, both eastbound and westbound, on Aug. 10.
Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
By Tim Belizaire
Since they began recording panthers in 2014, the FWC has reported 82 deaths in Hendry County—the highest number occurring in 2018, where 12 panthers were killed.
Since 2014, the FWC has maintained records of panther deaths, depredations, and births of litters.
While directly comparing 2025 to 2024, 31 deaths were reported by this time in December last year, with the 31st death occurring on November 29, when a 9-year-old male was killed by a vehicle in Collier County.
For reference, by December 4, the 32nd death had been reported, where a 7-to-8-month-old kitten was killed by a vehicle in Glades County.
In 2024, 36 panthers were found dead, 29 due to vehicles; one was struck by a train, two were killed from predation, and four died from unknown causes, marking the second-highest yearly death total recorded by the FWC since 2014.
Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
According to the FWC, the guiding conservation goal for the Florida panther is to manage this significant wildlife resource for its long-term well-being and the benefit of both the panther and people.
There are two ways to purchase a panther plate.
You can become a first-time panther tag owner or replace your current plate with a new one by visiting your local Tax Collector’s office to purchase or renew it in person.
Renew your existing “Protect the Panther” registration online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
In September, the FWC completed its first enrollment period for the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Pilot Program. Eligible applicants could be awarded with per-acre payments for providing habitat conditions that support panther conservation and landscape connectivity, benefiting both landowners and panthers.
The program received 69 applications covering over 172,000 acres in 14 counties; however, only 59 applications met the eligibility criteria.
Nicholas Karsen is a Digital Specialist and has been with WINK News since May 2023.