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All of these critters are pretty much important to the balance of how everything goes, Broaddus said. It left behind a paw print that was several inches wide. By the end of the seventh year, when we terminated the study, every single place that we monitored had evidence of coyotes being there, Main said, who discovered coyotes had spread as far south as Key Largo. Thedeath marked 11 panthers killed so far this year on Florida roadways. Adult panthers are brown, about fiveto sevenfeet long, and can weigh between 60-160 pounds. The verified panther reports were largely confined to southwest Florida, the well-documented breeding range for panthers in the state. There is no requirement for panther spotters to report panther activity to FWC, though the agency does provide a website asking spotters to record their observations and post photos. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. If we do see any panthers, the first thing Ill do is contact the (Tribal) Legal Department, Simmons said. Female panthers have been documented only in South Florida, which is where all known breeding occurs. (Courtesy of John Molnar). When Gillian Dionne moved to the beachside community in Brevard County about three years ago, she didn't realize the mile-wide strip of land between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean was home to numerous coyotes. I know what bobcats look like. The discovery of the young male panther shows the potential for panthers to migrate north. Fish and Wildlife Service and a wide array of experts from around the world to determine what is causing this condition.. In their picture, shared on the local neighborhood social media platform Nextdoor, the cat's tail is not visible. ORLANDO, Fla. An Orlando woman has shared a picture taken of a large wild cat in her backyard that she thinks might be an endangered Florida panther. . However, FWC said the number one threat to panthers is habitat loss. "Ranching families want to preserve their heritage for future generations and the panther needs these working ranchlands to survive. All rights reserved. January 30, 2023 Space Coast Daily News Brevard Countys Best Newspaper, College Cant Wait! In 2018, one of Dionne's cats was killed by a coyote. She said the panther is most likely a male looking for territory to call home. Last year, 21 died by automobile. At Floridas state parks, we protect wildlife habitat by managing these critical lands and waters every day. Dr. Carol Rizkalla, Florida Panther Management Coordinator for FWC, said the panther was just passing through. Check Out Some Great Areas to Explore On and Off Road on a Can-Am Maverick from Route 1 Motorsports, HOT OFF THE PRESS! Fish and Wildlife Service, mature male Florida panthers grow to be nearly 7 feet long from tail to nose and females grow about 6 feet long. Coyotes kill a Brevard County family's dog. That wasnt the case in the beginning of our study.. Like most Central Floridians, Bob Hubbard has seen a lot of wildlife in his time, but he says he's never seen anything like what he saw on Valentine's Day mo. I heard a rustle through my backyard. The publics willingness to share what they have seen or collected on game cameras is incredibly helpful and shows us where panthers presumably are roaming in Florida, said Darrell Land, who heads the FWCs panther team. Construction of these crossings is tentatively scheduled within five years. One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. The Green Swamps 850 square miles is home to 40 percent of the states native vertebrate species and 31 rare or endangered animals, including bald eagles, black bears, fox squirrels, alligators and snakes, according to information on Polk Citys website. As the population has increased, so too have depredation complaints about panthers up to a high of 62 in 2017. Enjoy Space Coast Daily, Brevard Countys Best and Most Read Magazine, HOT OFF THE PRESS! Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS, Agencies To Remove Florida Panther 79 From The Wild After Repeated Livestock Depredations, Captive-reared Florida Panthers Released to the Wild, 2023 - Weekly Highlights from the Asheville Field Office, Asheville, North Carolina, Winter 2023 Fish & Wildlife News: CITES Turns 50, Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In June 2013, this kitten was found nestled amongst a tangle of wax myrtle stems in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. NSU falls to Florida Southern in conference quarterfinal, Indigenous arts, music festival to be held in Big Cypress, Archaeological site in Fort Lauderdale opens as city park, Tribes energy conference enjoys strong attendance, Q&A: Explorer program reboots after pandemic pause, Body cameras provide another set of eyes for SPD officers, Save the tu-lee: Redbay project begins on Tribal reservations. Were working with the U.S. He called FWC biologists, who verified the track. Male panthers tend to roam, while females stay south of Lake Okeechobee. "We want to be able to sustain panthers throughout the state and let them peacefully coexist with the human population," Rizkalla said. For more information about how to report a Florida panther sighting, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions wildlife hotline at 1-888-404-3922. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. People who live in the Beverly Rise subdivision were shocked to hear about a surprise visitor last week. Bobcats are much smaller than the Florida panther and their tails are about one-third their body length. Last February, a state biologist photographed panther tracks at the southern edge of the Green Swamp, below I-4 near Davenport. We take special care of the habitats of endangered species. But Dana Merediths cat Smudgee was not so fortunate. January 16, 2023 Space Coast Daily News Brevard Countys Best Newspaper. For the last eight years, Lightsey has watched a female panther and her twins in his citrus grove on Tiger Lake Ranch. Now the success of our conservation efforts is meeting the barriers of habitat, traffic, and colliding with the human population, Fleming said. According to the U.S. The last documented sighting of a Florida Panther in the Volusia County area was also near Ormond Beach, in February 2008. . The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has documented males as far north as Georgia. She is now a general assignment reporter. Patrick AFB . Introducing the female Texas pumas into the population increased panther numbers, genetic diversity, and survival rates, said David Shindle, Florida panther recovery coordinator for the U.S. Florida panthers prefer a dense understory of vegetation where . Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. In 2017, 30 Florida panthers perished on Florida roads including a 3-year-old male panther that was struck and killed on Interstate 4 in Polk County. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We want to make sure we handle everything correctly.. A total of 1,537 Florida panther sightings were reported as of June 2014, of which 275 have been verified as panthers based on photos of the animal or its footprints. Shore said it is up to the individual to report panther activity, whether it is to the state, his office or Tribe department heads. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until SAT 7:00 PM EST, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Waccholtz in 2003, Two top members of Latin Kings arrested in Hillsborough County, sheriff says, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, Pasco County school district considering cell phone ban, Lakeland self-proclaimed rapper arrested for murder made music video about deadly shooting: sheriff, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in Skyway Bridge accident, company says, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, 8-year-old girl who performed solo wins big in cheer competition after team didn't show up, From Coconut Road to Moose Tracks, here's the scoop on how Publix creates its ice cream, North Port brush fire: Roads reopen after fire forces closures on I-75; schools evacuate as precaution. And the FWC has a page that helps explain the difference between panthers and bobcats. As John Molnar snapped the picture, Barby said she went to get her phone in the other room. 4428 Heaton Park Trail, Rockledge US-FL 28.28585, -80.71205. . Before FWC weighed in, the Fernandez family was convinced it was a Florida panther, which the U.S. Department of the Interior listed as an endangered subspecies in 1967. These programs provide matching funding for landscape-scale conservation projects with other governmental and non-profit organizations. Florida panthers are carnivores, which means they only eat meat. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) panther biologists estimate there are 100-160 adults and yearlings in Florida. Enhancing conservation corridors could provide protected habitat for 74 federally and state listed threatened and endangered species and many other species of native wildlife. In recent years, Florida panther activity has been confirmed in the Avon Park Air Force Range, east of Frostproof, and at Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, east of Haines City. That will be particularly important for animals like the panther. 1 Mar 2023. The Caloosahatchee River flows west from Lake Okeechobee to Fort Myers and cuts the state in half, which discourages panthers from crossing to the north. Researchers and designers with the Florida Department of Transportation, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Florida are modeling future roadway crossings for panthers to be able to expand north. The legislation provides some funding to purchase conservation easements or to acquire land. Why would anyone celebrate snakes? we do have panthers here in Florida obviously. Looking for female companionship, the long-distance travelers keep moving, eating on the run. Coyotes have spread across North America, and this is due to a lot of reasons (including) changing landscapes due to agricultural practices and the removal of wolves from many areas, which really kept coyotes in check, Main said. As of 9 March 2022, we have 14 confirmed cases (10 bobcats and 4 panthers). Its up to the individual. [Zoom in and click on the icons below to see coyote sightings reported across all 10 Central Florida counties.]. Another difference between the bobcat and the panther is that the panther is much larger - up to four times larger than the bobcat. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Argenis Fernandez said he hopes it is a sign that the recovery efforts are increasing the population. I think its a rare and beautiful sighting even though I didnt get to actually see it in person. One of those was a 2-year-old that was struck by a car in rural Hillsborough County.It's been at least eight years since one was found dead in that county, where panther sightings are rare. The panther prowling in South Lakeland is actually the second sighting this month, but the other one was not seen alive. Conservation groups have been working to preserve natural land across the state, so panthers and other wildlife have protected places to live and thrive. Its part of Florida and I dont want to lose it.. They den in the parks. When the kittens lose their spots, they leave. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - One local man said he saw what he believed to be a Florida Panther get hit by a truck on Highway 98 in Panama City Beach last Saturday. The track was discovered by retired state wildlife officer Earlie Sullivan. Yet new subdivisions generate more roads and highways. Currently, Florida Department of Transportation is building the Western Green Swamp crossing east of I-4 and SR 557, to be finished next year. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. 1:29. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission panther biologists have since confirmed that the animal was not in fact a panther. Florida panthers, a subspecies of the North American cougar, and there are less than 200 left in the wild. Wiltz said Florida panthers in Central Florida are commonly seen in eastern Osceola County, in rural areas where they are known to walk along some of the roads and where they can be hit by vehicles. Panther Crossing signs were erected several years ago along State Road 60, east of Lake Wales, near a spot where a panther was killed by an automobile. Receive a detailed news briefing each morning and evening along with our Attractions Insider briefing on Fridays on our app, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Every time you kill a coyote, you change the whole dynamic of territoriality. Unlike some predators like bears and wolves, coyotes are highly adaptable and can live in proximity with people, including in dense urban areas. He added that area of Conroy Road is not known for Florida panther sightings, and big cats like that would need a large area to hunt. In the last three, three-and-half years (coyote activity) really got heavy, said Meredith, who lives in nearby Satellite Beach. Bobcat sitting on the side of the road at Myakka River State Park, just east of Sarasota, Fla. Florida panthers are classified as an endangered species under the federalEndangered Species Act of 1973. July 16 is World Snake Day, and Florida is a great place to celebrate. On that same night, a home security camera captured another one of her cats being chased off by a coyote. and the threat of development. While the number of animals exhibiting these symptoms is relatively few, we are increasing monitoring efforts to determine the full scope of the issue. said Gil McRae, director of FWCs Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. I want to stay family ranchers, and my whole family feels the same way.. Its part of the balance of nature, he said. Florida's recovery goal is to achieve viability of the Florida panther to a point where it can be reclassified from endangered to threatened. ABOVE VIDEO:Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists released two endangered Florida panthers in 2013, a brother and sister that they rescued as kittens about one and a half years earlier. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - One local man said he saw what he believed to be a Florida Panther get hit by a truck on Highway 98 in Panama City Beach last Saturday. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Sort by. while it would be rare to have a . (Brevard co.) species 71. Federal, state and conservation lands will protect them as the habitat is managed for wildlife. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until SAT 7:00 PM EST, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, Pasco County school district considering cell phone ban, Lakeland self-proclaimed rapper arrested for murder made music video about deadly shooting: sheriff, One month ago, Harriet the eagle disappeared from her famous Florida nest, Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off its sweet tradition in Plant City, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in Skyway Bridge accident, company says, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, 8-year-old girl who performed solo wins big in cheer competition after team didn't show up, From Coconut Road to Moose Tracks, here's the scoop on how Publix creates its ice cream, North Port brush fire: Roads reopen after fire forces closures on I-75; schools evacuate as precaution. The Tribe cooperates with the state panther programs but does not require panther reports, he said. Protect their habitats and observe panther crossing signs and road laws. Panthers, historically, roamed the entire southeastern United States. Panama City man charged with DUI after hitting SRO with car, Judge sets bond for 76-year-old woman accused of killing terminally ill husband, Man facing more charges after arrest on active warrants in Jackson County, Chipley falls in title game, South Walton beats Walton on the baseball diamond, Arnold falls on softball diamond, https://app.myfwc.com/LE/WildlifeAlert/Default.aspx. People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. And, you know, we got a lot of water and woods out here, deer, turkey and other prey animals. Simmons said he nor his staff have seen evidence that the endangered Florida panthers are using the Tribes lands. In the past two years FWC officials say they have received 1,537 reports of panther sightings, 275 of which have been verified. Hunting nearly eliminated them; genetic defects affected their health and survival. By the time Darrell Land began working for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as a panther researcher in 1985, scientists were starting to understand two important facts . Many of the 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. A truck coming the other way hit it, ran over it with the back tire, Witness David Demarest said. January 30, 2023 Space Coast Daily News Brevard Countys Best Newspaper, College Cant Wait! Panthers could be making a comeback in Central Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says its the ninth panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of 14 total deaths this year. One of those was a 2-year-old that was struck by a car in rural Hillsborough County. Despite its size, it could still be a domestic or stray cat. . Florida panthers are reclusive and normally live in remote, undeveloped areas. The panther prowling in South Lakeland is actually the second sighting this month, but the other one was not seen alive. UPDATE: FWC panther biologists have confirmed that this was NOT a Florida panther. Experts said panthers have been spotted this far north before, but development is infringing on the big cats habitat. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. If you see a sick, injured or dead Florida panther, you can report it online at https://app.myfwc.com/LE/WildlifeAlert/Default.aspx or call 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922). It's been at least eight years since one was found dead in that county, where panther sightings are rare. February 13, 2023 Space Coast Daily News Brevard Countys Best Newspaper, WATCH! An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The area is only a short distance from property owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, also north of I-4. Apply & Register TODAY for Spring 2023 Classes at Eastern Florida State College, HOT OFF THE PRESS! Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida Pen Building Assistance and Free-ranging Cattle Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Administration Livestock Indemnity Program, Florida Panther Safety Factsheet (English/Espaol) | U.S. (Photo: FWC). Okeechobee scores 3 in top of 9th to take 8-5 lead vs Dwyer in 7A regional SF. RELATED: Florida panther killed in Polk County marks 11 deaths since start of 2022 Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. "Panthers used to be there, and they could be there again," Ward said. Sign-upto get updates and stories from your state parks the first week of every month. BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA The public has reported hundreds of sightings of Florida panthers to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website launched a year ago, where people can record when and where they saw a panther or its tracks. Orlando December 11, 2022. "Mortalities from coyotes historically has been just a couple. Mottled Duck. Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. All the affected animals have exhibited some degree of walking abnormally or. The population has rebounded from an estimated low of 10 animals to over200 animals since it was put on the first Endangered species list in 1967. There have been many panther sightings in South Florida, mostly toward the west coast and in the Everglades, according to an FWC sightings map.. Thats why, when a camera captured a female panther in 2017 leading her kittens north of the Caloosahatchee River -- for the first time in more than 40 years -- it was considered a milestone. Dozens of residents of College Park met with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commissioners Tuesday after a recent increase in coyote sightings. Carol Carpenter has lived in Ormond-by-the-Sea since 1995 but did not see any coyotes in that part of Volusia County until about two years ago. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. He used the proportions of the video to estimate it was 3 to 4 feet long. As the population of this endangered species grows, the FWC expects more Florida panthers to be seen in areas of the state where they have not lived for decades, Land said. Files less than 10MB can be uploaded to our panther sighting webpage atMyFWC.com/PantherSightings. State land acquisition programs such as Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program preserve panther habitat through conservation easements. Wiltz said it was hard to tell in the photo whether the cat had pointed ears, which are characteristic of bobcats, or whether the cat's cheeks were white, which is characteristic of panthers. POLK CITY A Florida panther track was confirmed in late August north of Interstate 4 near tiny Polk City, which calls itself the Gateway To The Green Swamp. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials said the panther is the first in decades proven to roam that far north in Polk. The new wildlife crossing at I-4 and State Road 557 in Polk County is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2023, at a cost of $8-$10 million. He said it's likely a bobcat. Panthers need large, connected areas with suitable food to survive. Shindle said the goal is to have a viable population that can survive on its own and eventually recover to the point it can be removed from the Endangered Species List. FDOT said the wildlife corridor will help protect panthers as well as drivers. In fact, very few people ever come out here, except on our fun days. Seeing aFlorida pantheris a memorable experience. FWC Officials said the only information they can give WJHG about the incident is that it was not a panther. Although they are rarely seen in Central Florida, they occasionally roam north of their South Florida territory. Are panther sightings common in Bay County? For decades, the few remaining Florida panthers were found only in the isolated swamps near the south tip of the Sunshine State. Although they are rarely seen in Central . So far, surveillance by FWC officials has indicated that only males have made it past the river. State wildlife experts estimate there are less than 200 adult Florida panthers in the wild. The year before: 22. Experts said panthers prefer areas with dense trees and shrubs they can hide in, and the cats typically move around after dark. That means they are rarely seen by people. Susan Petracco. That is what everyone is striving for, said Mark Lotz, a FWC panther biologist, he has worked on the panther recovery team for 27 years, dealing extensively with landowners. The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. Even though coyotes have been known to chase small children, Main said attacks on humans are extremely rare. Regardless of whether she saw a bobcat or panther, Molnar said, I wouldve enjoyed seeing either species., Barby Molnar shared this picture on social media of a large wild cat that she and her husband, John, think is a Florida panther. Increasing the range and size of the population is the progress of recovery, Shindle said. According to FWC, its rare to see one of these endangered cats in Northwest Florida. When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, FWC will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation. Since the 1980s when panther numbers were estimated at less than 30, sightings were recorded and confirmed in Polk and as far north as Flagler County, north of Daytona Beach, and in Volusia, Orange, Brevard and Highlands counties, indicating a continuing dispersal from South Florida. Projects in the design phase awaiting construction funds are the I-4 wildlife overpass and SR 33 at Saddle Creek, US 27 near Lake Livingston, and the US 27 Venus Wildlife crossing. Everyone voted for it, he said. An endangered species is an animal or plant that is at risk of extinction. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). The Services Shindle, when he does outreach presentations, tells folks to find common ground. A daytime photo shows a Florida panther . That feline, named Geo, managed to escape. Panthers need a lot of space. And very little commotion, no cars going by. It can be done with the green infrastructure that we have, said Elizabeth Fleming, Senior Florida Representative for Defenders of Wildlife. March 2, 2023 / 7:25 AM / CBS Miami. Without that intervention, the kittens likely would have died a short time later. We thank everyone using the Report Florida Panther Sightings website and encourage others to participate in this citizen-science venture.. Nuisance Alligator Hotline: 866-FWC-GATOR. We need to protect the panther. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill. . Most often the reported animal or tracks belonged to a bobcat, when it was not a panther. MORE: Wildlife crossings over I-4 could help save the Florida panther. Yeah, I heard about it, but Im not surprised, said Paul Simmons, Tampa maintenance manager. Panther track spotted near Tribes Lakeland property. Suddenly a coyote comes walking up my front steps and attacks the cat. Further proof was found in photos from a nearby motion-tripped camera that captured a panther image. Download it here. I dont want it to be developed, ever, he said. Everything you need to know about the next launch and detailed coverage on space missions. Males claim 200-square-mile territories and will sometimes fight other males to death if their territories overlap. Eight female panthers were brought in from Texas in the 1990s and released in Florida to breed. January 16, 2023 Space Coast Daily News Brevard Countys Best Newspaper. He noted that 58,000 people had moved into the county in just the last year and development follows right behind them. ORLANDO -- A Brevard County man has been arrested after he allegedly killed his teen daughter, former girlfriend and two others in a home near Cocoa, law . More than 5,000 people statewide have contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to report coyote sightings over the past four years, including complaints of pets being killed by coyotes. If it truly is a panther, this young one is passing through, he commented. Female panthers have been documented only in South Florida, whichis where all known breeding occurs. I think its sort of like seeing an alligator in a lake. Apply & Register TODAY for Spring 2023 Classes at Eastern Florida State College, HOT OFF THE PRESS! Sightings. In the 1970s, only about 20 Florida panthers remained in the wild, but now experts believe there are around 200. Someone sent him a video of a possible panther on a game camera several years back, but it turned out to be a bobcat. Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. Spectrum News 13 shared the Molnars's photo with Dr. K. Simba Wiltz, the CEO at Central Florida Animal Reserve. Weve noticed a big spike in Have you seen my cat? posters everywhere.. An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. It is extremely rare to spot a panther in the wild in Florida, as fewer than 200 of them exist across the state with the majority living in south Florida. It worked. Workman shared a link on how to identify a panther and another link of panther sightings in Florida. Additionally, trail camera footage has captured eight panthers (mostly kittens) and one adult bobcat displaying varying degrees of this condition. He adds, though, that there have been fewer complaints in recent years and instances of human-panther interactions have been infrequent. We have had great success, resulting in a much healthier, growing population. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Greg Workman said that both he and an FWC biologist think the Molnars' photo captured a bobcat. To save the panther, you need to save the rancher," he said. From what Ive always heard, its extremely rare for panthers or cougars to attack humans.. by Cass Anderson March 30, 2022 10:01 am. A panther, crossing a side road east of Fort Meade, was hit by a car last April and is in recovery.