TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – People passionate about protecting the Florida panther can proudly show their support on their vehicles with a new ‘Protect the Panther’ license plate.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says the new design features a photograph taken by Carlton Ward Jr. in 2018. The FWC says the photo shows the first female documented to have had cubs north of the Caloosahatchee River in over 40 years.
“The Caloosahatchee River has long appeared to be an obstacle to the natural expansion of the population, including the northward movement of female panthers,” said the FWC in a news release.
The FWC says panthers are native to the state. Most are found south of Lake Okeechobee. Florida panthers are listed as an Endangered Species with fewer than 230 adult panthers in the population.
Ward is a celebrated National Geographic photographer. He was the keynote speaker in November for Horse Farms Forever’s annual conservation summit.
The new license plate can be purchased at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) or at local tax collection offices.
Fees from the license plate go directly to the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund, which supports the state’s panther-related research, monitoring and conservation efforts.
The FWC says motorists can also help protect the panther by following posted speed limits in panther zones. These are areas in south Florida where panthers are known to cross.
The FWC says vehicle collisions are the primary cause of panther deaths in the state. So far this year, FWC has logged 13 panther deaths – all due to accidents with vehicles.
To learn more about Florida panthers and the FWC’s work to conserve the species, visit the FWC website.