Florida Panthers Return Spells Doom for Gladesmen

[Swamp Hunter]

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2014/08/florida_panthers_ret...

[Swamp Hunter]

Im not planning on commenting just posting the story from Miami New Times.  http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2014/08/florida_panthers_ret...

[M.A.P.]

Very disturbing - dare I say irresponsible - article. There has never been a credible attack on a human by a panther, in 100+ years. Only a despicable, ignorant person - not a real Gladesmen - would justify, much less encourage, killing panthers for some asinine perceived threat. These so-called Gladesmen are doomed by their own stupidity.  

[Swamp Hunter]

 There has never been a credible attack on a human by a panther, in 100+ years.

I know of at least 2 attacks but no one will care until someone is killed and maybe nobody will care then. Its kill or be killed in the animal world.  Its a chance we had to take to save a beautiful animal.    I dont agree that the panther is a pest, but its a well known fact that the area is now over saturated with cougars.  I said I wouldnt comment but I couldnt help myself.   Thank you for your opinion.

[M.A.P.]

Dale, don't you think the area is oversaturated with people? We keep encroaching into their habitat, then we consider them nuisance species or certain individuals to be "problem animals." It's happening with the Florida black bear too.

[Swamp Hunter]

Yes absolutely South Florida is definitely over saturated with people. There is not enough habitat or food to support the recent rapid increase in population of cougars. IMO if it wasnt for the Florida Panther, areas such as the Panther Preserve, Dinner Island and OK Slough would not have been created. Maybe a female will finally take the plunge and mate with the males that have crossed the Caloosahatchee River and wandered all the way to Georgia, establish new populations and the Florida Panther can be taken off the endangered species list.

 Nature will take its course and I think eventually predator/prey populations will balance out.  In the meantime, we may have a dangerous situation. Bears not so dangerous.

 

[Swamp Hunter]

I realize its a touchy subject in South Florida but this is a partial list of fatal cougar attacks in North America from Wiki. Although cougar attacks are rare, they can be fatal. Turkey hunters are particularly at risk as panthers are attracted to turkey calls and they will stalk decoys. 

This is an incomplete list which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. Notice how many are children. Whatever you do, look tall, keep direct eye contact, dont run, fight back if necessary and never play dead to a panther.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_cougar_attacks_in_North_...