title: Causes of mortality of free-ranging Florida panthers.
abstract: The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is one of the most endangered mammals, with the entire population estimated to consist of only 30-50 adult animals. Between 1978 and 1999, 73 free-ranging Florida panther carcasses were submitted for postmortem evaluation, of which 47 (64%) were radiocollared and 26 (36%) were uncollared cats. Overall, mortality of panthers > 6-mo-old was due to vehicular trauma in 25 (35%), intraspecific aggression in 19 (26%), illegal kill in seven (10%), research activities in two (3%), infectious diseases in two (3%), esophageal tear in one (1%), pleuritis in one (1%), pyothorax in one (1%), aortic aneurysm in one (1%), atrial septal defect in one (1%), and causes of death were undetermined in 13 (18%) due to autolysis. Of the 25 panthers that were killed by vehicular trauma, 20 (80%) died between October and April. This coincides with increased number of winter visitors to south Florida. Among radiocollared panthers, intraspecific aggression was the primary cause of mortality for 19 (41%) dead cats. Of these cats, 16 (84%) were males and 14 (88%) were either less than 3 or more than 8-yr-old. These animals were probably fighting to establish or retain territory. Among the 26 uncollared panthers, vehicular trauma was the primary cause of mortality and was responsible for 16 (62%) deaths. This study documents the causes of mortality and the age, sex, and seasonal mortality trends for both radiocollared and uncollared free-ranging endangered Florida panthers over a 21-yr-period.
authors.affiliation: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 4005 South Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601, USA. taylor.sharon@epa.gov
authors.forename: Sharon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Buergelt
authors.forename: Melody E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Roelke-Parker
authors.forename: Bruce L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.forename: Dave S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rotstein
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000367:Age Factors; D000374:Aggression; D000823:Animal Identification Systems; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D002335:Carnivora; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*