Panther shot in Georgia came from Florida (Very rare Florida Panther shot in Georgia)

www.ajc.com ^ | 8/6/09 | Steve Visser

[Bulldawg Fan]

The panther a hunter shot last year in Troup County was a Florida panther which likely wandered north, officials said Wednesday after genetic testing showed it was a federally protected animal.

A deer hunter last November shot the panther when he observed the cat from his tree stand.

Genetic testing by the National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, indicated that the panther came from a resident southern Florida population, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced.

The hunter reported the killing to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and has not been charged in the case.

Authorities took the animal to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study in Athens where an examination revealed the cat had been in excellent nutritional condition. Because panthers had not been documented in Georgia for years, authorities initially suspected the animal escaped from captivity but now they believe the young male had wandered from Florida in search of his own hunting territory.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the case because the Florida panther is a federally protected species. The cats once ranged throughout the southeastern United States but now the population is estimated to be limited to 100 to 120 panthers in south Florida — less than five percent of the historic range.

[Bulldawg Fan]

I am told the hunter felt threatened by the cat, no further details. What I dont understand is how he felt threatened in his tree stand since these cats normally run away when they encounter people, unless they are cornered.

Florida Panthers originally roamed from Arkansas to South Carolina and Tennessee to Florida. Now the males sometimes venture into central Florida and beyond while females have never been found north of southern Florida, in the modern era.

Estimates are that around 100 survive in the wild, so losing any is devestating to the population as a whole.

[mkjessup]

That panther should have stayed in Florida, nothing good ever comes out of Georgia.

Q - Why does the St John’s River flow north?

A - ‘Cause Georgia just SUCKS!

LOL

[GeronL]

Florida Panther killed in gangland slaughter? Was he a reciever or a running back?

oh, its a four-legged critter?

never mind

[HiTech RedNeck]

Not being an expert on cats, he probably figured that this one, like our domestic cats, would gladly climb a tree. It wasn’t supposed to be there and he wasn’t expecting any.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Now, now, they do grow pretty good peaches.

[definitelynotaliberal]

Good to know that they run away when they encounter people. Thanks for taking the time to post this. I also feel very sorry that this poor animal was shot.

[ColdSteelTalon]

The hunter that shot the panther is in big trouble I think.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Panthers can climb trees. The hunter might have been or felt threatened.

[mazda77]

If you have never seen one, how in the hell is one supposed to know what it is?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Sounds to me that they are more concerned to learn how the cat got there than about what the hunter did. It’s his word against... no witnesses.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Lots of people go into the woods who really shouldn’t!

[mkjessup]

Oh, I forgot the obligatory GO GATORS!!!!

LOL

[Sherman Logan]

So the appropriate thing to do when one sees something unusual is to immediately shoot it?

[Tarpon]

Not hard to understand, the Florida panther is no pretty little kitty. They can be aggressive and run really fast. I have seen many over the years.

They run between knee high to waist high to a man. Some get quite large, all have really big teeth and claws. It's a shame they are so threaten in Florida, they are beautiful beasts, but understandable why people when they come across one instinctively the fight or flight triggers. And running isn't usually an option. After you get over the 'crap do you see how fast it's running' ... The options narrow quickly.

I think they used to range up through the Okefenokee swamp area. They have little respect for State lines ---

[Rebelbase]

Years ago a girlfriend’s parents had a small spread in a rural area of central FL and would see a panther on the property once every couple of years.

[mkjessup]

Now, now, they do grow pretty good peaches.

Yes, some of those sweet Georgia peaches are quite nice. ;)

Sit down Symthia McNinney, I ain't talkin' bout YOU!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well, I hope that hunters in the area are alerted to watch for these kitties. Would one be dissuaded from attack by pepper spray?

[Raider Sam]

I didnt know the south took hockey that seriously

[Naspino]

Give us our water back or all panthers roaming in to Georgia will meet the same fate.