Plan for Panthers

Last month, Florida panthers received a holiday gift from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: a plan to help the cats claw their way back from the brink of extinction. Defenders played a key role in the development of the long-awaited Florida Panther Recovery Plan -- and 34,000 Defenders activists spoke out for urgent action to save these fabulous felines.

Today, the only breeding panther population is in south Florida. And with only around 100 of these cats left, they're one of the most endangered mammals in the country. As development continues to encroach on their territory, panthers face increasing habitat loss, collisions with vehicles and other threats that put their future at risk. But with a comprehensive plan in place, federal and state officials, the public and Defenders and other conservation organizations can work together toward specific goals to eventually restore this magnificent animal to the wilds of Florida and the Southeast.

Learn more about Defenders' work to protect Florida panthers.