Vehicle Strike Kills 16th Florida Panther This Year in Hendry County

A car struck and killed a 5-and-a-half-year-old male Florida panther in Hendry County. This marks the 16th death so far in 2025, according to the Gulf Coast News Now. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission retrieved the body on Wednesday along Country Road 833, just 0.2 miles north of Country Road 832.

Officials tagged the animal as UCFP493. Cars have caused 15 of these 16 deaths. The other resulted from intraspecific aggression.

Collier County has recorded seven deaths in 2025, topping all counties. Hendry County follows with six. On Aug. 10, 2025, two sister kittens were discovered dead on Davis Boulevard in Collier County — both hit by vehicles.

This year's toll runs far below 2024's numbers at this point. By Dec. 4, 2024, 32 panthers had perished compared to 16 now. The 2024 total reached 36 deaths when the year ended, with 29 from cars, one from a train, two from predation, and four from unknown causes.

Hendry County has witnessed 82 deaths since tracking began in 2014. The worst year was 2018, with 12 panthers dying in that county alone.

The commission finished its first enrollment period for the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Program in September. Sixty-nine applications came in, covering more than 172,000 acres across 14 counties. Only 59 qualified. Landowners receive per-acre payments when they provide habitat conditions that help conservation and connectivity.

The commission asks drivers to reduce speed and obey posted limits in designated zones throughout South Florida. These zones indicate where the animals cross roads.

Residents can help by purchasing a "Protect the Panther" license plate. Sales fees fund most research and management work for the species.

Anyone who sees an injured, sick, or dead animal should call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC. Biologists gather valuable information from remains and can assist injured animals when notified promptly.