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Reward offered for information about head removed from panther carcass

12/18/09

News Release

Reward offered for information on headless panther

November 20, 2009
Contact: Joy Hill, 352-732-1225 or 352-258-3426

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking information about a decapitated panther carcass found along the Florida Turnpike near the Osceola and Indian River county line Thursday. Anyone with information can call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922; they can remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward if their information leads to an arrest.

FWC officers responded to a report of the dead panther about 2 p.m. Thursday. The carcass was on the shoulder of the road on the southbound side of the turnpike in the southernmost portion of Osceola County, near Yeehaw Junction.

"The partially decomposed remains appear to be that of an endangered Florida panther," said FWC Lt. Rick Brown. "It also appears someone cut off the head.  We encourage anyone who knows anything about this to call Wildlife Alert as soon as possible."

Reward offered for information on illegally shot panther

6/18/09

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Find out how you can help injured panthers return to the wild

5/28/09

A fund was established by The Wildlife Foundation of Florida (WFF) to aid in the recovery of injured or orphaned Florida panthers as well as other panther conservation needs. The Florida Panther Fund is an important resource that will give the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) flexibility to deal with rare, unplanned and non-budgeted events. The mission of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc., is to provide assistance, funding, and promotional support for the FWC, and in so doing, contribute to the health and well-being of Florida's fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. You can visit their website at www.wildlifefoundationofflorida.com.

Anyone can donate to this fund. Checks should be made payable to Wildlife Foundation of Florida and mailed to Post Office Box 11010, Tallahassee, FL 32302. Checks should be earmarked "Florida Panther Fund." The WFF is a not-for-profit organization [IRS 501(c)(3)], and is a State of Florida Tax Exempt organization.

Florida panther research is funded through the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. This fund receives its monies from your purchase of Florida panther specialty license plates. Eighty-five percent of the proceeds from the extra $25.00 collected annually go into this Trust Fund. However, to obtain the money, the FWC must submit a budget request each year to the Florida Legislature for approval. Caring for injured or orphaned panthers is not something that can be planned or budgeted for on an annual basis and that's why this fund created, by WFF, is so beneficial. The money goes directly to help panthers and can be used when needed.

The costs associated with panther care varies from as little as $400 per month to care for 3 young kittens recently orphaned after the death of their mother, to as much as $3000 per month to repair the broken leg of Florida Panther 65. You can rest assured knowing that your donation to this fund will help save the Florida panther.

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