Summary

An experimental plan to restore historic Florida panther genetic variation and health was implemented in March 1995. This plan involved the translocation of eight female West Texas cougars into selected areas of the current panther range in South Florida. The immediate objective of these releases was for these female cougars to survive, mate with resident males and produce at least two F1 offspring recruited as breeders into the population. The long-range objective of this experimental management action is to achieve a significant level of genetic restoration in the population by the time F2 offspring recruit as breeders (6 -8 years). The effects of inbreeding related genetic depression will have begun reversing as historic variation is achieved. A thorough evaluation of this experimental action would serve as a basis for designing a “Genetic Management Plan” to continue management of the genetic health and recovery of the Florida panther.

Six of the original eight female cougars still survive, and it is confirmed that at least 15 F1 kittens, in 9 litters, and 1 F2 litter have now been produced. Sufficient data have been gathered during the monitoring of these animals, to date, to make it both possible and prudent to conduct an evaluation of current results as a planning tool for the final evaluation of this experimental management action. Therefore, a review Population and Habitat Viability Analysis (PHVA) was needed to assess the relative status of this endangered population and to evaluate the effectiveness of current efforts to prevent its extinction. The previous PHVA was completed in 1989. To address these and other concerns affecting the conservation of the Florida panther, a second PHVA workshop was convened 8-11 June 1999 in Gainesville, Florida, facilitated by the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG).