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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Information Key to FL Panther Survival

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Monday, March 15, 2010   

NAPLES, Fla. - There are only some 100 Florida panthers left in the state, and public awareness may be the key to their long-term survival. Organizations dedicated to saving Florida's official animal say public information concerning the Florida panther is an important element in protecting them.

Toward that end, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge and other conservation partners are teaming up for a series of events called "Save the Florida Panther Month." Elizabeth Fleming, Florida representative of Defenders of Wildlife, says car and truck accidents alone have really taken a toll on the panther population.

"The total population is estimated to be about 100 animals. So, if you lose 17, that's a tremendous, tremendous blow to the population there."

Fleming says educating the public to slow down in panther areas and stop development that cuts the panther off from its natural habitat are keys to the animal's survival in Florida.

Lisa Ostberg, president of the group Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, says the vehicle crashes and an increase in panthers killing other panthers both have roots in the same problem.

"It's a symptom of not having enough habitat that the vehicle collisions happen and the intraspecific aggression happens."

Ostberg says Florida has let development in wild areas get out of hand over the past 50 years and it's time to correct that.

"It needs to go back to being everglades, in the middle at least, so panthers and other wildlife can survive and thrive."

Ostberg says the panther is an umbrella species, meaning when we protect the panther, we also protect all the other animals that call their habitat home.

The highlight of the month will be the open house at the Florida Panther Refuge near Naples on "Save the Florida Panther Day," March 20, where special tours will be conducted and exhibit booths will be hosted by many state and local panther conservation groups.


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