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FLORiDA COUGAR critically endangered   All pictures connect to links related to the Florida Cougar

  The Florida cougar,Puma concolor coryi, is now classified as a critically endangered species that lives within the low tides, palm forests,pinelands and swamps in the state of Florida. Other names for this florida cougar include the mountain lion, puma, and the catamount. The cougar is a carnivore who eats its favorite meal off of the white-tailed deer. Other food sources for this cougar are birds, raccoons, armadillos, and any other small prey.

 The impact of the large decrease of the Florida cougar is us as humans because in Florida panthers are killed by cars and trucks, mostly on State Road 29 and Alligator Alley (I-75). There are also many panther hunters even though it is not allowed about law. Another key point to the decline in the panthers are their huge numbers in health problems. Most of the health problems relate to their poor habitat conditions and genetic defects. Near the southern parts of Florida where many of these cougars live they are contaminated with mercury by eating raccoons high in mercury. It was also hunted as game in the 50's. The panthers main impacts for decline are environmental contaminants, motor vehicle collisions, prey scarcity, and immune deficiencies.   This graph shows the increase of Florida cougars being killed, causing a dramatic decrease in population for the Mountain lions. .

 Efforts that are being contributed to the Florida Cougars will need to include conserving wild lands across Florida and on private areas. Another major conservation challenge for the panther is reestablishing the species in other portions of its historic range. Field studies have indicated an adequate prey base and appropriate habitat in some areas of its historic range in the Southeast. While there is widespread popular support for panther reintroduction in Florida, some people are still concerned about introducing the cat to new areas, fearing the panther will bring with it restrictions on private property uses and potential interactions with livestock, pets, or human safety. Addressing public concerns will be important to any efforts to reintroduce these elusive cats. Conservations also include making more aware to other people what these Florida cougars are going through. Projections for the future include that these animals will be come extinct due to unstable conservations that are very difficult to fulfill. Organization working on this issue intensely are Peace, River Refuge and Ranch.  