Florida Panthers, Bears and Biologists, Oh My!

Keeping up with Florida’s elusive panther and black bear populations is no easy feat, but it’s a job state wildlife officials say local residents can help out with.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been enlisting help from “citizen scientists” for quite some time in helping track black bear and Florida panther populations. Through two separate online reporting portals, residents throughout the state are able to let wildlife officials know when and where they’ve spotted a panther or bear. This data is used by biologists to track populations and also determine what parts of the state provide the best habitat for these animals.

“Someone’s excitement about seeing a Florida panther or black bear may translate into important scientific information if that sighting is reported to the FWC,” explained Carol Knox, the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management section leader, in a media release on the tracking program.

The state began its online public reporting of panther sightings back in August 2012. A separate reporting form for black bears went online in October 2013.

So far, a total of 1,537 Florida panther sightings have been recorded. The number of black bear sightings stood at 2,257 as of June. Not all sightings have been verified.

Those reports are providing valuable to biologists, state officials say. One report, for example, enabled biologists to confirm a panther sighting near the Green Swamp in central Florida. Most verified panther sightings to date have been in southwest Florida.

While the state wants to hear about sightings, it also wants residents to stay safe. That’s why its two reporting portals also include information on what to do and what not to do if a bear or panther is sighted.

To report a panther sighting, visit the FWC online. Bear sightings can be logged here.

What’s the coolest animal you’ve seen in the wild in Florida? Tell us by commenting below!

Photo Credit: A Florida panther basks in the sun. Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.