Florida Hopes Cougars Will Aid Panthers
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FAKAHATCHEE STRAND RESERVE, Fla. — Two female Texas cougars have been released in the Everglades in an effort to mate with Florida panthers and save them from extinction.
The Florida panther once inhabited much of the Southeast, but development and poachers isolated it from other mountain lions, like the cougar, and now only 30 to 50 remain.
As the population waned, inbreeding occurred, leading to genetic defects.
“Our objective is not to increase the population but to ensure the health of the Florida panther for the future,” said Tom Logan of Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
The two female cougars were released Thursday. Six more cougars, which are closely linked genetically to panthers, will be brought soon.
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