Florida Panther Population Saved By Texas Pumas# Animals - 动物园
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Florida Panther Population Saved By Texas Pumas
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2012/12/florida_panther_
Turns out that male Florida panthers think female Texas pumas are kinda hot,
because the once-endangered cat's population has been buoyed thanks to
mating with those Texas felines.
Back in 1995, eight female pumas were brought to Florida from Texas by
wildlife officials, in hopes that mating with the native cats would save
them.
Now, according to a new study from University of Florida scientists
published Monday in the Journal of Animal Ecology, it looks like a love
connection was definitely made.
According to the report, without those Texas pumas, there was a very good
chance the panther population in Florida would have dipped under 10 by 2010.
This would have led to inbreeding, which would eventually have led to full-
on extinction.
Loss of habitat, being road kill, and other factors have led to the
dwindling of the cats over the years. But, thanks to the special Florida
panther license plates -- which helped bring awareness to the situation --
and officials coming up with the idea of bringing over some lady Texas pumas
to hit it off with our male panthers, thinks are looking good for an animal
that might have otherwise been history.
Recent counts have the Florida panther population at 100 to 160. Not a great
number, but definitely better than 10 or none.
Nice job, lady Texas pumas!
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2012/12/florida_panther_
Turns out that male Florida panthers think female Texas pumas are kinda hot,
because the once-endangered cat's population has been buoyed thanks to
mating with those Texas felines.
Back in 1995, eight female pumas were brought to Florida from Texas by
wildlife officials, in hopes that mating with the native cats would save
them.
Now, according to a new study from University of Florida scientists
published Monday in the Journal of Animal Ecology, it looks like a love
connection was definitely made.
According to the report, without those Texas pumas, there was a very good
chance the panther population in Florida would have dipped under 10 by 2010.
This would have led to inbreeding, which would eventually have led to full-
on extinction.
Loss of habitat, being road kill, and other factors have led to the
dwindling of the cats over the years. But, thanks to the special Florida
panther license plates -- which helped bring awareness to the situation --
and officials coming up with the idea of bringing over some lady Texas pumas
to hit it off with our male panthers, thinks are looking good for an animal
that might have otherwise been history.
Recent counts have the Florida panther population at 100 to 160. Not a great
number, but definitely better than 10 or none.
Nice job, lady Texas pumas!
