TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has updated its “Panther Pulse” page with depredation information through April 9.

The agency reports that there have been eight documented deaths of panthers, all but two known to be victims of car collisions, so far in 2019. The cause of one death was unkown, and the other was a male that died in Hendry County due to “interspecific aggression.”

Meanwhile, a new litter of two females was reported in the Big Cypress National Preserve, Turner River Unit, and five depredations were recorded in Southwest Florida through April 4, involving two goats, a calf, a cow and a dog that survived an attack.

Panthers are a top predator and prey on a variety of wildlife such as deer, hogs, raccoons, armadillos and rabbits. Unfortunately, they sometimes prey on domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, calves and even pets. When a panther or other wild animal preys upon or injures a pet or domestic livestock it is called a depredation.

Depredation information can be viewed at: myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/panther/pulse/.

People can protect pets and other backyard animals from panthers and other predators by following the advice available at: myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/panther/living/.