Open Letters to Our Leaders

As a supporter of Defenders of Wildlife and our nation's most imperiled animals, I appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on the draft Florida Panther Recovery Plan. I am also a former Florida resident and am saddened by the increasing urbanization and loss of wildlife habitat in Florida.

I want to express my support for the recovery goals of protecting and expanding the southern Florida panther population and reintroducing panthers to sites within their historic range. Because Southwest Florida is among the fastest growing regions in the U.S., resulting in loss and fragmentation of remaining habitat, I strongly urge the Service to end any permitting of approvals of the panther's primary habitat. To assure survival of a healthy south Florida panther population, northern dispersal corridors to suitable habitat must be secured without delay.

Your efforts with private and public conservation partners to provide education and foster acceptance of the panther can ensure the survival of this cat that has held on after being pushed to the margins of its range.

Sincerely,