$15,000 reward offered to find who shot and killed Florida panther

A female Florida panther was shot and killed in April in Hendry County, and wildlife officials are still trying to find out whodunit. State and federal investigators treat the crime just like a murder mystery, according to the St. Petersburg Times. (Hi, Craig Pittman!) Groups have now come forward with reward money -- $15,000 worth -- to find the killer.

It has been illegal to shoot a panther in Florida since 1958, the article said.

Florida panthers are highly endangered, with only about 100 of them living in the state.

Could I have seen a Florida panther?

A reader writes:

"Hello, Are there Florida panthers in central-western Florida? I live in Tampa in a very woodsy area and spotted a panther. I know it may not sound believable, but it was around 8 pm and still bright out. It was in plain sight, and we had a few minutes of staring at each other before my barking dog scared it off. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks, Marsha"

Most of the time when people think they see a panther, they really see a bobcat, experts say. That's because there are fewer than 100 Florida panthers living in the state, and most of them are in southwestern Florida. However, even though it's not likely, it's possible you saw a panther. Florida panthers have been known to cross I-4. Some residents as far north as Daytona Beach think they have seen a panther around. Panthers can roam quite far.

Visit the News-Press Web site to track collared Florida panthers.

Florida panther tracking collars give insight into life, death

Tracking collars help Florida panther researchers keep an eye on individual panthers and the population as a whole. And when you use collar-tracking information to look at the panthers' movements across the state, it's even more telling, according to this article in the News-Press. Read the article to learn the history of panthers in Florida and also the almost soap-opera-like lives panthers lead. No, really!

I should add the News-Press -- in Florida panther territory in southwestern Florida -- has a great section on its Web site all about Florida panthers. Here, you can track the panthers for yourself (really cool!), see Florida panther photos, read articles and learn about births and deaths in the Florida panther population.

Second panther killed by car in Miami-Dade County

For the second time in just over a year, an endangered Florida panther has died on a southern Miami-Dade road; the cat -- found Wednesday along the 18-mile stretch to the Florida Keys about a half-mile south of Card Sound Road -- was the eighth killed on Florida roads this year - May 11, Miami Herald

Panther deaths bring this year's total to 8

A 2-year-old panther became the eighth to die this year after being plowed over on Interstate 75 in south Lee County late last week - April 2, Naples Daily News

Panther hit on I-4 roamed far from home

The Florida panther found dead Wednesday on Interstate 4 was thought to be one of the famed "leaping kittens" captured on film during its youth in one of the most beloved wildlife photographs of the rare breed - March 22, Orlando Sentinel

Wildlife officials say panther concern should mean end of road for bypass

State and federal wildlife officials are urging transportation planners not to move forward with a business-friendly — but ecosystem-damaging — bypass road around Immokalee - Jan. 31, Naples Daily News

Florida panther killed by car sets new record

A Florida panther was killed when hit by a vehicle on County Line Road just off Immokalee Road this morning, the 11th panther, the most in a year, to die on the roads this year - Dec. 12, Naples Daily News

Florida panthers threatened as development takes over habitat

"The way we're building, we're going to push the panthers out" - Nov. 29, AP

Florida panther death toll reaches 10

A tenth Florida panther has been killed in a vehicle collision this year, tying a mark for the deadliest year on record for the big cats - Nov. 27, Naples Daily News

Brushes with Florida big cats on the rise

An encounter with panthers last spring by 22-year hunting guide Mark Clemons and his client, John Woods, may be the most alarming of all incidents documented by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Nov. 16, News-Press

Town hall to deal with Florida panther problems

Increasing encounters between endangered Florida panthers and people living in rural areas are posing enough concern to wildlife officials to hold a town-hall meeting on how to live with the big cats - Nov. 15, News-Press