Florida PantherNational Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The National Wildlife Refuge SystemFor over a century, the NationalWildlife Refuge System has been thehidden jewel among our nation’s publiclands. Nearly a century after TheodoreRoosevelt’s 1903 Executive Orderestablished Pelican Island Refuge inFlorida, the System has grown tonearly 100 million acres and more than540 refuges and 3,000 waterfowlproduction areas in 50 states andseveral U.S. territories. The systemprovides sustenance for migratingwaterfowl and songbirds, open spacesfor elk and pronghorn antelope, andprotection for endangered species.Thissystem oflands isunmatchedanywherein theworld.

IntroductionFloridaPantherNationalWildlifeRefugewasestablishedin June1989 under the authority of theEndangered Species Act to protectthe Florida panther and its habitat.The refuge consists of 26,400 acresand is located within the heart of theBig Cypress Basin in southwestFlorida. The refuge encompasses thenorthern origin of the FakahatcheeStrand, the largest cypress strand inthe Big Cypress swamp. FloridaPanther Refuge is located 20 mileseast of Naples, Florida at thenorthwest corner of the intersectionof Alligator Alley (I-75) and StateRoad 29. The refuge is due west ofthe Big Cypress National Preserveand due north of Fakahatchee StrandState Preserve and Picayune StrandState Forest.

Florida PantherNational WildlifeRefuge is one ofover 540 NationalWildlife Refugesadministered bythe U.S. Fish andWildlife Service.The mission ofthe NationalWildlife RefugeSystem is toadminister anational networkof lands for theconservation,management, andwhereappropriate, therestoration offish, wildlife, andplant resourcesand their habitatswith the UnitedStates for thebenefit of presentand futuregenerations ofAmericans.

Cover: FloridaPanther, Pumaconcolor coryi; left:Clamshell orchid,Prosthechiacochleata, is a rareepiphytic orchidthat is found inseveral remoteswamps on theRefuge; right:Cypress forests area dominant habitattype that is floodedfor a majority ofthe year.

HistoryFor hundreds of years, toweringcypress trees up to 130 feet tall and25 feet in circumference dominatedthe landscape of what is now FloridaPanther National Wildlife Refuge.

By 1914 the areawas purchased bythe LeeTidewaterCypressCompany.Logging of thecypress started in1944 in responseto wartime needs.An average of1,000,000 boardfeet per week washarvested. Thetrees wereremoved from theswamp via

temporary railroads, which were builton roadbeds created by draglines.Many of these “tram roads” are stillvisible and are used by the staff toaccess remote areas of the refuge.The logging operations started in thesouth in what is now FakahatcheeStrand State Preserve, and movednorth through the refuge area.

By 1957, the last trees wereharvested. Destructive wildfiresfollowed the logging operations,further altering the habitat.Unfortunately, the harvest of thesemighty trees decimated associatedplant species such as the beautifulghost and cowhorn orchids. Slowlythe cypress swamps have recoveredas a new generation of cypressreplaces the fallen giants. Many ofthe logging scars on the landscapehave healed over the past fivedecades. Today, the only significantremaining stand of virgin cypresswithin the Big Cypress basin islocated in Audubon’s CorkscrewSwamp Sanctuary, 20 milesnorthwest of the refuge.

Top: wildfires havelong since been anatural part of thelandscape,however, droughtand humanintervention havehad severeimpacts; bottom:a green tree frogclings to a grassstem where it canrest until its nextmeal.

Immediately prior to refugeestablishment, the land was owned bythe Collier family and was primarilyused for private hunting leases andcattle grazing. A few home sites andhunting camps were located on theland. In 1989, the Service purchasedthe initial 24,300 acres from theCollier family for $10.3 milliondollars. In 1996, the refuge wasexpanded to 26,400 acres with theaddition of more Collier family landthrough the Arizona-Florida LandExchange Act of 1988.

Florida PanthersThe tawny Florida panther (Pumaconcolor coryi), is one of the mostendangered large mammals in theUnited States. The Florida pantherwas eliminated over much of itshistorical range by the late 1800’s byhuman persecution and habitatdestruction. By the time the pantherwas granted protection (State-1950;Federal-1967), the animal wasalready in danger of extinction. Asingle wild population in southernFlorida, estimated to contain 80-100adults, is all that remains of ananimal that once ranged throughoutmost of the southeastern UnitedStates. This remnant populationutilizes landscapes totalingapproximately 2,000,000 acres, abouthalf of which is in private ownership.

Top: the commongrass pink,Calopogontuberosus, is aterrestrial orchidthat flowers amongthe saw grassprairies; bottom:few people will eversee a Floridapanther, butidentifying apanther track is asure sign they arearound.

Florida panther, Puma concolor coryi, remains one of the mostendangered mammals in the world.

Top: less than two weeks old, these blue-eyed Florida pantherkittens are completely dependent on their mother for everyneed, bottom: slash pine, Refuge’s only pine species, towersover all other vegetation as the dominant upland habitat type.

Where do panthers live?Panthers establish very large homeranges and require habitats thatprovide protective cover for feedingand resting. Among the mostpreferred south Florida habitats arehardwood swamps and upland pineand oak hammock forests that alsoprovide cover and food for theirprimary prey — white-tailed deer,wild hogs and other small mammalssuch as raccoons, armadillos andrabbits. These types of habitat arefound on large, public-owned lands,such as the Florida Panther NationalWildlife Refuge, but also includenearby Big Cypress NationalPreserve, Fakahatchee Strand StatePreserve, Picayune Strand StateForest and large private ranches.Panthers generally avoid urban areasand intensively managed agriculturalareas.

What research is being done?Intensive radio-instrumentation andmonitoring was initiated in 1981 bythe Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission.Information from tracking radio-collared panthers helped determinepreferred habitat, home range size,dispersal behavior, and providedinformation on birth rates and causesof death. The research also indicatedthat the panther was suffering health

A curious white-tailed deer fawnand mother feed ontender shoots thatspring up justweeks after aprescribed fire inthe pines.

The much-renowned ghostorchid,Dendrophylaxlindenii, is one ofthree leaflessspecies at home inthe swamps; just acluster of epiphyticroots, except for agorgeous bloom inthe early summer.

and reproduction problems due toinbreeding. In 1995, eight femaleTexas cougars (Puma concolorstanleyanai),were relocated to southFlorida. These females bred withFlorida panther males, increasing thegenetic health of the pantherpopulation. Since 1995, the populationof Florida panthers has increasedfrom less than 50 to more than 80 dueto the influence of the Texas genes.The offspring of the Texas cougarsare considered to be Florida panthersand are protected under theEndangered Species Act.

What are the threats to panthers?The most profound and continuingthreat to their survival can be tracedto an increasing human population.As available habitat disappears dueto human development andconversion to agriculture, the catsare squeezed into smaller areas,resulting in increased intra-specificaggression, which is the leadingcause of panther mortality.

Additionally, more developmentmeans more roads and morepanthers killed by collisions withvehicles. Diseases, such as FelineLeukemia, a disease transmitted topanthers by domestic cats, also killthese magnificent animals.

Top: FemalePanther #78, withits eye reflectingthe remote cameraflash, leads its 2-month old kittendown a trail onenight (photo byRicky Pires);bottom: a femalebelted kingfisherroosts in a cypresstree at night, whenpanthers are mostactive.

Why is the Refuge important?The Refuge area has long beenknown as important Florida pantherhabitat. The Refuge is the core ofseveral cats’ home ranges, and alsofunctions as a travel corridor foranimals traveling between thenorthern regions of Big CypressNational Preserve and theFakahatchee Strand State Preserve.Female panthers routinely den andraise kittens on the Refuge. Eachmonth, five to eleven radio-collaredpanthers utilize the refuge.

Refuge HabitatsFlorida PantherNational WildlifeRefuge ischaracterized by

lush tropical vegetation. There areover 700 species of plants on theRefuge. Rare orchids, bromeliads,royal palms, and cypress intermixwith stands of oaks, cabbage palms,and gumbo limbo. Slash pine withsaw palmetto understory liesadjacent to wet prairies bloomingwith glades lobelia, tickseed andprairie milkweed. This diversity ofhabitats depends upon the seasonaldry and wet cycles that define thesouth Florida climate. Summerbrings daily rain showers that floodmuch of the refuge. The water slowlysheet-flows across the flat landscape.This water is not only the lifeblood ofthe refuge, but recharges theunderground aquifers that supply theRefuge’s urban neighbors. As thedays shorten, the daily rain showersdisappear, and for the next sixmonths, the wet prairies and swampsdry out.

Right and above:the epiphyticnight-fragrant andthe terrestrialmany-floweredgrass pink orchidsrepresentcontrasting swampand upland pinehabitats,respectively.

Habitats on theRefuge includedense undergrowthand brush idealfor panthers to restamong and maketheir dens.

WildlifeThe rich diversity of plant life on theRefuge is mirrored by its equallydiverse wildlife. Florida panther andblack bear prowl the forest while wildturkey and white-tailed deer foragein the hammocks, pinelands, andprairies. Tufted titmouse andnorthern parulas nest in the oakhammocks, as wood storks and otherwading birds utilize the seasonalwetlands for foraging. Pig frogsgrunt their chorus from the swampsand swallow-tailed kites soaroverhead. As night falls, barred owlssilently hunt for prey as bats diveafter the myriads of mosquitoes. Atotal of 126 bird species, 46 species ofreptiles and amphibians, 22 species ofmammals and a large variety of fishare found on the Refuge. Byprotecting habitat for the Floridapanther, we protect habitat and waterquality for the entire ecosystem. Thepanther is an umbrella species, ananimal that once protected, provideprotection for any other species thatlives within its umbrella-like range.

Top: looking like dancing black bears, these two are probablyjuveniles sparring with each other until the day when theybecome serious about territories (photo by Ricky Pires);below: a glossy ibis walks the shallows of a swamp probing forfood; bottom: a great egret, in breeding plumage, standsmajestically between feedings of small fish.

Habitat ManagementAll habitat management activities onthe Refuge benefit the Floridapanther and are intended to improve,restore, and maintain optimalconditions for the panther and theother plants and animals that dependon healthy native habitats.Prescribed burning and non-nativeplant removal are two of the mostimportant habitat managementtechniques.

Why do we burn the refuge?The Refuge staff utilizes fire tomaintain healthy native vegetationcommunities on the refuge. Fire isset under “prescribed” conditions.

These prescribedburns are onlyconducted if thewinds,temperature andhumidity arewithin adesignated rangeand the refugehas adequatestaff andequipment. Byconducting burnsunder particularconditions, thestaff can controlthe location,intensity, andduration of thefire. In Florida,fire is animportant part ofthe naturalecology of manyvegetationcommunities,such as pinelandsand wet prairies.

Fire is needed to maintain thesecommunities and prevent theencroachment of shrubs such as waxmyrtle and willows. Fire also reduceshazardous build up of debris and deadvegetation which can fuel wildfires.

Top: from ahelicopter aprescribed firemarches throughthe pines below,seldom killingmature trees butrecycling oldshrubbery into newgrowth for wildlife;bottom: a bobcat,often confused withthe larger Floridapanther, alsobenefits frommanagementconducted forpanthers.

Why do we remove non-nativeinvasive plants from the Refuge?As people moved into Florida, theybrought non-native plants with them.Some of these plants escapedcultivation and became established inthe natural areas of Florida. Several ofthe most prolific species are Brazilianpeppertree, Australian pine,Melaleuca, and old world climbing fern.These species are extremely invasiveand can limit or prevent native plantsfrom growing in natural areas.

Large acreages of these invasiveplants change the fire regime of thearea, reducing fire in some cases andincreasing its destructive effects inother circumstances. Non-nativeplants also degrade wildlife habitat.By removing these plants from theenvironment through the use ofmechanical removal, herbicides, orbiological means (e.g. release ofspecific insects that parasitize orconsume a specific plant species),vegetation communities are improvedfor wildlife.

Top: saw palmetto,Serenoa repens, isa native speciesthat can be harmedby encroachingexotic vegetation.Its berries are avaluable food sourcefor bears and deer;bottom: theAmerican alligator,once endangered, isa popular swampinhabitant.

Wood ducks,including thismale, aresometimes seen onponds and amongthe stands offlooded cypress.

What is the Native OrchidRestoration Project?Among the native plant species onthe Refuge are perhaps as many as45 species of orchids. Many species ofnative orchids have been decimatedby habitat destruction and illegalcollecting. Most of the species foundon the Refuge are rare and on theState endangered species list.

Orchids have sensitive and intricatelife history requirements. Refugestaff are working with scientists torestore orchid populations bycollecting seed pods and usingnaturally occurring fungus togerminate seeds. The germinatedseeds are then grown in climate-controlled labs and greenhouses,until transplanted to their naturalenvironment. The orchid restorationproject’s goal is to restore nativeorchids within their natural range onpublic lands in south Florida.

Above: the butterfly orchid, Encyclia tampensis, is one of themost common epiphytic orchids in the swamps. Below, top: incontrast, the Florida star orchid, Epidendrum floridense, isone of the rarest; middle: the cigar orchid, Cyrtopodiumpunctatum, is a rare orchid that once grew near the tops ofcypress trees prior to logging in the 40’s and 50’s. They arenow being reintroduced to the Refuge and elsewhere in southFlorida; bottom: Michaux’s orchid, Habenaria quinqueseta, iswidespread throughout the state.

Top: the endangered wood stork periodically nests on theRefuge when water in the swamps remains unusually highthroughout the winter months. Middle: the gray fox, also calledthe swamp fox, is a common but rarely seen mammal. Like thepanther and the bobcat, but much smaller, it is generally mostactive at night. Bottom: a radio-telemetry study in the early90’s indicated that the Florida black bear was popular on theRefuge and took advantage of the rich vegetative communitiesas its major food source.

Public UseOpportunitiesPublic access tothe refuge isvery limitedbecause variousoutdoorrecreationalactivities coulddisturb panthersand their prey,which would beinconsistent withthe refugepurpose ofprovidingoptimal pantherhabitat andprotection.

Hiking TrailsTwo hiking trails provide limitedpublic access to the Refuge. Thesetrails are located in an area thatreceives very little panther use. Thetrails are accessible from State Road29, approximately 0.25 miles north ofAlligator Alley (I-75).

The trail system consists of twoconcentric loop trails, including anunimproved 1.3 mile trail that isclosed seasonally due to flooding anda 0.3 mile improved trail that iswheelchair accessible. There is nocharge for use of the trails.

Top: look up oftenand you stand agood chance ofseeing the commonbarred owl; middle:use caution andkeep your distanceif you encounterthe seldom seeneasterndiamondbackrattlesnake.Remember thatthey are protectedtoo; bottom: theFlorida snappingturtle may be seennear water where itspends most of itstime.

Refuge HoursThe trails are openedduring daylight hoursonly. Contact theRefuge for currenttrail conditions.

Wildlife ObservationNature observationand photography areencouraged. Latewinter and spring areexcellent times tolook for the widevariety of wildflowersalong the trails. Inthe early morningand late afternoonhikers may see deerforaging in the wetprairie. A luckyobserver may catch aglimpse of a bear.Watch the ground forbobcat, bear and deertracks and the sky forred-shoulder hawks.

Top to bottom: the smallest of the heron species, the greenheron often hides among the dense wetland vegetation, but canoften be heard cackling when disturbed; with bright red legsand bill during the breeding season, a white ibis walks throughthe water picking up aquatic insects, frogs and small fish;common within ponds, water lilies share their affinity for sunalongside the American alligator.

Volunteering on the RefugeVolunteers are needed to help refugestaff with a variety of work projects.From routine office work, tomaintenance work around the fieldoffice, to exotic plant control, thereare jobs for all skill levels. For moreinformation, contact the Refuge.

The Friends of the Florida PantherRefuge, a non-profit organizationdedicated to the support of theRefuge and Florida panthers, utilizesvolunteers to help as tour guides on

the trails, assistwith variousrefuge projects,and as advocatesfor pantherprotectionthroughprograms suchas “Panthers andPavement,” aneducationaloutreachprogram to bringawareness todrivers to becareful whendriving inpanther territory.

The “FloridaPanther Posse” isa partnershipbetween theFriends of theFlorida Panther

Refuge, Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission and FloridaGulf Coast University’s “Wings ofHope” program. The Panther Posseeducates students (fourth, fifth andsixth graders in five southwestFlorida counties), teachers, and thecommunity about the endangeredFlorida panther. For more information,please contact the Refuge.

Totally dependenton shallowwetlands for theirsupply of fish,wood storks are asaffected by habitatloss as the Floridapanther.

Enjoying the RefugePlease use caution as you walk thetrails. Bring water, insect repellentand sunscreen. Please do not leavevaluables in your vehicle, and allowtime to return to your vehicle andleave the refuge before the entrancegate closes at sunset. All governmentproperty including natural, historic,and archaeological features areprotected by Federal Law. Do notpick flowers or other vegetation, orharass, capture or remove wildlife.

FirearmsFirearms are prohibited on theRefuge.

PetsPets of any kind are prohibited.

LitteringPlease do not litter. No trash barrelsare supplied by the Refuge, so youmust take any trash with you whenyou leave.

Vehicle AccessOff-road vehicles are not permittedon the trails.

BicyclesBicycles are prohibited on the refuge.

Administrative OfficeThe Refuge headquarters is locatedwithin the Comfort Inn at 3860Tollgate Boulevard, Suite 300,Naples, Florida, exit 101, off of I-75.

All photosUSFWS/LarryRichardson unlessotherwiseindicated.

Top: Floridapanther; below:various species offerns provide alush green foliagethroughout theRefuge swamps.

29

29

I-75 I-75

Florida PantherNational Wildlife Refuge

Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve

FakahatcheeStrandStatePreserve

N0 Feet 1000

ParkingLotMain Trail

(1.3 miles)

Accessible Trail(0.3 miles)

I-75 (Alligator Alley)

Florida PantherNational Wildlife Refuge3860 Tollgate BoulevardSuite 300Naples, FL 34114239/353 8442

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov

June 2005