The Florida Panther Project

Verrrry, very big Florida panther news out of south Florida this week . . .

We will keep our readers updated!

Lawsuit seeks to protect endangered Florida panthers from large Collier County development The lawsuit claims federal agencies violated the Endangered Species Act by approving the 10,264-acre residential and commercial development project.

The 2026 Sarasota County Fair is a wrap! We have been fortunate enough to host a Florida panther educational exhibit here since 1993 . . . and it just keeps getting better!

I like to say Sarasota's young people have the " C.R.S " magnetism, they are Courteous, Respectful, and Smart!! EVERY YEAR !! 🤗

We gave away lots and lots of our legendary Solid Gold Plastic "Perfect Score" Trophies to the World Famous Wildlife I.D. Game, and lots of Florida Panther Project T-Shirts, too! And we renewed friendships that have been formed here over the years!

But mostly we got to see all those happy smiles!! For us, THIS IS WHAT A COUNTY FAIR IS ALL ABOUT!!

Thanks to all participants, and to Judy and Barbara of the Fair Staff, and to volunteers Ronda, Nanette, Connie, and Alexis for making this happen!!

Please enjoy the photos!! 😁

More and more fun times at the 2026 Sarasota County Fair through Sunday, March 22!!

Lots of Courteous, Respectful, and Smart young people winning our legendary Solid Gold Plastic "Perfect Score" Trophies, and lots of smiling Moms and Dads!! We've had some very Special Guests, too, never know who might stop by!

Great weather forecast through Sunday, make it a great weekend, come by and see us at Robarts Arena. SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!!

Sarasota County Fair 2026.

Always a treat, come by and say hello, lots more photos on the way!!

We are definitely going to need more Solid Gold Plastic "Perfect Score" Trophies!!

Sarasota rocks!!

Sarasota County Fair 2026 Edition!!

Friday, March 13-22, come by and say hello!! Open 4-11pm tonight, noon to 10pm over the weekend!

Our Exhibit will be in Robarts Arena, and we are
really looking forward to seeing many of our readers to meet and chat with!!

Winter drought conditions have made the entire south Florida landscape dry and very susceptible to wildfire.

More on this as the story develops. This is prime panther and black bear habitat and home to thousands of wintering birds of countless different species.

With heavy hearts we share the passing of a true champion of a vanishing Florida way of life.

Lifetime and eighth generation Floridian, and current Manatee County Commissioner Carol Ann Felts was a fighter, a believer in all the good things about Florida, and was never afraid to say so.

She passed away today, and Manatee County, and all Florida is diminished. We have lost a friend.

May God Bless her family and friends at this time.

~ Bill Samuels

https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article314824436.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawQLEupleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe0aV91owAD4L_kh1jsHd80O6VJ66WTsXO8x7hvaOURS7k2T0Xak5oBFnN44M_aem_KBPIPjsUZzpMPq9ndOwCuA =bradenton_breaking_newsletter

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Ann Felts dies at 68, officials say Felts began serving on the Manatee County Commission in 2024.

We are asked about Wildlife Overpasses almost everywhere we go. Florida currently has more than 60 UNDERpasses in south Florida for wildlife to safely go under roads, and has OVERpasses on I-75 north of Tampa, and I-4 northeast of Orlando. UNDERpasses are generally adopted because of Florida topography requirements.

An additional OVERpass is scheduled to begin construction soon southwest of the current OVERpass on I-4.

Recently a problem arose in the form of a Development Request by R+L Carriers Company just south of Green Swamp WMA, and north of the proposed OVERpass across I-4.

The Request has been denied by Polk County.🤗

Sorry we missed this yesterday!

Congratulations to all the ladies involved in conservation work in Florida!

Well done!! 🤗

National Women in Science Day is formally recognized as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Celebrated globally on February 11, the day honors the vital contributions of women in STEM, promotes equal participation, and highlights the need to remove barriers they continue to face.

The women featured below lend their knowledge and skills to the Audubon Florida team in many disciplines, including coastal biology, raptor rehabilitation, ecosystem restoration, and STEM education, to name a few.

Thank you for your dedication to protecting birds and the places they need!

Hey, Gang, a happy event to report instead of the seemingly constant stream of bad news involving panthers in Florida!!😁

Good friend Tom Mortensen has captured on camera a (Collier County) pregnant female panther . . . . and it looks as if she has very recently given birth!

Stay tuned for more details from both Tom Mortensen's photos and FFWCC panther Biologist Mark Lotz! 😁

A young male panther tried unsuccessfully to cross Interstate 4 this week.

This location is not too far from an I-4 Wildlife Underpass recently dedicated by FDOT, and a new Wildlife Overpass recently announced as being planned over I-4.

There is no way to be certain, but it is likely this guy was headed north, dispersing from crowded habitat to the south.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/roadway-collision-leads-to-euthanasia-of-young-male-florida-panther-in-polk-county/ar-AA1VlqjM?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgntpruby&pc=HCTS&cvid=697d349091104000b7fdf0e270b6483f&ei=19