By Amber Crooks, Environmental Policy Manager, Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Human-wildlife conflicts with large mammals, such as the Florida panther or Florida black bear, can occur when development encroaches into their habitat, or when people unknowingly attract them onto their properties. The Florida black bear can pick up the scent of your unsecured trash or pet food from a mile away! The Florida panther can leap over a 15-foot-tall fence if interested in goats or other hobby livestock on the other side!
That’s why the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been working for many years to help reduce these types of conflicts with our native wildlife. Most of the admissions to our von Arx Wildlife Hospital suffer from injuries or illnesses caused by humans.
For bears, the adage is “a fed bear is a dead bear,” as bears that are attracted to human sources of food, can sometimes end up being trapped and killed as nuisances (15 bears were killed statewide in 2023 due to this issue). For the endangered Florida panther, coexistence and acceptance of a large predator on the landscape is key to their recovery and continued expansion northward.
Since 2011, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has operated a program designed to help reduce panther-human interactions and conflicts. Since the start of the program, which compensates ranchers for depredations and helps offset the costs of predator-resistant enclosures, the Conservancy has invested over $42,000 in this initiative. We have also provided in-kind contributions to the state and federal Payment of Ecosystem Services program aimed at protecting panther habitat.
The panther, and other native predators, have been documented to prey upon chickens, sheep, and goats. Free-ranging commercial cattle have also been reported to be depredated by panthers. “Appropriate human behavior is a key to coexisting with wildlife;”[1] appropriate animal husbandry practices are necessary to coexist successfully.
For areas where pen enclosures can be built to secure livestock and pets, our program may be able to provide financial assistance to offset the costs of these structures. Fully enclosed structures, with roofs, are a proven way to help protect your animals.
Our partners at Defenders of Wildlife have been steadfast collaborators on many pen enclosure builds. Information on their program can be found here: defenders.org/sites/default/files/publications/build-a-predator-resistant-enclosure-2019.pdf
For free-ranging cattle and livestock, where pen enclosures aren’t possible due to the number of cattle in your inventory or to their free-ranging nature, there are other alternatives. While there are some ways to protect calves in their most vulnerable times, enclosures may not always be practicable. If depredation of cattle or other free-ranging animals occurs, the other prong of our program may provide reimbursement for losses.
Requirements for participation in our programs, as well as an online application, can be found on our webpage: conservancy.org/compensation.
In 2023, the state of Florida also started a new program to help provide compensation for depredations. Their program is a welcome complement to the Conservancy’s program. Details of the state’s program are available here: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/depredations/
Tips for living in Florida panther habitat, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC):
- Install motion-activated lighting or other deterrent devices
- Keep attractant prey away from low-growing vegetation that could provide stalking cover for a panther
- More can be found here: myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/depredations/
Tips for reducing conflicts with Florida black bear, according to the FWC:
- Secure household garbage in a shed, garage, or wildlife-resistant container
- Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before
- Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding
- More can be found here: myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/
Tips for preventing wildlife injuries:
- Supervise your pets
- Pick up litter
- Check trees before trimming or cutting
- More can be found here: conservancy.org/wildlife-injury-prevention/
[1] United States Fish and Wildlife Service. “Environmental Assessment for the Interagency Florida Panther Response Plan.” March, 2008. P. 3.