By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection
Vehicle collisions kill endangered Florida panthers and other forms of wildlife and cost the nation billions annually.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported four panther deaths on state roads so far this year. Last year, 18 panthers died – all but one by vehicle. A federal wildlife crossings pilot program, set to expire in September, has already funded a project along U.S. 27 in Highlands County, a known hot spot where panthers and black bears are often hit.
Sarah Gledhill, president and CEO of the Florida Wildlife Federation, said after two years of effort and an initial rejection in the competitive application process, the funding came through.
“FDOT reapplied for that funding,” Gledhill explained. “We supported it, along with a number of other state agencies and conservation organizations. And the state got the money, and they received $6.1 million for a new wildlife crossing.”
What is known as the Venus crossing will connect roughly 90,000 acres of conservation land. The national pilot program was created in 2021 with $350 million and will expire this fall unless Congress acts.
Supporters have said it saves lives of people and animals and reduces costly collisions. Critics question the federal spending and whether states should shoulder more responsibility.
Mike Leahy, senior director of wildlife, hunting and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation, said wildlife vehicle collisions are a major problem nationwide, costing more than $8 billion a year and causing about 26,000 injuries and hundreds of human deaths each year.
“The wildlife crossings program makes sure that money is available to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in these areas, save human lives, save wildlife lives and also help wildlife move, around the state and around the country.”
Leahy noted without reauthorization, many projects will be delayed or never completed. Both the House and Senate versions of the reauthorization bill await action in congressional committees.
Banner photo: A Florida panther at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (George Gentry/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons).
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