By Letitia Stein TAMPA Fla. (Reuters) – Two rare Florida panther cubs were struck and killed by cars during the weekend, authorities said on Monday, bringing the total road deaths for the endangered species to 16 this year. The 4-month-old panther cubs appeared to have been hit in separate incidents while crossing a rural road in Collier County in the southwestern part of the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Our concern is that she may come back looking for her kittens," said Darrell Land, the agency's Florida panther team leader. The number of Florida panthers has more than tripled in recent decades to between 100 and 180, according to government estimates, but the species remains a long way from being downgraded on the endangered list.
Two endangered Florida panther cubs die after being hit by cars
