By Emily Anne Epstein


A 12-week-old endangered Florida Panther kitten was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after they found him unresponsive on the side of a road.

Officials believe the animal was struck by a vehicle on State Road 82 in Collier County in Southwest Florida on April 23.

Veterinarians at the animal hospital found no signs of significant injuries, but they believe he will not be able to return to the wild.


Meow? A 12-week-old endangered Florida panther kitten was rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after they found him unresponsive on the side of a road

'Unfortunately, this kitten’s condition makes it unlikely that he will recover enough to be released into the wild,' said Dave Onorato, an FWC biologist.

The kitten was rushed to the Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida in Naples for treatment.

Veterinarians believe he suffered some level of head trauma, but could find no sings of fractures or internal damage.

'We’re grateful to the staff at the Animal Specialty Hospital, who have worked tirelessly caring for him,' Mr Onorato said.

Cuddler: Veterinarians at the animal hospital found no signs of significant injuries, but they believe he will not be able to return to the wild

Another male panther kitten, believed to be this kitten's brother, died on April 7 from injuries it sustained when it was also hit from a car.

Officials are rehabilitating the surviving kitten at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.

He is the third kitten and seventh panther overall to be rehabilitated at the zoo, though this panther's prognosis is uncertain.

Sibling Safety: Another male panther kitten, beleived to be this kitten's brother, died on April 7 from injuries it sustained when it was also hit by a car

Videos of the kitten purring and photographs of him using a full-body walker have been released.

There are only an estimated 100 to 160 adults of this endangered species living in the wild, according to the FWC.

They say that collisions with vehicles are one of the top causes of panther deaths in Florida.

Watch Out: More than a third of panther deaths recorded last year were the result of car accidents

More than a third of panther deaths recorded last year were the result of car accidents, the FWC said.

They have mounted a campaign to slow down vehicles in 'panther crossing' zones, where they ask drivers to slow to 45 miles per hour.


source:dailymail