Driven to near extinction in the eastern United States, the Florida panther was able to escape complete persecution by disappearing into the untamed wilderness of the Everglades. However, for its long-term survival, they need more than just a small pocket of land at the bottom of the State. Carlton Ward Jr., a National Geographic Explorer, and photographer, has spent almost two decades advocating for the conservation of the vital acres of land and water that this, and so many other species, need to survive- including humans. With over 1000 people moving to the State per day, development is quickly closing in on the remaining natural lands, threatening the animals, and even the ranchers, who have called the area home for generations.
Highlights
- We talk about Carlton's 2,000-mile-long trek, over two expeditions, through the heart of Florida to illustrate the natural corridors wildlife need to migrate.
- How his storytelling of the panther helped lead to the passing of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act in 2021 (with full bipartisan support!)
- Why two unlikely stakeholders- panthers and cattle ranchers - need one another to survive?
- How can we balance the need for economic development with the need to protect natural habitats and ecosystems?
What YOU Can Do
- Take various actions for panthers and a wild Florida through the website.
- Watch Path of the Panther on Disney+, Hulu, or at a screening near you.
- Buy the Path of the Panther book.
- Not mentioned in the episode, there is also a campaign to encourage people to drive the posted speeds in wildlife crossing areas. With road collisions being one of the biggest threats to the panther, driving slower through these areas only means a minute or two added to your journey, but could mean a lifetime for these animals. To learn more tips and info on what to do if you see a hit animal go to PantherCrossing.org.
Resources
- Path of the Panther Instagram
- https://carltonward.com/
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