What are the threats to panthers?
The most profound and continuing threat to their survival can be traced to an increasing human population. As available habitat disappears due to human development and conversion to agriculture, the cats are squeezed into smaller areas, resulting in increased intra-specific aggression, which is the leading cause of panther mortality. Additionally, more development means more roads and more panthers killed by collision with vehicles. Feline leukemia, a disease transmitted to panthers by domestic cats, also kills these magnificent animals.
