Amenity or Nuisance? Understanding and Managing Human–Panther Conflicts in Exurban Southwest Florida

ABSTRACT

Golden Gate Estates (GGE), an exurban development in southwest Florida, is the site of the highest recorded number of conflicts between people and the Florida panther. We used qualitative data provided by 157 GGE residents and 19 nonresident stakeholders to investigate attitudes toward the panther, and appropriate measures to mitigate human–panther conflicts. Although a subset of GGE residents expressed some concerns about human safety risks associated with living with the panther, a higher share of residents viewed the panther positively. Residents and nonresident stakeholders agreed that GGE residents are responsible for securing their livestock against panthers. This point of agreement may improve adoption of appropriate practices to prevent human–panther conflicts. Outreach and education programs should reinforce expectations within the GGE community that residents are responsible for securing livestock against predators and adopting other conflict mitigation practices, as well as encouraging positive attitudes toward the panther.

KEYWORDS:

• Florida panther
• human–wildlife conflict
• livestock depredation
• outreach
• qualitative analysis
• semi-structured interviews

Notes

1. Exurban developments are defined by Hansen et al. (2005) as low-density rural residential developments, located on the outer edges of cities.

2. Although studies have been conducted on cougars’ (Puma concolor) movements in the wildland–urban interface of Washington state (Kertson, Spencer, & Grue, 2013), we are only aware of two studies that investigated tolerance for cougars in exurban areas (Adams Knopff, Knopff, & St Clair, 2016; Thornton & Quinn, 2010). Neither of these studies addressed the Florida panther, nor did they utilize qualitative research methods.

3. Telemetry data show that the Florida panther is utilizing GGE. Moreover, several panther mortalities have occurred in GGE, as a result of vehicle collisions. See Figure 2.

Figure 2. Golden Gate Estates: Household density, human–panther interactions, panther mortalities from vehicle collisions (2010–2015), and panther telemetry data (2010–2014).

4. In order to test for nonresponse bias, a total of 106 nonrespondents were contacted by telephone, and 31 nonrespondent follow-up calls were completed. These individuals were randomly selected. Nonrespondent follow-up calls demonstrated no significant differences between survey respondents and nonrespondents in terms of livestock ownership and tolerance of the Florida panther.

5. In fact the true percentage of properties with livestock is unknown.