Entry # 12: Environment in the News

The Florida Panther is Florida's state animal. Ironically, scientists have estimated that only 80-100 Florida Panthers remain in the wild. It's biggest threat: the continuing loss of habitat. It's habitat is threatened by the effects of global warming with the rising sea level issue, as well as the increasing development the area has experienced over the last decade. This beautiful animal has been hiding in the endangered species list since 1973.

(http://www.fws.gov/floridapanther/images/floridapanther.jpg).

I discovered an article in Naples Daily News (http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/feb/11/florida-panther-critical-habitat-fish-wildlife-/) which discusses a recent rejection of an effort to seek more protection and acquire 3 million more acres of designated "critical habitat" for the panther. The argument against providing "critical habitat areas" is that critical habitat areas would take away resources from other panther protection priorities. Experts believe that a public-private partnership (as opposed to) top-down regulation is the key to removing the symbolic animal off the endangered list.

Although I believe that we need to do something in order to get our state animal off of the endangered species list, I must say that I agree with the rejection of such proposal. There are typically shortcuts with top-down regulations. For example, as discussed in the article, a critical habitat destination would not necessarily restrict development. However, I think plans such as the the one developed for Ave Maria which awards development credits to landowners who agree to set aside land for preservation, would ultimately be much more efficient in the efforts of saving the Florida Panther.

Works Cited

Staats, Eric. "Feds Say No to 3 Million Acres of Panther Critical Habitat in Southwest Florida" . NaplesNews.com. 11 February 2010.