Swamp Screamers: At Large with the Florida Panther

The Florida panther is facing extinction; its dwindling population of about 50 is threatened by genetic problems, fragmentation and loss of habitat. Fergus (A Rough-Hunting Dog) examines the current status of the panther and the efforts under way to save it. He crisscrossed Florida with wildlife officials, tracking and tagging animals for three years. Two state and two federal agencies are involved with panthers; their work includes captive breeding, importation of Texas panthers and monitoring tagged and released animals. Fergus discusses the politics of the panther and raises the pertinent questions: Should land be reserved exclusively for their habitat? Should we limit hunting in panther habitat, restrict resort and housing development and ban the use of land for new citrus groves? In the end, he makes a compelling case for saving the panther. (Jan.)