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Vic Smith

On Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:41:42 -0400, wrote:

Yup, all of the swamp creatures are showing up in people's back yards
as the back yards are encroaching on the swamp.
The problem with the "Florida" panther is it is just a garden variety
cougar, just like the ones in Texas and the mountain lions that eat
joggers in California.
In the 80s this was proved in court by a local casino manager and
sometime indian chief James Billee (charged with killing one).
Any possible ESA protection was voided when they introduced 50+
cougars from Texas to increase the genetic diversity.
When you see a "Florida Panther" it is as likely to have been born on
the Pecos River as on the Shark River.

I looked around a little and found only references to 8 Texas females
being introduce. But it looks like the "real" Florida panthers, if
they exist, are genetically weakened from inbreeding.
I don't like species extinction, but if it has to happen it's probably
best it happens to species that can eat you.
Anyway, looks like a good argument to stay out of.

--Vic