HENDRY COUNTY, Fla.- The remains of two young panthers were found in Hendry County over the last two days. There have now been a total of five mortalities for 2013, which include three road mortalities.

The remains of a 4-month-old uncollared panther kitten, were collected on Thursday on County Road 835 in Hendry County. The cause of death was a collision with a vehicle. The sex of the kitten could not be immediately determined due to trauma associated with the collision and scavenging. A subsequent necropsy by FWC will determine the sex of the kitten.

The remains of a 2 to 3-year-old uncollared male panther were collected Friday morning in the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest in Hendry County. The immediate cause of death is unknown and will be determined upon performing a complete necropsy.

The carcasses are being transported to the FWC Wildlife Research Lab in Gainesville for necropsy.

People are encouraged to report sightings of an injured or dead panther by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone. Another option is texting Tip@MyFWC.com (standard usage fees may apply).