The park currently houses a Western cougar which serves as an ambassador for the endangered Florida panther. There are only about 50 of these cats left in Florida.

Panthers generally occupy upper dry land areas of the hardwood hammock, pine flatwoods, saw palmetto and cabbage palm thickets. They also inhabit wetland areas such as cypress forest, thicket swamps and freshwater marsh. Palmetto and drier scrub areas are often used for denning and day beds. Panthers prefer a secluded environment away from people and are rarely seen in agricultural areas and citrus groves. Most active at dusk and dawn a panther can travel up to 20 miles a day, often moving in a zig-zag pattern. They tend to hunt during cooler hours of the day and rest in the hot afternoon hours.

It is simple to say that we humans are the panther's biggest enemy, yet the problem is much bigger than us now. Panthers are still lost to cat fights but more often are killed by collisions with motor vehicles, illegal hunting, mercury poisoning and disease. Due to the low population numbers the cats are inbreeding which is also detrimental to the species. Adverse effects such as abnormal semen and single testicle abnormality found in males and a congenital heart disease as well as a decrease in overall fitenss making them more prone to disease.

So what exactly is killing our cats?

• Pseudo rabies PRV - a virulent viral pathogen found in feral hogs, one of the cats main food sources. The virus is density dependent and is fatal to hogs. It is believed that it is transferred to panthers by eating hogs infected with the virus.

• Panleukopenia (feline distemper) - highly contagious, has the potential to be extremely dangerous for the entire panther population. Signs have shown up in 85% of those tested. They are also susceptible to Feline Leukemia and FIV, the feline AIDS virus.

• Calcivirus - a respiratory disorder that has shown up in 50% of all those tested.

• Congenital Heart Defect - a hole in the heart which is a result of inbreeding.

• Parasites - seven species of ticks which in large numbers can cause enemia. Tapeworm, hookworm, ringworm and intestinal flukes.

Below are photographs of the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park cougar.

The small photographs below are for your selection of a larger photo. When you click on a photograph below, you will view a larger, more detailed photograph of picture you clicked on.