Wildlife Education & Safety

There are many different kinds of wildlife in Collier County.

Make sure you and your family know what to do if you encounter different kinds of wildlife!

Black Bear Education:

Bear sightings in neighborhoods are becoming more common.
Florida’s black bear population has grown from a few hundred to over 3,000 in the past 30 years.
Learning to coexist with bears is important for safety and conservation.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers resources, videos, and tips to help residents live safely with bears.
FWCC: Black Bears

Florida Panther Education:

Florida panthers are shy and usually live in remote areas.
As more people move to southern Florida, encounters with panthers are more likely.

What to Do If You See a Panther

Stay close to children: Pick them up without bending over or turning your back.
Give the panther space: Allow it to leave without feeling trapped.
Don’t run: Running may make the panther chase you. Stand tall, face the panther, and make eye contact.
Avoid crouching: Stay upright to look larger and less like prey.
Look big: Raise your arms, open a jacket, or wave objects. Speak loudly and firmly.
Defend yourself if attacked: Use sticks, rocks, or anything available. Stay standing and face the panther.

Tips for Living in Panther Country

Be cautious at dawn, dusk, and night: Panthers are most active during these times.
Remove wildlife food: Don’t leave pet food, garbage, or anything that attracts deer or raccoons.
Protect pets: Keep pets inside or in a secure enclosure at night.
Secure livestock: Use enclosed shelters or electric fencing for animals like chickens or goats.
Clear hiding spots: Remove dense plants and use deer-resistant landscaping near your home.
Use deterrents: Outdoor lights, motion sensors, and fencing can help keep panthers away.
Stay safe while outdoors: Hike or bike with a friend and let someone know your plans.

Florida Panther Facts

Florida panthers are a type of puma, also called cougars or mountain lions.
They are tan, not black, unlike jaguars or leopards.
Panthers were nearly extinct in the 1980s but have recovered thanks to conservation efforts.
They live mostly in the Big Cypress/Everglades area and need large spaces to roam.
Habitat loss and car accidents are the biggest threats to their survival.
The Florida panther became the state animal in 1982.
If you feel threatened by a panther, or have lost pets or livestock to a panther, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). To learn more visit www.myfwc.com/panther

Alligator Safety:

Alligators

Found in Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes across all 67 counties.
Increased human population and water activities lead to more alligator-human encounters.
Learning to coexist with alligators helps reduce conflicts.

Crocodiles

American crocodiles live in brackish and saltwater areas, like mangrove swamps.
Found mainly in South Florida but are moving farther north and inland.
Crocodile numbers have grown from fewer than 300 in 1975 to over 1,500 adults today.
Classified as a “threatened species” due to successful conservation efforts.
Rising populations and human activity in South Florida have led to more crocodile sightings.

Safety Tips