Officials: Florida panther struck and killed by vehicle

BIG CYPRESS, Fla. – An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it’s the 16th panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of 22 total deaths this year.

Wildlife officials say the remains of the 4-month-old male panther were found Tuesday within Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County.

Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.