“This week, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to consider protecting the endangered Florida Panther when drafting construction plans for the new Heartland Parkway.
In a letter to DeSantis, Buchanan noted the 140-mile proposed highway from Polk to Collier Counties will run directly into the habitat of the panther. Construction is expected to begin by 2022.
The greatest threat to the endangered animal is being run over by cars. Four panthers already have been killed in collisions so far this year.”
