The number of endangered panthers slaughtered in Florida has more than doubled this year — putting it on track to be the bloodiest year for the big cats in a decade. At least 30 panthers were killed so far in 2024 — almost all of which died at the hands of drivers.

The Florida panther population continues to dwindle, and there’s one predator that’s mostly to blame. Florida’s famous big cat is categorized in the “critically endangered” level, meaning that the species’ population decline is greater than 80 to 90 percent.

A 10-year-old female on a county road in Hendry County. A 2-year-old male in Collier County. A 4-year-old female on a busy Interstate 75 in Broward County. These Florida panthers were each killed by cars this year in one of the deadliest spans for the endangered animals since 2018.

The Florida panther is the state's official animal, but 2024 has been a deadly year for the endangered species.