Injured Florida panther kitten rescued

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — An endangered Florida panther kitten was rescued after apparently being struck by a vehicle.

The kitten was found unresponsive by employees of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) alongside a Collier County road.

The 12-week-old male kitten was taken to Naples for treatment.

According to FWC, veterinarians believe the panther had some type of head trauma. They said there were no major fractures, or serious internal injuries.

"Unfortunately, this kitten's condition makes it unlikely that he will recover enough to be released into the wild," said FWC biologist Dave Onorato.

The kitten will be transported to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for rehabilitation.

A male panther kitten, believed to be a brother to the injured kitten, died April 7 from injuries that appeared to be from a vehicle.

According to FWC, more than one-third of panther deaths last year were the result of being hit by vehicles.

There are an estimated 100 to 160 adult Florida panthers, a federally endangered species, living in the wild.

WFTV