23 documented Florida panther deaths last year

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says Monday that 16 of these panthers died after being hit by vehicles. Another six deaths are attributed to panthers killing each other and one panther died of unknown causes.

Experts say the figures are similar to 2009, where there were 25 documented deaths, with 17 of those killed by vehicles.

Since 1967, Florida panthers have been listed federally as an endangered species.