That's a cool link, however, the quote also mentions some other stats.
Truth be told, we hope to be lucky enough to someday see a Florida Panther while riding. Not many people, including some that have lived here their entire "Florida Cracker" life, have seen one. The closest we have come, are footprints made possibly on the same day we rode. But honestly, these could have been from another large cat we have seen, supposedly they don't exist this far south, but when I described the cat to a friend, he said it is a Jaguarondi.
For the more faint-hearted who may not relish the idea of grappling with a Florida panther -- full-grown males can stand up to 28 inches high at the shoulder and weigh up to 160 pounds (72 kg) -- the FWC gives the following more reassuring information on its web site: "Panthers eat deer, not people. Panthers are shy and avoid people"
"There's never been an attack by a panther on a human being in the state of Florida, that we're aware of," Ferraro said.
Pets and farm animals are not so lucky, however, and the FWC recommends keeping livestock such as chickens, goats and hogs in enclosed structures at night. Cats and small dogs should be kept indoors, particularly at night, it adds.
Florida panthers, which can be smaller than their western cousin, the cougar, have been listed as endangered since 1967. The panther population declined to about 30 cats by the early 1980s but has recovered to at least 100 panthers today.
"There are more panthers that live in the wild now than there were a few decades ago, and the odds of seeing one or coming close to one are more possible now than they were before ... our priority is public and human safety," Ferraro said.
PK