Statewide telephone surveys in 1985, 1987, and 1995 revealed that Floridians have very positive attitudes toward wildlife. In 1995, 98 percent of the people surveyed believed that protecting wildlife habitat was important, and 95 percent believed that protecting endangered species was important (Duda and Young 1995a).

   A telephone survey specifically addressing attitudes toward the Florida panther found that 91 percent of respondents supported efforts to save the Florida panther from extinction and that 83 percent were supportive of efforts to reintroduce the panther to portions of its historic range (Duda and Young 1995b). A similar survey of people in north Florida where cougars were released found that 80 percent of the respondents supported efforts to save the panther from extinction (Cramer 1995). However, this type of passive support is probably not enough. A minority of active individuals can exert far more influence than a passive majority.

Explore these statements made during a panther reintroduction workshop in Lake City, Florida on March 26, 1998. They illustrate some of the public perceptions that threaten the future of the Florida panther. Are they based on facts? Are there ways to address these attitudes and fears? We've added some links to sections of the panther handbook that can help you evaluate each point. Review those if you would like then consider the counterpoint to each statement. Please note the handbook sections will load in a new browser window.

"You are restricting property rights by threatening livestock. Personal property rights must be considered. Allowing and financing destruction of personal property by a state agency is not democratic."

"How would you like someone to shoot you, chase you until you pass out, take you to some other place that when you wake up you don't know where you are, and you have this plane watching you so when you go where they don't want you, they go shoot and chase you again. What about animal rights?"

"Cougars are vicious and will attack people."

"Panthers and other cats will kill the biggest and strongest buck deer in the area."

"What good are they?"

"People who own large tracks of land are being penalized. People who live in subdivisions and cities have no idea what is really happening to landowners. Most people who want cougars will not be financially damaged."

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