LAUSR

Abstract Breeding Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) are currently restricted to a small area in southwest Florida south of the Caloosahatchee River. Expansion of their range and numbers is necessary for long-term survival and recovery. We estimated the amount and location of breeding panther habitat still remaining in Florida using a modified version of a published random forest habitat model. Unexpectedly, we found that a large proportion of the state (41%) is still suitable panther habitat. Most of this habitat is concentrated in the Panhandle, Big Bend region, and northern third of the peninsula, although there are also smaller islands of habitat in central Florida, in addition to the occupied range in south Florida. Five large areas with suitable habitat for potential reestablishment of breeding panther populations were identified: Eglin Air Force Base, Apalachicola National Forest and vicinity, Big Bend region and the northwest peninsula, Osceola National Forest and vicinity, and Ocala National Forest. Combined, these areas could theoretically support approximately 499–798 adult and subadult panthers, contributing to or achieving recovery goals. These areas were analyzed with regard to habitat quality and extent, highway density, human residential density, potential for livestock depredations, and amount of protected public lands, and compared with the currently occupied panther range in south Florida. In some cases, the unoccupied areas matched or exceeded the currently occupied panther range with regard to these indicators. We conclude that there is ample suitable habitat remaining in the state of Florida for recovery of the Florida panther. However, due to existing impediments to dispersal and anticipated rapid development in Florida, natural recolonization of unoccupied habitat in north Florida seems unlikely.