DAVIE, Fla. – A beloved Florida Panther who lived at the wildlife sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens in Davie has passed.
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According to a post on social media, “Buddy” passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday.
Buddy was cared for by staff at the Flamingo Gardens wildlife sanctuary for six years.
Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens and attractions in South Florida. It was established in 1927, according to its website.
The Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary opened in 1990 at the gardens. It features the 5 ecological zones of South Florida. One of the first of its kind in the country, the sanctuary gives residence to permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife.
Flamingo Gardens is operated by the Flamingo Gardens, Inc, a charitable nonprofit organization. The land is owned by Floyd L. Wray Memorial Foundation, Inc. which was established in 1969 by Mrs. Jane Wray.
Earlier this month, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers caught the largest panther ever weighed in the sunshine state.
After officers were able to safely remove the Panther from the tree, they say it weighed 166 pounds.
That’s a new state record.
According to the FWC, adult panthers weigh between 60 and 160 pounds and are between 5 to 7 feet long.
Panthers are listed as an Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act, and there are between 120-230 adult panthers in the population.
Most live in southwest Florida in the Big Cypress Nat’l Preserve north to Lake Okeechobee.
Panthers and bobcats are the only two wild cats found in Florida, and panthers are the larger of the two.