LAKELAND - A Florida panther was apparently killed by a car Wednesday morning in eastern Polk County.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, it was the first documented panther death in the Polk County area.

The uncollared, young, male panther was found on the side of the road two miles north of County Road 630 and Walk-in-the-Water Road, near the Walk-in-the-Water Wildlife Management Area. An FWC biologist estimated it died sometime around 7 a.m.

This was the seventh panther killed by a vehicle this year. The other six happened in Hendry, Lee, Collier and Osceola counties. In April 2006 and March 2007, two panthers were killed on Interstate 4 in Osceola County.

The Florida panther is an endangered species, with only 80 to 100 remaining in existence. They reside primarily in southwest Florida.

Biologists track about 30 panthers with radio collars. They say it is not uncommon for young, male panthers to wander into central Florida as they establish their own home range.

An FWC veterinarian will perform a necropsy on the panther Wednesday afternoon to determine the manner of death.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, it was the first documented panther death in the Polk County area.

The uncollared, young, male panther was found on the side of the road two miles north of County Road 630 and Walk-in-the-Water Road, near the Walk-in-the-Water Wildlife Management Area. An FWC biologist estimated it died sometime around 7 a.m.

This was the seventh panther killed by a vehicle this year. The other six happened in Hendry, Lee, Collier and Osceola counties. In April 2006 and March 2007, two panthers were killed on Interstate 4 in Osceola County.

The Florida panther is an endangered species, with only 80 to 100 remaining in existence. They reside primarily in southwest Florida.

Biologists track about 30 panthers with radio collars. They say it is not uncommon for young, male panthers to wander into central Florida as they establish their own home range.

An FWC veterinarian will perform a necropsy on the panther Wednesday afternoon to determine the manner of death.