Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment Addressing Genetic Management Options for the Florida Panther for Review and Comment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment

Addressing Genetic Management Options for the Florida Panther for

Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability and public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the

availability for public review of a draft Environmental Assessment

addressing genetic management options for the Florida panther, Felis

concolor coryi. A single population estimated to number 30 to 50 adults

represents the sole known remaining population in the wild. This

population utilizes approximately 2-3 million acres of habitat on

public and privately owned lands in south Florida. Existing data

indicate that the Florida panther will likely to extinct without

actions to restore genetic health to the population. The Environmental

Assessment examines four genetic management alternatives for the

panther. The preferred alternative involves a strategy to restore lost

gene flow to the panther from a western Felis concolor population.

Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment can be obtained by making

requests to the address below. This notice is being furnished under

provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act Regulations (40 CFR

1501.7) to obtain comments from other agencies and the public on the

draft Environmental Assessment. Following an appropriate public comment

and review process, the Service intends to evaluate all comments

received and select an intended course of action by December 31, 1994.

DATES: Comments on the draft Environmental Assessment must be received

on or before December 5, 1994 to receive consideration by the Service.

ADDRESSES: Comments soul be addressed to the Regional Director, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia

30345.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND COPIES OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL

ASSESSMENT CONTACT: Dennis B. Jordan, Florida Panther Coordinator, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 110450, Gainseville, Florida 32611-

0450, telephone 904/392-1861.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Restoring endangered or threatened animals or plants to the point

where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their

ecosystems is a primary goals of the Service's endangered species

program. The Service will consider all information presented during the

public comment period prior to finalizing and implementing a specific

genetic management strategy for the Florida panther.

The Florida panther is one of the most endangered large mammals in

the world. The biological circumstances of geographic isolation,

habitat loss, population reductions, and associated inbreeding have

resulted in significant loss of genetic variability and health of the

population. The genetic variability and health of the Florida

population must be restored for the tax on to survive even with

adequate habitat preservation and other enhancement measures.

The Florida panther formerly occupied a range comprising much of

the southeastern United States. This range was contiguous with other

populations of North American cougars (Felis concolor spp.). The

panther is presently restricted to a small relict population in

southern Florida numbering 30 to 50 adults. This population utilizes

approximately 2-3 million acres of habitat on public and privately

owned lands.

Population declines and associated inbreeding in the Florida

panther have resulted in significant losses in genetic variability and

viability. The population exhibits multiple physiological abnormalities

that are likely a consequence of recent close inbreeding. High

incidences of maladaptive traits which include reproductive and medical

abnormalities have been observed. Significant among these are:

Cryptorchidism (50+% of male population at times), abnormal sperm

(average 93.5% per ejaculate), and atrial septal defects (5

individuals). Furthermore, the Florida panther has suffered from

numerous health problems and infectious diseases that many be a

consequence of a defective immune system.

The goal will be to develop and implement a management strategy to

restore and maintain the historic genetic character of the of Florida

panther. The objectives will be to reduce the occurrence of inbreeding

and restore genetic variability and vitality of offspring produced and

recruited as breeders into a healthier, ore resilient panther

population and to resume the evolutionary adaptive potential by

restoring levels of genetic diversity in the Florida population to

levels comparable of other Felis concolor subspecies in western North

America. The identification and implementation of actions needed to

accomplish this goal will be guided by the analysis and evaluation of

various alternatives that may be available.

Public Comments Solicited

The Service solicits written comments on the draft Environmental

Assessment. All comments received by the date specified above will be

considered prior to finalizing the Assessment.

Authority

The authority for this action is Section 4(f) of the Endangered

Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

Dated: October 12, 1994.

David J. Wesley,

State Administrator.

[FR Doc. 94-25875 Filed 10-18-94; 8:45 am]

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