“Continued draining and clearing of land, panther habitat continues to be destroyed. The Florida panther is forced into areas that are not good habitat for white-tailed deer, so panthers are catching armadillos and raccoons for food. Panthers then become underweight and anemic due to poor nutrition. (Beckham 4) 

“A panther has to kill and eat about 10 raccoons to equal the food value of 1 deer. To maintain their health and fitness, adult panthers need to consume the equivalent of about 1 deer or hog per week. Females with kittens may need twice this amount.” (3) 

“Summer thunderstorms scour airborne mercury out of the upper atmosphere and deposit it in the Everglades.” (5)