LABELLE, Fla. — Wildlife officials have reported the first endangered Florida panther death of 2024.

The 1-year-old male was found dead Tuesday from an apparent vehicle strike on a rural road north of LaBelle in Hendry County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

A total of 13 Florida panthers were reported killed in 2023, with all of them being from vehicle strikes.

Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast. But now their habitat is mostly confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico.

Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.

Delta flight makes emergency return to JFK ... Nassau water rescue technology ... Mother seeks recognition for son who died on 9/11 Credit: Newsday

Teaching 9/11 in schools ... Delta flight makes emergency return to JFK ... Man sentenced for fatally kicking dog ... Shooting for magical soccer season

Delta flight makes emergency return to JFK ... Nassau water rescue technology ... Mother seeks recognition for son who died on 9/11 Credit: Newsday

Teaching 9/11 in schools ... Delta flight makes emergency return to JFK ... Man sentenced for fatally kicking dog ... Shooting for magical soccer season

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