Swamp Screamer: At Large with the Florida Panther [Paperback]

CHARLES FERGUS (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1998

The panther--a.k.a. the puma, the catamount, the cougar, or the mountain lion--is one of the most legendary of American mammals, In Florida, however, it is an endangered species, jeopardized by the culture of subdivisions, highways, and Wal-Marts that cover more and more of the state. In this book, Fergus tracks the 50 or so panthers that survive in Florida and the wildlife biologists who are trying doggedly to save them.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Florida panther is actually one of 30 interbreeding subspecies of the puma. The animal is known in the American West as the cougar, a shy cat that has even been spotted in the Midwest (although Pennsylvania claims the largest number of puma sightings). In Swamp Screamer Charles Fergus describes the lifecycle, habits, and gradual near-extermination of the great cats in Florida. Despite their proclivity for hiding in the swamps, pumas are often killed by illegal hunting, traffic, or high levels of mercury. Conservation efforts include tagging and the controversial transplanting of pumas from Texas into the rapidly shrinking population in Florida. This last method has been criticized for preserving panthers in Florida while changing the genetics of the Florida panther; the days of the true swamp screamer may soon come to an end.

From Publishers Weekly

The Florida panther is facing extinction; its dwindling population of about 50 is threatened by genetic problems, fragmentation and loss of habitat. Fergus (A Rough-Hunting Dog) examines the current status of the panther and the efforts under way to save it. He crisscrossed Florida with wildlife officials, tracking and tagging animals for three years. Two state and two federal agencies are involved with panthers; their work includes captive breeding, importation of Texas panthers and monitoring tagged and released animals. Fergus discusses the politics of the panther and raises the pertinent questions: Should land be reserved exclusively for their habitat? Should we limit hunting in panther habitat, restrict resort and housing development and ban the use of land for new citrus groves? In the end, he makes a compelling case for saving the panther.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Florida; 1st edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081301560X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813015606
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #800,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book, October 20, 2011

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This review is from: Swamp Screamer: At Large with the Florida Panther (Paperback)

Alot of books on this endangered species (or any species really...) are dry and unemotional - all sorts of facts and figures that are interesting enough in themselves, but don't do much to stir the heart and it all gets a bit heavy going sometimes.

Charles Fergus has written a book with the same relevant information, except he manages to take us on the journey with him and together we go to all sorts of places, meet some extraordinary people and learn things that we'll remember always. It's a wonderful trip.