Reward offered for info on headless panther

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,FL--The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants information about a decapitated panther carcass found along the Florida Turnpike near the Osceola and Indian River county line.

FWC officers responded to a report of the dead panther about 2 p.m. Thursday. The carcass was on the shoulder of the road on the southbound side of the turnpike in the southernmost portion of Osceola County, near Yeehaw Junction.          

“The partially decomposed remains appear to be that of an endangered Florida panther,” said FWC’s Lt. Rick Brown. “It also appears someone cut off the head.  We encourage anyone who knows anything about this to call Wildlife Alert as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information can call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.  They can remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward if their information leads to an arrest.