Florida panthers are moving through parts of Polk County, state wildlife officials told The Ledger of Lakeland.
Over the last several years, the presence of panthers has been documented around the county. For example, a panther was injured when it was struck by a vehicle near Fort Meade in April.
In recent years, according to The Ledger, Florida panthers have been tracked or photographed in the Avon Park Air Force Range east of Frostproof and at Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park east of Haines City.
The big cats, whose population has declined due to loss of habit, are the last large native predator roaming Florida's wilderness.