Big Cats Research Paper

Big cats are some of the most beautiful animals on the face of the planet. Their strength and agility are stunning. Yet, in spite of these attributes, many big cats have been faced with a variety of obstacles that have hindered their healthy lifestyles. The Florida panther has been especially affected by these obstacles. In the November 1997 issue of National Parks, Yvette La Pierre’s description of the Florida panther in her article entitled “On the edge: Florida panthers, which once roamed the southeastern states, have been reduced to one population” is sad because it reveals that the Florida panther population has been greatly harmed as a result of pollutants, habitat loss, and inbreeding. Pollutants have been an especially major issue for the Florida panther in recent years. Places such as large farms and factories produce great quantities of pesticides and chemicals—many of which end up in the waterways of the Florida panthers’ habitat. While modern crop and item production methods have greatly benefited society, these practices have come with a cost. Yvette La Pierre reports, “scientists have found high levels of mercury in some dead panthers” (44). Instances such …show more content…
These beautiful big cats are now battling threats to their existence from all sides. Modern day threats such as the polluting of waterways pose serious problems for the Florida panthers’ existence. However, there are many alternative methods for getting rid of waste. In addition to this, we should also every measure possible to ensure that the Florida panthers’ habitat is preserved. This in turn will help prevent problems with inbreeding. From this article, one can clearly see the effects that humans have had on the way the Florida panther lives. This demonstrates how important it is for us to continually strive to protect what has been given to