The Florida panther is the state's official animal, but 2024 has been a deadly year for the endangered species.

Data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows that 30 Florida panthers were found dead through the first 11 months of 2024. In 2013, only 13 big cats were found dead in the Sunshine State.

These Florida panthers were each killed by cars this year in one of the deadliest spans for the endangered animals since 2018. Through Friday, 30 panthers had died, and three out of every four panther deaths were caused by car strikes, state data show.

The vast majority of the critically endangered Florida panthers have died after being struck by vehicles, including five in the past month.