Rare Florida predator living at zoo after he was found injured in wild has died

Miami Herald

06-05-2025

Florida Rare Florida predator living at zoo after he was found injured in wild has died
A Florida panther named Walter who was living in captivity at ZooTampa has died.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
An 'iconic' Florida panther living out his days at ZooTampa after he was ensnared in a trap in the wild has died at age 12.
Walter was brought to ZooTampa in 2017 in critical condition after he was found caught in a snare trap with 'severe injuries' to his front left paw and neck, zookeepers said.
He underwent a partial amputation of the paw and couldn't be released back into the wild, so he spent the next eight years at the zoo.
'Walter's charming personality and charisma made him a favorite among guests, staff and volunteers alike,' zookeepers said. 'His story helped educate visitors on how they can peacefully coexist with the amazing native wildlife found in our state.'
Zookeepers said Walter's health began to decline in the days leading up to his death, and 'despite around-the-clock medical intervention he continued to decline.' The zoo announced his death May 5.
Walter and the zoo's two other panthers were featured in National Geographic's 2020 docuseries on ZooTampa called 'Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa.'
'If he hadn't have been found, if he hadn't have been rescued, he would have died, there's just no doubt about that,' former ZooTampa veterinarian Dr. Ray Ball said in the documentary. 'And we've never had a cat that lost part of its foot before.'
Walter went through multiple surgeries and spent a year rehabilitating before he was moved to a modified habitat to accommodate his injuries.
'I loved watching him in his enclosure,' one visitor said on social media. 'Despite his injuries, his agility was still amazing, and he would always run right to snacks from his keepers.'
Others said they made a point to always visit Walter while at the zoo.
'I learned all about Walter and Florida Panthers through the show,' a Facebook user said. 'You all have educated so many people through your incredible efforts.'
Panthers can live up to 20 years in the wild, but threats such as habitat loss and fatal vehicle strikes have contributed to a population of fewer than 250 adults, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In the first two days of May, two panthers died from vehicle collisions, McClatchy News reported.
The zoo encouraged those who interacted with Walter to share their photos and memories on social media.
'This is again an opportunity to help save a critically endangered species,' Dr. Larry Killmar said in 2020. 'And we can do that. We still have time to do that. And that's the important part. We never give up on these projects.'
This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM.
OL Olivia Lloyd
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Olivia Lloyd is a National Real-Time Reporter for McClatchy covering the Southeast. She is based in South Florida and graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Previously, she has worked for Hearst DevHub and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.