MIAMI, March 3 (UPI) -- Environmentalists are saying "I told you so" in the death of a young male Florida panther killed by another big cat after he was relocated.
The Miccosukkee Indian Tribe had asked last May to move the 11-month-old panther after it began getting too close to Florida Everglades residents without showing any fear of humans.
Conservationists warned tranquilizing the cat and moving it would place its life in danger from older bigger males. Male panthers are known to be territorial and will kill other panthers trying to invade their turf.
The young panther was killed and his body was found in early January through signals from his radio collar, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Thursday.
The death was disclosed Wednesday by the conservation group Defenders of Wildlife, which had been reviewing panther reports.
State biologist Darryl Land said the young panther was going to face a risk from an older animal whether he was moved or not, and the relocation did not necessarily lead directly to his death.
There are an estimated 90 panthers in the Florida Everglades.
