Paying for Panthers

The Florida panther is a very rare beast, getting lavish attention from government and private conservation agencies. Ranchers who lose the occasional cow to the stealthy feline are naturally not inclined to share the love. New programs are trying a two-pronged approach to making sure an angry human doesn't take out a panther (illegal though that is.) Modest funding is available to help construct panther-proof pens and to compensate ranchers for losses. Ranchers are skeptical, but it certainly seems worth a try.