The number of endangered panthers slaughtered in Florida has more than doubled this year — putting it on track to be the bloodiest year for the big cats in a decade. At least 30 panthers were killed so far in 2024 — almost all of which died at the hands of drivers.

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.

Twenty-one panthers have been killed by cars through Nov. 13, with 28 overall deaths documented by state biologists.