The cougar is really interesting and shows the messiness of our ability to categorize what a distinct species is. There were many distinct species of cougars that were classified in the 19th century, including the Florida panther. However, a genetic study of cougar mitochondrial DNA showed that many of the listed cougar subspecies described in the 19th century are too similar to be recognized as distinct. The Florida panther was reclassified and subsumed to the North American cougar (P. c. couguar) in 2005. However, it’s still often referred to as a distinct subspecies (P. c. coryi).
I took a debate class in college where I was assigned the positive in a debate “The Florida panther should be removed from the endangered species list”. I wasn’t thrilled with that assignment, but in researching it (well before 2005, although the DNA evidence was already available in nascent form) - I realized how strong the case for it was. The guy I debated really didn’t prepare well, and I absolutely demolished and embarrassed him. I remember afterwards, two of the hottest girls in the class glaring at me - I assume for having the audacity to convincingly win that debate. My two takeaways were:
1) I enjoyed those glares far more than I expected, but realized I’d rather be passionately hated than ignored. Around 30 years later, I’m surprised how well that attitude has served me in life.
2). The decision to keep or remove the Florida panther from the endangered species list isn’t an issue that’s going to be decided by facts - it’s going to be decided by emotion. It’s going to be hard to ever remove it as a result.
I think a name change for the Florida Panthers hockey team would be fine - but it’s never going to happen because of the emotional element of the issue.
