Florida Panther 62
© Michael Jurgensen

I am a panther, I’m a wanderer,
I have strayed far from my home,
I am alone.
Born in a swamp in Collier County,
At 18 months left it behind,
I’m the wanderin’ kind.
Now there’s a phantom on the loose,
Florida panther 62.

I came upon the Caloosahatchee,
Oh, that river cold and wide,
Swam to the other side,
And found myself in land uncharted,
But my instincts drove me on,
My journey just begun.
Alive and free, one of the few,
Florida panther 62.

Now I’m a stranger in a strange land,
I’m stalkin’ through the dark of night,
I avoid the light.
Prairies and creeks, I seek a refuge,
I stay away from scent of man,
Don’t know how long I can.
I seek my kind, this I must do,
Florida panther 62.

I’m just seekin’ unclaimed ground,
And my quest keeps me northward bound.

On Catfish Creek, up near Lake Hatchineha,
Found a home of sandhill scrub,
It was the place I’d dreamed of.
Among the ferns and ancient sand dunes,
I’m tryin’ to find myself a mate,
How much longer must I wait?
My dyin’ breed I must renew,
And if I must, I’ll leave here, too,
I’ll search this land my whole life through,
Florida panther 62,
Florida panther 62.