November 21, 2022
MOVIE: PATH OF THE PANTHER
DIRECTED BY ERIC BENDICK
RATING: 3 1/2 STARS (Out of 4)
By Dan Pal
Lately when we think about Florida it’s hard not to think about the recent hurricanes as well as the issues within the social/political climate including the ridiculous “Don’t Say Gay” proclamation. However, there is a side of the state that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. The wildlife within the Everglades has been endangered for years due to land development and rising waters. In particular, the population of panthers that once roamed throughout the Southeastern portions of the United States has dwindled with little opportunity to avoid extinction if safe corridors for wildlife aren’t established.
These are some of the finds and ideas expressed in the new documentary, Path of the Panther, directed by Eric Bendick. The film follows photographer Carlton Ward as he attempts to capture images of the animal with hopes of saving their lives. Ward houses cameras in many key locations throughout the various wooded ranches within the Everglades. These camera traps work a bit like the Ring security system that many people now have on their properties which detect motion and then record whatever is appearing on strategically placed cameras. (Ours occasionally gets birds flying by along with unsuspecting neighbors.) Ward has captured some amazing images of panthers that have been published in National Geographic. Of course, he’s also recorded bears, deer, raccoons, alligators, and several different species of birds via his extensive camera network which in and of itself is fascinating to see.
By recording the panthers, he can track where they are located as so few have been seen in recent decades. The film offers many of these images Ward finds when going back to the cameras he has placed throughout the region. All of this also helps local wildlife officials to be aware of their most traveled areas and they become significant as Florida seriously contemplates building toll roads which would cut right through the Everglades and destroy much of its wildlife habitation. The film illustrates how many of these animals are increasingly hit by cars. The Panther Recovery Team attempts to save and rehabilitate as many of them as they can. Some of the scenes of various sick or critically injured panthers are very sad to watch yet their efforts, at least those shown in the film, seem to have yielded successful results.
All of this is incredibly informative as it really does expose so much about the state that doesn’t get enough coverage. As much as the locals are attempting to save the panthers, the film does leave out further details though such as their history throughout the region and the dangers of allowing more panthers to spread again throughout the state. When Florida wasn’t as settled as it is now, it is clear how panthers may have had free reign and space to roam. But the film doesn’t address what would happen if more of them were found in the many big towns and cities that have developed over the years. Would the panthers themselves be in further danger once again, not to mention the residents?
In the end though, Bendick, Ward, and the many people interviewed throughout the film, including local Native Americans, express the importance of panthers to balance the system found in the area’s natural settings. Some believe that panthers watch over and even protect other forms of wildlife. Whether this is true or not I can’t answer but the film makes a great case for all of these ideas. Path of the Panther is a wonderful documentary that exposes a bit about a species that deserves more time in the spotlight for greater protection and endurance.
Path of the Panther is currently playing as part of the DOC NYC festival and can be streamed via its website at docnyc.net until November 27th.
MOVIE: PATH OF THE PANTHER
DIRECTED BY ERIC BENDICK
RATING: 3 1/2 STARS (Out of 4)
By Dan Pal
Lately when we think about Florida it’s hard not to think about the recent hurricanes as well as the issues within the social/political climate including the ridiculous “Don’t Say Gay” proclamation. However, there is a side of the state that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. The wildlife within the Everglades has been endangered for years due to land development and rising waters. In particular, the population of panthers that once roamed throughout the Southeastern portions of the United States has dwindled with little opportunity to avoid extinction if safe corridors for wildlife aren’t established.
These are some of the finds and ideas expressed in the new documentary, Path of the Panther, directed by Eric Bendick. The film follows photographer Carlton Ward as he attempts to capture images of the animal with hopes of saving their lives. Ward houses cameras in many key locations throughout the various wooded ranches within the Everglades. These camera traps work a bit like the Ring security system that many people now have on their properties which detect motion and then record whatever is appearing on strategically placed cameras. (Ours occasionally gets birds flying by along with unsuspecting neighbors.) Ward has captured some amazing images of panthers that have been published in National Geographic. Of course, he’s also recorded bears, deer, raccoons, alligators, and several different species of birds via his extensive camera network which in and of itself is fascinating to see.
By recording the panthers, he can track where they are located as so few have been seen in recent decades. The film offers many of these images Ward finds when going back to the cameras he has placed throughout the region. All of this also helps local wildlife officials to be aware of their most traveled areas and they become significant as Florida seriously contemplates building toll roads which would cut right through the Everglades and destroy much of its wildlife habitation. The film illustrates how many of these animals are increasingly hit by cars. The Panther Recovery Team attempts to save and rehabilitate as many of them as they can. Some of the scenes of various sick or critically injured panthers are very sad to watch yet their efforts, at least those shown in the film, seem to have yielded successful results.
All of this is incredibly informative as it really does expose so much about the state that doesn’t get enough coverage. As much as the locals are attempting to save the panthers, the film does leave out further details though such as their history throughout the region and the dangers of allowing more panthers to spread again throughout the state. When Florida wasn’t as settled as it is now, it is clear how panthers may have had free reign and space to roam. But the film doesn’t address what would happen if more of them were found in the many big towns and cities that have developed over the years. Would the panthers themselves be in further danger once again, not to mention the residents?
In the end though, Bendick, Ward, and the many people interviewed throughout the film, including local Native Americans, express the importance of panthers to balance the system found in the area’s natural settings. Some believe that panthers watch over and even protect other forms of wildlife. Whether this is true or not I can’t answer but the film makes a great case for all of these ideas. Path of the Panther is a wonderful documentary that exposes a bit about a species that deserves more time in the spotlight for greater protection and endurance.
Path of the Panther is currently playing as part of the DOC NYC festival and can be streamed via its website at docnyc.net until November 27th.