A rehabilitated Florida panther was released on private property in southeast Hendry County, said biologists from Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials rescued the female panther, around 19-month-old, a year back. It was struck by a vehicle in Collier County and the incident led the panther suffer fractures in her right hind leg and the lungs were bruised.

The panther underwent surgery at Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida and was taken to White Oak Plantation in Yulee for recovery. There it lived and learnt to hunt in a large habitat.

Now, the panther is about two-year-old and able to breed. The cat was transported to Green Glades West. Door of the crate was opened in the middle of the open pastures, but the female panther did not move.

Everyone in the audience from politicians and news media was waiting to see the panther leave the crate. After waiting for a while, one of the animal handlers shook the crate and the panther stepped out.

It turned toward reporters and photographers and in full speed went away from all the humans and disappeared into the woods. Experts believed the panther will be able to contribute to the progress made in the recovery of the panther population.

It is believed that the cat is one of around 160 Florida panthers roaming the state. Over the past year, the released panther is said to be the third one to be rehabilitated and released into the South Florida.

Last year, brother and sister cats were released in two different areas. The male was released in the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area, but died due to unknown reasons. The female was released in Picayune Strand State Forest is alive and believed to be pregnant.