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Parents' Guide to

Path of the Panther

By Sabrina McFarland, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Activists seek to save species in docu; violence, language.

Movie PG 2023 88 minutes
Path of the Panther movie poster: A pale brown and rusty-colored Florida panther is photographed running toward a camera-trapping device in the Everglades during the day

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Still from Path of the Panther: Three pale brown and rusty-colored Florida panthers, a mother in the foreground, followed by two kitten panthers, are photographed walking toward a camp-trapping device at night in the Everglades
  • till from Longest Third Date: Two pale brown kitten panthers cry out while facing the camera and being held by a woman panther recovery health team member, wearing a dark-colored T-shirt and a stethoscope, in the Florida Everglades
  • Still from Path of the Panther: Babs, who was located in the Babcock Ranch panther study area in the Everglades, is a pale brown and rusty-colored Florida panther, photographed walking toward a camera-trapping device during the day

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

jack R.
jack R. Parent of 2-year-old
May 27, 2023
age 18+

Great film but not for little kids

A really great movie but it should not be rated 10+ there is one scene in the movie were one of the animals bites a zebras head off do not be fooled its really graphic.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

PATH OF THE PANTHER is a documentary about the journey taken by wildlife activists to save an extinct species. Through firsthand interviews and archival footage and photos, Carlton Ward Jr., a conservation photographer, and other experts set out to find ways to keep the Florida Panther alive. The animal almost disappeared from Earth in the 1950s and was among the first added to the U.S. Endangered Species list five decades ago.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Filmmaker Eric Bendick provides a priceless portrait of the timely topics of conservation and saving species. For Path of the Panther photographer Carlton Ward Jr., the subject matter is a personal one. Ward's ancestors moved to Florida in the 1800s. "As a kid, I came here thinking about our ranch," he says, but the conservationist cameraperson admits now, "as an adult, I come here thinking about all ranches." Ward shares with viewers words and a possible course of action to end animal extinction on Earth. "This panther is an emblem of this land that is very much endangered," he notes. "The wildlife corridor is a way that we can save a path for the panther or it's going to be lost."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the communication of the cast in Path of the Panther. How do they also demonstrate compassion, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

  • Betty Osceola, a member of Florida's Miccosukee Tribal Nation from the Panther clan, is a conservationist and Native educator about the Everglades panther. What are the possible benefits of protecting wildlife species? Why is it important?

  • Camera-trapping is used by photographer Carlton Ward Jr. to capture endangered panther actions. What do you think of the technique?

  • What possible steps could you take to save endangered animals?

Movie Details

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