FLORIDA — Something’s wrong with the endangered Florida panther. Footage from video cameras set up along Florida trails has captured eight panthers — mostly kittens, and one adult bobcat — having trouble walking.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking the public to help document this mysterious disorder by submitting video taken of wildlife that show this behavior. All the affected animals have been seen with some degree of walking abnormally or difficulty coordinating their back legs.
As of August, the FWC has confirmed neurological damage in one panther and one bobcat. Videos of affected cats were collected from multiple locations in Collier, Lee and Sarasota counties, and at least one panther photographed in Charlotte County could have been affected. The FWC has been reviewing videos and photographs from other areas occupied by panthers, but to date the condition appears to be localized in three areas.
“While the number of animals exhibiting these symptoms is relatively few, we are increasing monitoring efforts to determine the full scope of the issue.” said Gil McRae, director of FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “Numerous diseases and possible causes have been ruled out; a definitive cause has not yet been determined. We’re working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a wide array of experts from around the world to determine what is causing this condition.”
The FWC is testing for various potential toxins, including neurotoxic rodenticide (rat pesticide), as well as infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies.
Members of the public can upload video files of less than 10MBs to the FWC’s panther sighting page. For larger files, contact the FWC at [email protected].
Florida residents also can support panther conservation efforts by purchasing a “Protect the Panther” license plate at BuyaPlate.com. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of Florida panthers.
To report dead or injured panthers, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission panther biologists estimate there are 120 to 230 adults and kittens in Florida.