Author: Erin Elizabeth

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed two cases of neurological damage in a panther and bobcat in this month. The beloved Florida panther and bobcat are the only two wild cat species found in the state. The disorder is impacting the animals’ ability to walk. The agency is not sure of the cause but is conducting an investigation. Trail camera footage shows the animals stumbling and falling down, almost unable to use their back legs. RELATED STORY: Bobcat Sitting on Top of 40 Foot Tall Cactus in the Arizona Desert To date, the FWC has seen eight panthers (mostly kittens) and one bobcat in varying degrees of this condition. Gil McRae, director of the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute said in a statement: “While the number of animals exhibiting these symptoms is relatively few, we are increasing monitoring efforts to determine the full scope of the issue.”1 Florida Panthers are listed on the Endangered Species Act, with only 120 to 230 adult panthers in the state. Discovering the cause of the disorder can help officials lessen the impact it could have on the panther community. RELATED STORY: NBC: Florida Fish & Wildlife to stop spraying Roundup Statewide According to the FWC, the sad situation seems to be located in three general areas – Collier, Lee and Sarasota counties. One panther was photographed that may...