ABOVE: Endangered Florida panther
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Several Florida panthers and bobcats appear to be suffering from an unknown neurological disorder that affects the control of their hind legs, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced August 19.
As of this month, the FWC confirmed neurological damage in one panther and one bobcat, according to the statement. Trail footage caught more affected cats struggling to walk, including one adult bobcat and eight panthers, most of which were kittens. The videos and images were gathered from various locations in Collier, Lee, and Sarasota counties, as well as one possible case in Charlotte County.
“Affected animals have tested negative for multiple infectious diseases that can affect felines and other species,” says Carli Segelson, an FWC spokesperson, in an email to The New York Times. Although only a few panthers have shown symptoms, “any disease or condition impacting multiple animals is cause for ...
