A puzzling disorder depleting panthers’ hind legs and causing them to teeter through the brush has claimed the life of an adult female.

The Florida Wildlife Commission picked up the panther earlier this month.

In July, the FWC released video footage from a trail camera showing panthers dragging their hind legs along the trail. The panther collared and tagged FP256 was seen on the footage exhibiting symptoms associated with the condition. The panther had young kittens that likely would not have survived in the wild.

FWC staff removed the kittens for observation and testing. Monitoring of these kittens as they age may provide valuable information pertaining to the cause of this condition.

FWC trail cameras subsequently documented that the adult female panther’s health was deteriorating, and this month the decision was made to remove her from the wild.

“After a thorough examination, the decision was made to humanely euthanize the panther due to the animal’s poor condition and the unlikelihood of recovery or improvement,” the FWC said. “The panther underwent complete necropsy, and the results of extensive diagnostic testing are pending.”

In addition to the latest case, the FWC has documented at least 10 panthers and bobcats with the condition, and two others that died of other causes but were determined to have also been afflicted.

“Affected animals exhibit varying degrees of rear leg weaknesses that lead to difficulty in walking,” the FWC said. “To date, the FWC has confirmed neurological damage in one panther and one bobcat through necropsy. Necropsy results of (the female panther) are pending. Additionally, trail camera footage has captured nine panthers (mostly kittens) and four adult bobcats displaying signs that may be consistent with this condition. The FWC takes this situation seriously and is increasing monitoring efforts to locate affected animals.”

The FWC and collaborators have increased monitoring efforts for this condition via the deployment of video trail cameras in areas where the condition has been most frequently documented.

The first video footage of an affected kitten was received in the spring of 2018. Further review of earlier still photos suggest that an affected kitten may have been documented in 2017, the FWC said. It wasn’t until this year that additional reports were received, suggesting it’s a broader issue.

The FWC ruled out five potential causes: Distemper, feline leukemia, ticks, inbreeding and cane toads.

“Until we know the cause of this condition, we cannot say whether this will affect other animals,” the FWC said. The disorder so far is affecting panthers and bobcats.

“These recent neurological episodes are yet another challenge facing the endangered Florida panther,” said Elizabeth Fleming, senior Florida representative for Defenders of Wildlife, in a news release. “We’re hopeful that this panther’s death has a silver lining, and that her necropsy results will shed light on why panthers are having difficulty walking and standing upright. Defenders of Wildlife will continue to work closely with state and federal agencies to help address this emerging and fatal threat in any way we can.”

For more information on the panther disorder, see www.myfwc.com/ wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/disorder/. ¦

In the KNOW

How you can help

People can help by submitting footage or other video that captures affected animals.

Files less than 10 MB can be uploaded to the FWC panther sighting webpage at www.myfwc.com/panthersightings. If you have larger files, contact the FWC at myfwc/panthersightings for more information on uploading.

Florida residents can help panther preservation by purchasing a “Protect the Panther” license plate at www.buyaplate.com. Fees from plate sales are the primary funding source for FWC’s research a management of panthers.

If you see dead or injured panthers,- call the FWC hotline at 888-404-3922.