FWC asks public to help document disorder impacting panthers

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a disorder detected in some Florida panthers and bobcats. All the affected animals have exhibited some degree of walking abnormally or difficulty coordinating their back legs.
As of August 2019, the FWC has confirmed neurological damage in one panther and one bobcat. Additionally, trail camera footage has captured eight panthers (mostly kittens) and one adult bobcat displaying varying degrees of this condition. 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 also 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 as it is only documented in three general areas.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
The public can help with this investigation by submitting trail camera footage or other videos that happen to capture animals that appear to have a problem with their rear legs. Files less than 10MB can be uploaded to our panther sighting webpage at MyFWC.com/PantherSightings. If you have larger files, please contact the FWC at [e-mail].

[@jeffmartin1438]

got to be some kind of chemical used on plants or in feed, its happening to deer here in Michigan to.

[@paulfromdonmills]

Mother ate something with lead in it. The milk passed it onto the cubs. She passed the lead without much issue, but the cubs are hurt for life because of it. That's my 2 cents worth.

[@williamchiafos3889]

Please keep us posted. Cats and pumas especially rely heavily on their back legs..

[@chrisrok5076]

You guys should partner with WWF WCS the Canadan wildlife Foundation

[@GinoLosi]

Maybe a tick related issue, tick paralysis?

[@magnusrutger8863]

5g? That might sound funny but maybe not his legs his senses, like if someone puts tape on a cat's back or the bird all screwed up and bees dying.

[@williamchiafos3889]

It's obviously a neurological condition. Doubt it's 5 gee or other parts would be affected. I know however that it's affecting migration.

[@spankstars]

I wonder if they have rabies?