Florida big cats stumble with brain disorder, FWC asks for help

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking for your help as they face an unknown condition threatening our big cats.

The disorder has, so far, seemed to affect Florida panthers and bobcats.

The abnormality causes the cats to stumble, seemingly unable to coordinate their back legs.

The FWC writes:

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."

They are testing for toxins, including rat pesticide, as well as infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies.

The organization is also asking the public for video, if they have it, of stumbling big cats and to submit those videos to the FWC.

Mobile users see video here.

The more footage they have, the better their investigation, which quickly needs solved.

Florida panthers are an endangered species in the state.

Biologists estimate there are about 200 left in the wild.

Mobile users see Instagram post here.