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Mysterious Ailment Baffles Florida panthers: Disorientation, Wobbliness, Confusion, Death
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A mysterious disease has emerged, spreading rapidly among the already endangered Florida panther population.
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Panthers affected by the disease experience a loss of coordination, focus, and balance, severely impacting their ability to hunt and survive.
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Wildlife scientists from various institutions are tirelessly working to understand the disease and find a way to halt its progression.
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This enigmatic spinal disease affects the panther's spinal cord, causing damage to the protective sheath around the vital nerves.
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Researchers are concerned about the shortened lifespan and diminished quality of life for panthers afflicted by the disease.
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The origins of this newly discovered disease remain unknown, leaving scientists puzzled and searching for answers.
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Both Florida panthers and bobcats are being affected, showing symptoms such as disorientation, tremors, and leg dysfunction.
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Carol Rizkalla, the coordinator of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's Panther Management Program, expressed uncertainty about the cause and prevalence of the disease.
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The condition has been named FLM (feline leukomyelopathy), signifying its impact on the spinal cord.
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A multi-state task force, composed of wildlife scientists and animal disease experts, has been assembled to combat the spread of FLM among panthers and bobcats.
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Initial investigations have ruled out environmental factors as the cause of the disease, as other animals in the region do not exhibit similar symptoms.
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Extensive testing has been conducted on spinal cord samples collected from deceased panthers and bobcats, but no conclusive findings have been made.
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Researchers have explored viral, nutritional, bacterial, fungal, and toxin-related causes, including rodenticides, pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals, but no links have been found.
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While no reports of the disease have been observed in domestic felids or other wildlife, concerns remain about the possibility of it spreading to other species.
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The discovery of spinal cord tissue damage in a deceased panther kitten named K519 has raised further alarm and highlighted the impact on younger panthers.
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The greatest concentration of affected panthers has been identified in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed.
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FLM appears to be particularly prevalent in kittens, raising questions about whether it is transmitted during gestation or through nursing.
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The situation is deeply concerning for scientists and conservationists, as the disease poses a serious threat to the survival of the already endangered Florida panther population.
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Despite extensive efforts, the root cause of the disease remains elusive, leaving researchers with more questions than answers.
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