Page 22 - Brian Hampton News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

A mysterious neurological disease is afflicting endangered Florida panthers A disease known as feline leukomyelopathy has likely stricken 48 panthers and bobcats, leading to concerns about the impact on Florida’s state animal. A Florida panther kitten born to a mother with feline leukomyelopathy (FLM), a newly discovered neurological disorder, is examined at Zoo Tampa by veterinarian Lauren Smith. This kitten and its sibling were deemed healthy but the mother didn’t recover from the disease. ByDouglas Main Email Once ranging throughout the U.S. Southeast, Florida panthers nearly went extinct due to widespread hunting. By the 1970s there were fewer than 30 left. Though the endangered cats have rebounded significantly in the last couple decades, with a total population around 200, their future remains tenuous.

Fort myersUnited statesCorkscrew swampUniversity of floridaCaloosahatchee riverDeborah jansenIan duncanJim wellehanMark cunninghamDave onoratoRalph arwoodBrian hamptonNicole nemethSoutheastern cooperative wildlife disease studyUniversity of florida college veterinary medicineNational park service