IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Dunbar, M.R. | |
| Florida panther biomedical investigations | |
| 1994 Conference Proceeding | |
Veterinary medical management to reduce capture-associated mortality, provide medical care to promote health and increase survival, and to conduct biomedical research to further the understanding of disease, nutrition, and reproductive physiology continued as an integral part of the Florida panther (Felis concolor cory) recovery. Since veterinary involvement began in 1983, 159 immobilizations involving 58 individuals have been accomplished with one mortality 10.63%) in 1983, possibly capture-related. This fiscal year resulted in re-collaring 9 panthers and the capture and radio-instrumentation of 2 newly captured panthers. In addition, 8 kittens were hand-caught, examined, and released at 3 den sites. A total of 22 kittens have been hand-caught during this four-year period. A range of 18 to 23 individual panthers have been monitored by telemetry during this 4-year period. Presently, 18 panthers (8 males, 10 females) are being monitored. The panther population estimate is 30 to 50 adults. Serologic evidence indicates that they were exposed to or were infected with several potentially pathogenic agents: feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline enteric coronavirus/feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus/puma lentivirus. However, panthers were serologically negative for Brucella sp., Toxoplasma gondii , feline leukemia virus, and pseudorabies virus. Twenty-one deaths were documented during this 4-year period. In fiscal year 93/94, 71 % of the 7 deaths were due to road kills, 14% to intraspecific mortality, and 14% to bacterial infection. Panthers were positive for 2 trematodes, 2 cestodes, 6 nematodes, 1 acanthocephalan, and 1 protozoan. No major changes in endoparasite loads were found compared to previous studies of the Florida panther (Forrester et al. 1985). Two studies were initiated this fiscal year, one on vitamin A and one on estradiol levels in panthers. No vitamin A deficiency was found, although, vitamin A levels were correlated with several variables, including age and prey base. Apparently high estrogen levels in male panthers were suggestive of exposure to environmental estrogenic chemicals. There were no attempts to breed panthers in captivity during this period. One captive adult (#200) was euthanized this year due to a severe neurological disorder, leaving a total of 9 panthers currently in captivity. |
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