Annual Performance Report; Florida Panther Biomedical Investigation

Roelke, Melody; Glass, Carolyn

Veterinary medical management has improved the safety of Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) immobilizations. Since veterinary involvement began in January of 1983, 127 immobilizations involving 56 individuals have been accomplished with one possible capture mortality (0.79%). This year a total of 144 hunt-days resulted in there-collaring of 11 panthers and the capture and/or radio-instrumentation of 11 new panthers (3 neonates, 5 juveniles, and 3 young adults). Presently, 23 free-ranging panthers are radio-collared and are being monitored. Four panther deaths have been documented this past year: 1 (25%) intraspecific aggression, 1 (25%) bacterial infection/cellulitis, and 2 (50%) of unknown causes. Serologic evidence from 19 Florida panthers indicates that they were exposed to or are infected with several potentially pathogenic agents: feline immunodeficiency virus (26%), feline calicivirus (25%), and feline enteric corona virus/feline infectious peritonitis virus (5%). All were negative for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline leukemia virus, feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, and Brucella sp. All of the 12 kittens captured in the last 2 years lacked antibodies for FPV. These findings support our earlier hypothesis that kittens less than 1 year of age are unprotected and are the ones most at risk for succumbing to FPV. Mercury continues to be a significant contaminant in freeranging panthers that inhabit the southern Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park. One male living in this area had whole blood concentrations (>0.5 ppm) that will necessitate his capture next year for follow up sampling. Two kittens were removed from the wild for use in the captive breeding program: a 9 to 12-day-old kitten and a 7 to 8-month-old kitten. This brings the number of captive individuals to 7, representing 8 different wild founders. Since 1989, 28 individuals have been identified as potential contributors to the captive breeding program. Within the past 3 years 12 of these (43%) have already died, and only 2 of the dead founders have offspring in captivity. Laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI) studies utilizing captive cougars (F. c.) as a model for the Florida panther were initiated. Initial efforts resulted in a successful pregnancy with a live birth in February 1992. Four male Florida panthers were electroejaculated, and semen was cryropreserved. All males examined had semen that was of low concentration, low volume, poor sperm motility, and with > 90% abnormal sperm forms. Sixty-four percent (11 of 17) of all living males have a testicular descent abnormality (usually unilaterally cryptorchid). This year 2 new sub-adult males were captured that were bilaterally cryptorchid, rendering them functionally sterile. A congenital heart defect (atrial septal defect) has recently contributed to the death of 2 panthers and, this year, is seriously compromising a third. The abnormal male seminal, hormonal, and testicular traits coupled with the recent appearance of serious heart defects raise a serious concern for the reproductive potential, genetic health, and ultimate long term survival of this subspecies without genetic intervention.

Annual Performance Report; Florida Panther Biomedical Investigation

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