Panthers should not be pets! Lest anyone should get the idea that a panther would make a great pet, the answer is a firm “no.” Panthers are wild animals.
Historically Native
In fact, panthers are historically native to the Big Bend area of Florida. Two panthers born in captivity were brought to the Tallahassee Museum in Florida in the spring of 2015.
The Museum houses about 130 animals in a naturalistic environment. These animals help educate the public about wildlife that originated in the area, or animals that were kept on typical farmsteads during the 1880s.
Injury
Due to an unknown cause, one of the panthers living at the Museum began having difficulty walking in June 2016. Veterinary diagnostics revealed disc injuries, resulting in two spinal surgeries. Despite this intervention, the panther was still knuckling badly.
Normally, staff members have very limited “protected contact” with the panther. This panther’s particular needs have necessitated more contact than is usual.
Therapy
Aqua puncture and massage therapies have been utilized, with some success. Then a staff member suggested trying a wheelchair.
A Walkin’ Wheels was brought in, with the immediate results showing promise.
“As soon as the panther got in the cart, her feet started moving,” reported Shelby Bush, lead keeper at the Museum.
Future Uncertain
But the panther’s progress has been unsteady, with the prognosis still unclear. Use of the wheelchair is being used extremely cautiously. Hopefully, limited use of the wheels will give the panther just enough support to allow it to exercise its legs and regain muscle tone and mass.
Let’s hope the panther can fully recover and be running on its own again very soon.
All images courtesy of Tallahassee Museum.
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