First Case of Staggering Disease Observed in Colorado Mountain Lion

by
posted on July 18, 2024
Mountain Lion Lede

A brand new study out this week in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal has revealed that the rustrela virus—most commonly known for the "staggering disease" it causes—has been found for the first time in a North American mountain lion. In May 2023, the mountain lion was found by a homeowner in Douglas County, Colo., sheltering between her basement window well and a nearby spruce tree. Confused by the behavior of the generally aloof animal, the homeowner filmed it dragging itself forward with its front paws, unable to stand or use its hind legs. After Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers tranquilized then euthanized the animal (with a shot to the chest to protect the brain for a necropsy), a tissue analysis unveiled the presence of rustrela virus, which causes the fatal "staggering" symptoms in domestic cats.

Diagnosis of the condition was challenging according to CPW wildlife pathologist, Dr. Karen Fox, particularly considering the unprecedented nature of such a discovery in an American lion. Due to these complex conditions, final collaboration and confirmation was provided by researchers at the Friedrich-Leoffler-Institut in Germany. In Europe, there are considerably more instances of the rustrela virus, with it causing staggering disease not just in cats, but in a wide variety of other animals such as rodents, marsupials and even a donkey. Despite this, the connection between the virus and the disease was only discovered "recently," according to Fox.

Dr. Fox, who also serves as a research scientist at Colorado State University Fort Collins (CSU), emphasized it is not currently known how widespread the neurological disease is, either in domestic cats or the wildlife population. “Now that we know what we’re looking for, it should be easier to find new cases if they are out there,” Fox said. “With continued collaboration, we plan to learn what we can from our colleagues in Europe while we continue to look for new cases of staggering disease here in Colorado.”

Any Coloradans, or visitors to the state, who observe mountain lions that are staggering, having trouble walking or behaving abnormally, should contact the local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office to speak with a wildlife officer and report the behavior.

Latest

Pease And Venison Lede 2
Pease And Venison Lede 2

Recipe: Creamed Venison and Peas

Brad Fenson creams together peas and venison in this wild-game take on a British classic.

Airport Conversation Leads to Wildlife-Related Charges

CDFW officers catch a pair of poachers after overhearing them on a plane.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Colorado’s Excise Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Sales

On March 31, the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), together with the Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Colorado State Shooting Association, Magnum Shooting Center and an NRA member, filed a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s 6.5-percent excise tax on the retail sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts and ammunition.

Tested: Magnum Research 10mm Magnum BFR Revolver

This 6-shot, single-action revolver may well be the first factory-made handgun chambered in this caliber in over three decades.

Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Applications Being Accepted

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearm industry, has opened the application period for the 2025 Hunting Heritage Trust Grants. They offer a total of $100,000 in financial support for programs that work to expand participation in hunting and the shooting sports.

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.