The Woodlands Nature Station is happy to announce a new, frisky resident in our bobcat enclosure.
The Nature Station is a permanent, educational home to several species of native wildlife who cannot be released into the wild due to injury or imprinting– being too comfortable around humans.
A Bobcat Story
The 10-month old bobcat made Nature Station his home on March 20, 2017. He was hit by a car as a young, 8-week old kitten and suffered back leg trauma.
Caring individuals took him to Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Joelton, TN. Walden’s Puddle staff successfully repaired his leg injury from the accident but it was a long recovery. During that time he had become too comfortable around humans, losing his natural fear of people.
This bobcat could no longer be released into the wild and had to be placed in a licensed, permanent educational home.
Bobcats at Land Between the Lakes
Nature Station’s bobcat of 22 years, passed away last August of old age. Bobcats, like house cats, rarely live past twenty years and only live about 10 years in the wild.
Land Between the Lakes is estimated to have 200-300 bobcats. Bobcats have been recovering their old range and can be found in 47 out of 50 states.
A New Life
Our bobcat seems to be enjoying his new surroundings. Currently weighing in at 16 pounds with kitten-like features, he will grow over the next year to become a mature male bobcat weighing 35 pounds.
Visit our new bobcat seven days a week from 10am-5pm at Woodlands Nature Station.
I hope to see you there!
John Pollpeter
Lead Naturalist at Woodlands Nature Station
