The Town of Kiawah Island takes a very active role in managing the natural resources on the island. From the wooded uplands to the beaches, animals thrive in the rich natural environment. Deer, bobcats, gray foxes, raccoons, river otters, and ospreys are just a few of the many animals that can be found on Kiawah Island.

Wildlife management on Kiawah is handled by a full-time wildlife biologist and wildlife research assistant in cooperation with the Town's Environmental Committee, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other island entities, such as the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy (KINHC), Resort Nature Center and Community Association. The Town and KINHC have funded and supported several research projects and programs, many of which are ongoing, in order to better understand and manage the wildlife species on the island.  Please click on the links to the right for additional information on these projects as well as some of the birds and animals that call Kiawah Island home.

For questions or comments concerning any of the Town's wildlife rules and regulations, research, and management practices, please contact Jim Jordan or Eric Rice at (843) 768-9166. 

CURRENT WILDLIFE NEWS The Town of Kiawah Island, in partnership with the Kiawah Island Habitat Conservancy, is conducting a study of fine-scale habitat use by bobcats (Felis rufus) on Kiawah Island using global positioning system (GPS) tracking collars (View Bobcat GPS Study Home Page). Bobcats play a very important role in the Kiawah Island ecosystem by helping to control small mammal and white-tailed deer populations. A healthy bobcat population is necessary to maintain the balance of wildlife communities currently present on Kiawah Island. Four bobcats were fitted with collars during March and tracked extensively for approximately one month.  An additional bobcat was captured in April and tracked until June.  All 5 of the GPS collars have dropped off of the animals and the data has been downloaded.  Each GPS collar  contained approximately 2,400 individual locations for each bobcat.  These data are being examined to determine preferred habitat types, travel corridors, and other areas of importance to bobcats on Kiawah Island. The findings from this study, and future GPS studies, will aid in making future land management and conservation decisions.  The final pilot study report is now available by clicking here. Bobcat Location Maps and Information Male Bobcat 099                Information Sheet           All GPS Points           Day/Night Locations Female Bobcat 118            Information Sheet           All GPS Points           Day/Night Locations Male Bobcat 138                Information Sheet          All GPS Points            Day/Night Locations Male Bobcat 158                Information Sheet          All GPS Points            Day/Night Locations Female Bobcat 248            Information Sheet          All GPS Points            Day/Night Locations Bobcat GPS Pilot Study Final Report For more detailed maps and information, contact Jim Jordan or Eric Rice at (843) 768-9166.