New Bobcat GPS Study
The Town of Kiawah Island, in partnership with the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy, is conducting a multi-year study of fine-scale habitat use by bobcats (Felis rufus) on Kiawah Island using global positioning system (GPS) tracking collars. 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.
2007 Pilot Bobcat GPS Project
A pilot GPS study was initiated in 2007 during which 5 bobcats were fitted with GPS collars for a 1-3 month duration. All 5 of the GPS collars have dropped off of the animals and the data has been downloaded and analyzed. Click here to view the final report for the pilot project.
2008 Bobcat GPS Project
Trapping for the 2008 study was conducted during March-April. 15 unique bobcats were captured during 5 weeks of trapping effort, including 3 adult females, 4 adult males, and 8 juvenile bobcats. Eight bobcats received Televilt GPS/UHF/VHF collars which will allow for close monitoring of their movement patterns and habitat use for up to 2 years. The new collars are performing adequately in the field and the preliminary data is beginning to show some interesting results. The home ranges of the 8 collared cats have fairly equal distribution from west to east on Kiawah and encompass most of the high ground on the island. Both of our east end (Cougar Island) cats utilize Little Bear Island, while bobcat 165.180, a juvenile male located on the western portion of Kiawah, is spending about 60 percent of his time on Seabrook Island, crossing by way of the Kiawah Island bridge.
One bobcat den was located during 2008. On May 1st, Bobcat 165.421, collared in the 2004 VHF study, was located on Captain Sam’s Spit with 2 healthy male kittens approximately 2 weeks old.
2009 Bobcat GPS Project
Trapping for the 2009 study was conducted during February-April. 15 unique bobcats were captured during 8 weeks of trapping effort, including 3 adult females, 9 adult males, and 5 juvenile bobcats. Eight bobcats (6 adult males, 2 adult females) received Televilt GPS collars and 2 bobcats (1 adult male and 1 adult female) received Telemetry Solutions GPS collars. Each collar design should last 8-12 months in the field. All but one collar are performing adequately in the field. The apparent home ranges of the 10 collared cats cover all parts of Kiawah Island, though 3 of the male cats spend a substantial amount of time on neighboring Seabrook and Johns Island. Two of the three female bobcats have had kittens during 2009. Additional information and pictures coming soon.