April 14, 2021

First Bobcat Den of the Year

Town Biologists were thrilled to discover the year’s first bobcat den on Monday, April 12 along Ocean Course Drive! Bobcat 550 had two 8-10 day old male kittens. The kittens were microchipped, so Town Biologists will be able to identify them again. More information on our bobcat research is available here.

Unfortunately, due to pruning activity in the area Monday afternoon, crews unintentionally disturbed the den. When Town Biologists inspected the site yesterday, only one kitten was in the den, and the mother was not present. 

Town Biologists revisited the den site today, and no kittens were present. Biologists were able to locate the female bobcat using her VHF frequency approximately 50 yards to the west of the original den site. It is common for females to move their kittens after disturbance, so the mother has likely moved the kittens to a new den site.  

The original den site was located on property preserved by the Kiawah Conservancy. The pruning activity was unauthorized and is being investigated. The Kiawah Conservancy will be releasing more information later today.