July 27, 2020
Town Introduces Become a Bobcat Guardian Pledge Program
Kiawah’s historically healthy bobcat population has been sharply declining over the last two years. We now know that second-generation anticoagulant (SGAs) rodenticides are a major contributing factor and are responsible for at least seven bobcat deaths in the last year. Biologists estimate Kiawah has ten or fewer bobcats on the island at this time, down from a historic population of 30-35. Kiawah’s bobcat population may never recover unless action is taken now.
The Town has received an inspiring amount of support for bobcat preservation efforts and is introducing a new initiative to mobilize that passion. On Monday, July 27, 2020, the Town of Kiawah Island released The Bobcat Guardian program which invites the community (residents, businesses, and pest management providers) to pledge to eliminate SGAs rodenticides on Kiawah.
Become a Bobcat Guardian
We need community-wide participation to mitigate the issue and save our bobcat population! Eliminating the toxic SGA foursome will ensure fewer poisoned prey entering the food system, and our bobcats have a growing chance to thrive once again. Take the pledge that you have either told you pest control provider: “I do not authorize the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, and Difethialone) on my property and to use alternative methods” OR, “I personally commit not to use the above products on my property in my pest control methods.”
Pledge Forms
Pledge participants will be listed on www.savekiawahbobcats.com alongside business partners and pest management providers who have committed to eliminating their use of SGAs on Kiawah.
Bobcat Guardian Providers & Business Partners
The Town would like to thank the pest management providers and business partners who quickly answered this call to action. You can view a list of those who have pledged at www.savekiawahbobcats.com. We welcome additional applications, forms for both providers and partners are available on the website.