2019 Bobcats
Bobcat 300
Adult Female
14 pounds
Captured February 5, 2019
Near Beachwalker County Park
First time capture.
Bobcat 200
Adult Male
18 pounds, 7 ounces
Captured February 6, 2019
The Preserve
First time capture.
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Meet our Bobcats
Trapping for the 2019 season began on February 5, 2019. Stay tuned for updates during the next few weeks. Our bobcats are never harmed in the capturing/collaring process. To learn more about the GPS study visit the research page .
Process
- We use a bantam rooster in a separate and safe enclosure to lure a bobcat into a cage trap.
- The bobcat is sedated, measured, and outfitted with a GPS collar.
- GPS data is sent daily to our biologists from the GPS collar using the local cellular network.
13 years of Bobcat GPS Research on Kiawah
This year marks the 13th consecutive year of Bobcat GPS research on Kiawah Island. This project remains the longest, continuous GPS study on bobcats in the world and was developed by the Town of Kiawah Island, in partnership with the Kiawah Conservancy, in 2007. A total of 83 bobcats have been captured and fitted with GPS collars to date.
Trapping is conducted annually between January and April. Collars are programmed to obtain a specific number of locations per day allowing biologists to identify habitat use patterns during day and nighttime hours, denning sites, travel corridors, survival, dispersal, and more. This information is used to pinpoint specific areas or habitat types on the island that are of vital importance to bobcats and to update the Bobcat Management Guidelines for the island.
This plan provides suggestions and recommendations to all island entities and property owners regarding creation, preservation, and improvement of bobcat habitat.