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    Meet our Bobcats

    Trapping for the 2019 season began on February 5, 2019 and ended on March 1, 2019.  A total of 6 bobcats were captured and fitted with GPS collars.  Our bobcats are never harmed in the capturing/collaring process.  To learn more about the GPS study, visit the research page .

    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.

     

     

    Bobcat 250

    Adult female
    13 lbs, 7 oz
    Captured February 12, 2019
    Near Beachwalker County Park
    First captured in 2017 near Parkside Villas as Bobcat 950

     

     

    Bobcat 350

    Adult Female
    15 lbs, 3 oz
    Captured February 12, 2019
    The Preserve
    First captured in 2018 as a juvenile in The Preserve

     

     

     

    Bobcat 400

    Adult Male
    26 lbs, 3 oz
    Captured February 13, 2019
    Willet Island
    First captured in 2018 as an adult male, Willet Island, not collared

     

     

     

    Bobcat 450

    Adult Male
    26 lbs, 5 oz
    Captured March 1, 2019
    Near The Sanctuary Hotel
    Collared in 2016 (Bobcat 900) near the V-Gate and in 2017 (Bobcat 225) near Beachwalker County Park

     

    View Current GPS Tracking Map

    Meet previous years Bobcats:

    Bobcat Research Info

     

    Watch a release video from last season

     

    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.  

    Learn more about our Bobcat GPS Research