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    Meet our Bobcats

    Trapping for the 2018 season was conducted for 2 weeks between February and March, 2018.  A total of 8 unique bobcats were captured and 4 received GPS collars.  Our bobcats are never harmed in the capturing/collaring process. To learn more about the GPS study visit the research page .

    2018 Bobcats

     

    Bobcat 250

    17 lbs, 5 oz Adult Female.
    Captured:  2/14/18
    Location: Ocean Park.
    First time capture.

     

     

     

    IMG_2512

    Bobcat 2

    15 lbs, 10 oz Juvenile Male
    Captured:  2/15/18
    Location: Near Beachwalker County Park.
    First time capture.

     

     

     

     

    Bobcat 3

    12 lbs. Juvenile Female.
    Captured:  2/16/18
    Location: The Preserve
    First time capture.  Too small to collar.

     

     

     

     

     

    Bobcat 152018 Bobcat 1500

    20 lbs, 1 oz. Adult Male.
    Captured: 3/23/18
    Location: Ocean Park.
    He was originally captured on 2-14-17 (15 lbs, 11 oz)
    near Parkside Villas and fitted with Collar 850.

     

     

     

    Bobcat 5

    12 lbs., 4 oz. Juvenile Male.
    Captured:  3/23/18
    Location: The Preserve
    First time capture.  Released, no collar.

     

     

     

     

    Bobcat 750 2018 Bobcat 750

    20 lbs, 12 oz. Adult Male.
    Captured: 3/23/18
    Location: Parkside Villas.
    First time capture.

     

     

     

    Bobcat 450

    19 lbs, 9 oz. Subadult Male.
    Captured: 3/24/18
    Location: Parkside Villas.
    First time capture.

     

     

     

     

    Bobcat 8 2018 Bobcat 8

    23 lbs, 12 oz. Adult Male.
    Captured: 3/24/18
    Location: Ocean Park.
    First time capture. Released, no collar.

    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 79 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 on the Bobcat GPS Research