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    Meet our Bobcats

    Trapping for the 2017 season began on January 25, 2017 and is ongoing. The latest collared bobcats are below. Stay tuned for trapping updates in the coming weeks. Our bobcats are never harmed in the capturing/collaring process. To learn more about the GPS study visit the research page .

    2017 Bobcats

     

     

    First Bobcat Den of the Season

    On March 31st, Wildlife biologists found a bobcat den site containing two male kittens close to Flyway Drive hidden in the dunes. The kittens were three weeks old and both weighed 2 lbs. The kittens were pit tagged by biologists.  Filipe DeAndrade from Nat Geo Wild was here to capture the discovery for Nat Geo Wild facebook live video series.

     

    Bobcat 6

    Bobcat 800

    19 lbs, 6 oz Adult Male
    Captured & Collared:  3/2/2017
    Location:Ocean Park.
    Was collared last year as a juvenile male

     

     

     

    Bobcat 5

     

    Juvenile Male

    13 lb, 5 oz
    Captured: 2/27/2017 Not collared.
    Location: The Preserve.
    Was tagged as a kitten in 2016 near Ruddy Duck Ct. His brother was captured and released back on February 15, also in the Preserve.

     

     

     

    Bobcat 4

     Bobcat 950

    17 lbs, 4 oz. Adult female
    Captured & Collared:  2/26/2017
    Location: Near Parkside Villas
    First time this bobcat has been captured.

     

     

     

    Bobcat 3

    Bobcat 900

    23 lbs, 9 oz. Adult Male
    Captured & Collared:  2/25/2017
    Location: Near Beachwalker County Park
    Was collared last year as a juvenile male.

     

     

     

     

    Bobcat 850

     Bobcat 850

    15 lb 11 oz Male
    Captured & Collared: 2/15/2017.
    Location: Park side villas
    The first collared bobcat of the season and the first time this bobcat has been captured. Don’t worry, he’s just a little sleepy.

     

     

     

    IMG_6953

    Juvenile Male

    Captured: 2/15/2017 Released without a collar.
    Location:  The Preserve
    He was PIT tagged as a kitten at a den site off of Bufflehead last year.

     

    Meet previous years Bobcats:

    Bobcat Research Info

     

    Watch a release video from last season

     

    Process

    Our Process for Capture & Collaring Bobcats:

    • We use a rooster in a separate and safe enclosure to lure a bobcat into the trap.
    • The bobcat is sedated, measured, and outfitted with a GPS collar.
    • Each bobcat is assigned a number which becomes the collar’s radio frequency where they can be individually tracked.
    • Biologist  locate each bobcat every few weeks and download the location date.

    11 years of Bobcat GPS Research on Kiawah 

    This year marks the 11th 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 69 bobcats have been captured and fitted with GPS collars to date and 6 additional collars are scheduled for deployment during 2017 featured above. 

    Trapping began in late January and continue through February.  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