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    Meet our Bobcats

    Trapping for the 2020 season was conducted during February, March and October.   A total of 5 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 .

    2020 Bobcats

    Bobcat 550

    Adult Male
    17 pounds, 10 ounces
    Captured February 16, 2020
    Parkside villas
    Recapture from 2019.

    Died of anticoagulant poisoning 5/19/20.

     

    Bobcat 600

    Adult Female
    17 pounds, 6 ounces
    Captured February 17, 2020
    The Preserve
    Recapture from 2019.

    Died of anticoagulant poisoning 6/10/20.

     

    Bobcat 500

    Adult female
    13 pounds,
    Captured March 10, 2020
    Willet Island
    First time capture

     

     

    Bobcat 250

    Adult Female
    15 pounds, 1 ounce
    Captured March 10, 2020
    The Preserve
    Tagged as a kitten in April 2019. Offspring of 2020 Bobcat 600.

    Died from vehicle collision 8/11/20.

     

     

    Bobcat 450

    Adult Female
    13 pounds, 3 ounces
    Captured October 18, 2020
    Captain Sam’s Spit
    Originally captured as an adult on April 4, 2008.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    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.

    14 years of Bobcat GPS Research on Kiawah 

    This year marks the 14th 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 88 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