Bobcat sighting increase

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kai White
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A camouflaged figure silently tracks his prey. Traveling fast and light through urban environments this predator usually avoids contact with local populations in favor of finding his target.

He prefers to hunt at night when his superior vision gives him an edge. The long whiskers on his face are not to grooming standards and his small 12 to 28 pound frame would struggle to carry a large combat ruck-sack.

This predator is no Air Commando, he is a Florida bobcat, Lynx Rufus, and he prefers to hunt small animals like birds, rabbits and rats, not fight in America’s wars.

With a recent increase in bobcat sightings it is important to understand how to protect the base community, ourselves and bobcats from unwanted interactions.

Bobcats are generally beneficial as they help control populations of smaller animals typically considered to be household or yard pests; and unless they are sick, injured or cornered, bobcats are not usually aggressive toward people, states the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

To help protect bobcats, family members, and household pets, please secure trash bins so pets and wild animals are not enticed to enter a populated neighborhood.

“Do not leave any kind of food outside of your home or workplace,” said Patricia Williams, natural and cultural resources program manager with the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. “This attracts wild animals and encourages them to lose their fear of humans and to associate humans with food.”

If base personnel do encounter a bobcat in their community or near their home, discourage the animal from hanging around by yelling or making other noise.

The best way to solve problems with bobcats is to take a proactive approach and secure attractants and deter the animals from becoming comfortable around residences, states the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“Living in this beautiful coastal setting, adjacent to pine forests and wetland habitats, carries an equal responsibility for protection,” Williams said. “Respecting the natural range and habits of many forms of flora and fauna, like flowers, birds, deer, bobcats, snakes and butterflies, is our moral obligation and forms the basis for conservation laws and Air Force regulations.”

If a bobcat is causing property damage, presents a threat to public safety, or is causing an annoyance in, under or upon a building it can be moved and released. Please contact the Northwest Region Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Office at 850-265-3676 for more information on removal of the animal.