BOBCAT #1 Shannan                             

<<Bobcat # 1, a young adult female weighing 12.6 pounds in capture cage

Ten bobcat cage traps, designed and built by retired Arizona Game and Fish Furbearer biologist Ron Day, were set on Monday, November 16th 2020.  Traps were set on public lands in and around the Gates Pass area and Feliz Paseo County Park on the western edge of Tucson.  They were baited with a variety of sight and scent baits in areas we would expect bobcats to travel -such as washes. We had 9 collars total to deploy on bobcats this fall. 

BOBCAT #2 Morgan                           

<<Bobcat #2, a 13.6 pound adult female, in capture cage, with wildlife biologist Ron Day

The next day, we had two bobcats in traps in the Gates Pass Area. Bobcat #1 was a 12.6-pound young female that we believe has not yet had her first litter.  Bobcat #2 was a 13.6-pound older female who had definitely nursed kittens in the past. Both bobcats were captured within .25 miles of houses or other buildings.  

VETERINARIANS AT WORK 

<<Dr. Erica Giles of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital prepares to immobilize our first bobcat capture

Dr. Erica Giles, DVM, of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital here in Tucson, administered the chemical immobilization drugs, and monitored vital signs while the rest of  the team weighed, measured, and fitted a radio collars to Bobcat #1 and #2.  Both bobcats were given reversal drugs within about 30 minutes and then allowed to leave in their own time. (The veterinarians are donating their time and their considerable expertise to the project which is  greatly appreciated. ) 

Team members waited quietly nearby quietly until the bobcats regained consciousness and were able to walk away.  

On Wednesday, November 18 we received our first 4 GPS locations for each bobcat  Both had moved .5-.75 miles from their capture location, and the radio collars were functioning properly.     

BOBCAT #3 Hal                                  

<<Dr. Ericka Johnson of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital monitors Bobcat #3 while biologist  Al LeCount fits the radio collar

Thursday, November 19, we had captured a 17.2-pound adult male who was also fitted with a radio collar.  Dr. Ericka Johnson, DVM, also of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, administered the immobilization and reversal drugs and monitored vital signs while we fitted the radio collar.  We greatly appreciate the time and expertise both veterinarians are donating to this project.       

 BOBCAT #4 Dave                              

<<Bobcat #2 being fitted with a satellite radio collar

On Friday morning the 20th, we captured a 20-pound adult male in a bio-corridor near the Starr Pass Resort.  He was also fitted with a radio collar.

All four bobcats appeared to be healthy and in good condition, given that it has been an exceptionally hot, dry summer and fall.