Injured bobcat recovering
By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published December 11, 2008 at 2:03 p.m.
Updated December 11, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.
Photo by File Photo
This young bobcat survived an accident in September that killed its sibling.
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The young female bobcat injured on C-470 in September has survived surgery and rehabilitation and likely can look forward to a long life hunting rodents, experts say.
She and her sister were hit by a car about a mile north of the Morrison exit on Sept. 23. Her sibling died.
There was no sign of a mother bobcat at the scene.
Lakewood Animal Control and Colorado Division of Wildlife officers arranged for the bobcat to be treated at Deer Creek Animal Hospital in Littleton, where veterinarians repaired her two broken legs.
The animal was later transferred to the Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Larkspur.
The bobcat has doubled in weight to 14 pounds, according to center founder Donna Ralph, and X-rays show that her legs healed properly.
"We are very optimistic she will be released" into the wild, to search for her own food and, someday, have young bobcats of her own, Ralph said.
Bobcats at a glance
Often mistaken for lynxes, the young can even be mistaken for mountain lions.
Range: Found widely across North America, including all over Colorado.
Diet: Primarily rabbits; also mice, voles and birds.
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December 11, 2008
2:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
OldSailor writes:
They are beautiful animals, I hope she has a complete recovery.
December 11, 2008
2:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Eddymike writes:
It is sad that only one of the bobcats will make it, but I laud the Deer Creek Animal Hospital for being able to save her. Let's just make sure that idiot in Arvada who killed the Jack Russell terrier doesn't have access to this gorgeous animal.
December 11, 2008
3:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
dawnmarie01 writes:
I agree - let's make sure that Arvada idiot doesn't have access to anyone or anything for a long while!
December 11, 2008
6:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fun4me writes:
The bobcat's are beautiful. I saw one laying in my yard and took some pictures and then it got up and slowly walked into the bushes. It looked just like this one but was older and larger. Same colorings.
December 12, 2008
7:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
sheepherder writes:
"and likely can look forward to a long life hunting rodents, experts say."
Don't tell PETA that!