Ohio bobcat making a comeback
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
An endangered species is seeing some population resurgence in the southern Ohio area, and while that is positive for the animal and Ohio residents, it is also increasing the frequency in which area residents may encounter the animal.
The Ohio bobcat had large populations in Ohio "in early settlement times," according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Since 1997 ODNR has been systematically monitoring bobcats in Ohio. By 1850, bobcats were considered "extirpated" from Ohio, meaning they were in the area during European settlement, but has since disappeared from the state.
Kevin Behr, a wildlife investigator for ODNR told The Highland County Press this week that bobcat numbers are increasing, which is an indicator that their habitat and environment area improving.
Behr said that bobcats do not generally pose a threat to humans or domestic animals.
In November, a Cynthiana resident was cited for accidentally killing a bobcat, Behr said.
"You say 'bobcat' and people think they are going to post a threat to people, but that is not the case at all," Behr said. "The bobcat that was killed in November was 12 pounds. A lot of house cats are bigger than 12 pounds. They are usually very quiet, and are very seclusive. There are no documented cases of a bobcat attacking anyone. It is not a threat to people."
The local bobcat was killed by accident, he said.
"A bobcat was harvested by accident near the Highland County/Pike County line," Behr said. "As soon as the responsible party figured out this thing was endangered, they reported themselves. We worked through the case and they paid restitution on the animal."
The fine for killing an endangered species is $1,000, he said.
Bobcats tend to eat small mammals, Behr said, such as squirrels, mice or occasionally rabbits.
"Like any animal on the endangered species list, we're interested in knowing about one, if there is a road killing, or any sightings," Behr said. "There may be a chance it could eventually be de-listed, but as of now it is still an endangered species. If an animal is observed we like to know the date, location, county, nearest township, if possible, GPS coordinates, the observer's name, telephone and address. We're starting to see them show up on trail camera photos."
If area residents spot a bobcat, they can contact ODNR by calling (800) WILDLIFE, or the Xenia office at (937) 372-9261.
Apex animals like bobcats – and even the with threatened species such as bald eagles – are the top of the food chain. When their population numbers grow, it is an indicator that the overall environment is getting better, according to Behr.
"It's an example of the overall status of the environment, that it is conducive for endangered species to make a comeback," Behr said. "It shows that things are good down below on the food chain, that their habitat is improving, the environment is getting better, and they are getting more tolerant of people."
A 2011 report compiled by the ODNR Waterloo Wildlife Reach Station in Athens shows that there were 266 unverified bobcat sightings in 2009, and 301 in 2010.
There has only been one other sighting of a bobcat in Highland County, and that was in the Rocky Fork Lake area, he said.
While they can be hard to spot in the woods - especially if people don't know what they are looking for or at - the more wildlife officers know about the local population the better.
"I think it's amazing that we've got bobcats in the area and that they are making a comeback," Behr said.[[In-content Ad]]
The Ohio bobcat had large populations in Ohio "in early settlement times," according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Since 1997 ODNR has been systematically monitoring bobcats in Ohio. By 1850, bobcats were considered "extirpated" from Ohio, meaning they were in the area during European settlement, but has since disappeared from the state.
Kevin Behr, a wildlife investigator for ODNR told The Highland County Press this week that bobcat numbers are increasing, which is an indicator that their habitat and environment area improving.
Behr said that bobcats do not generally pose a threat to humans or domestic animals.
In November, a Cynthiana resident was cited for accidentally killing a bobcat, Behr said.
"You say 'bobcat' and people think they are going to post a threat to people, but that is not the case at all," Behr said. "The bobcat that was killed in November was 12 pounds. A lot of house cats are bigger than 12 pounds. They are usually very quiet, and are very seclusive. There are no documented cases of a bobcat attacking anyone. It is not a threat to people."
The local bobcat was killed by accident, he said.
"A bobcat was harvested by accident near the Highland County/Pike County line," Behr said. "As soon as the responsible party figured out this thing was endangered, they reported themselves. We worked through the case and they paid restitution on the animal."
The fine for killing an endangered species is $1,000, he said.
Bobcats tend to eat small mammals, Behr said, such as squirrels, mice or occasionally rabbits.
"Like any animal on the endangered species list, we're interested in knowing about one, if there is a road killing, or any sightings," Behr said. "There may be a chance it could eventually be de-listed, but as of now it is still an endangered species. If an animal is observed we like to know the date, location, county, nearest township, if possible, GPS coordinates, the observer's name, telephone and address. We're starting to see them show up on trail camera photos."
If area residents spot a bobcat, they can contact ODNR by calling (800) WILDLIFE, or the Xenia office at (937) 372-9261.
Apex animals like bobcats – and even the with threatened species such as bald eagles – are the top of the food chain. When their population numbers grow, it is an indicator that the overall environment is getting better, according to Behr.
"It's an example of the overall status of the environment, that it is conducive for endangered species to make a comeback," Behr said. "It shows that things are good down below on the food chain, that their habitat is improving, the environment is getting better, and they are getting more tolerant of people."
A 2011 report compiled by the ODNR Waterloo Wildlife Reach Station in Athens shows that there were 266 unverified bobcat sightings in 2009, and 301 in 2010.
There has only been one other sighting of a bobcat in Highland County, and that was in the Rocky Fork Lake area, he said.
While they can be hard to spot in the woods - especially if people don't know what they are looking for or at - the more wildlife officers know about the local population the better.
"I think it's amazing that we've got bobcats in the area and that they are making a comeback," Behr said.[[In-content Ad]]