CALGARY – A bobcat was spotted in Calgary’s southwest community of Oakridge on Monday night.
Alexa Crozier said she saw the animal at around 5 p.m. on Oakwood Drive.
“It finally found prey as I caught a photo of it with a small animal (believed to be a squirrel or rabbit) in its mouth,” she wrote in an email to Global News.
Crozier said the cat went into neighbours’ yards and eventually settled in a backyard with its prey. She was hoping to warn residents to watch their pets.
A spokesman for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General said local Fish and Wildlife officers were aware of the situation.
“Bobcats have lived in that community (and others) in Calgary for many, many years, and most of the residents are used to seeing them around,” Brendan Cox added.
The Ministry says bobcats aren’t considered a public safety concern, but they can get aggressive if cornered or if they feel threatened.
The animals normally prey on squirrels and rabbits, and they may venture into urban areas in search of these prey animals because there aren’t many other predators in urban areas.
Tips to prevent bobcats from coming into your yard:
• Close off spaces under decks or front steps and by trim any dense foliage from your property. This reduces the available shelter for both bobcats and their prey.
• Reduce attractants on your property by picking any ripe or fallen fruit and storing it in wildlife resistant air-tight containers
• Put your garbage out the morning of pickup rather than the night before
• Remove bird feeders from your property
• Pets should be kept on a leash or indoors
Sightings can phoned in to the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
Comments