Surrogate bobcat mothers sprang into action when a 7-week-old
female bobcat arrived in Morgan Hill needing care.
Surrogate bobcat mothers sprang into action when a 7-week-old female bobcat arrived in Morgan Hill needing care.
The bobcat, named Suisun, was found floating in Solano County’s Putah Creek on May 16, and pulled from the water by a fisherman.
The bobcat ended up at Morgan Hill’s Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC) because of the organization’s nationwide reputation for raising baby bobcats to be released back into their native habitat able to care for themselves.
The center has taken care of more than 20 of the spotted cats during the 10 years the program has operated, said director Sue Howell.
Their procedures involve never allowing the cats to have human contact, except when they visit the veterinarian – an experience that promotes the fear of humans necessary to wildland survival.
When at home, they are cared for by a series of ”bobcat moms” – dressed in costumes made from spotted bobcat-like fabric and smelling of eucalyptus leaves and the comforting odor of bobcat urine.
Evelyn Davis is an associate who is hosting Suisun at home in a specially prepared room, once Davis’ daughter’s room.
Davis took Suisun directly to the Animal Care Center where bobcats receive medical care.
Veterinarian Shanna Compton checked her out and sent her home to Davis’ room lined with plastic, trees and shrubs.
“Even her lungs were fine,” Davis said, “and we expected to find water in them after her trip down the river.”
But after a week the cat, who seemed healthy, began to produce bloody diarrhea and went back to the vet.
“The tests were negative,” Davis said, “but they gave her antibiotics anyway, just to be sure.”
Suisun’s main “mom” said she is feisty and plays really well, after an timid period.
It took several days to get the cat to quiet down, Davis said, “but it was evident that she was lonely and needed contact.”
The “moms” used a teddy bear to break the ice, rubbing her, patting her and after a week the caretakers can play with her, clean her up and, soon, begin to teach her how to be a bobcat, another center specialty.
“She’ll be with me another 10 days,” Davis said, “and then should be well enough to go to WERC.”
Suisun will remain at the center until she is about 6-months-old, in September or October, when she will be released to a suitable spot near where she was found.
To raise funds for its operations, the center will auction a chance to be present during the cat’s release. The auction runs on E-Bay from June 1 to 14.
As always, Davis said, food and money are problems. Suisun will consume about 110 pounds of mice during her six-month stay.
Davis says she isn’t soliciting actual dead mice but donations of money are always welcome.
The WERC website, for information and donations, is www.werc-ca.org and address is W.E.R.C, P.O. Box 1105, Morgan Hill, CA. 95038-1105.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@*************es.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
