MORGAN HILL
– The two bobcat kittens rescued in April have spent the summer
learning how to catch mice, fend for themselves and, above all, to
fear humans. Next week the still-wild animals will be released back
into the wild near San Luis Obispo, their original home.
MORGAN HILL – The two bobcat kittens rescued in April have spent the summer learning how to catch mice, fend for themselves and, above all, to fear humans. Next week the still-wild animals will be released back into the wild near San Luis Obispo, their original home.
The release will be another success for the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, which developed the program.
On Thursday, Samantha and Miguel had their final checkup by veterinarian Shanna Compton at the Animal Care Center. Miguel grew from 268.5 grams at two weeks to 5.74 kilos, a substantial increase. Samantha was 310 grams at two weeks and now weighs slightly less than her brother. Both received a clean bill of health.
The kittens never came into contact with humans because their chief caretaker, Evelyn Davis, would don a “bobcat mom” suit that masked her human scent with herbs and, as the months went on picked up more and more bobcat smell as the kittens played with their “mom.”
“They are aggressive with humans and other bobcats,” Davis said. “They only cuddle with mom.”
Davis said that Samantha enjoys sitting on Davis’ head.
It costs WERC about $70 a month to feed one bobcat. Davis said they relied heavily on the generosity of Simonsen’s Lab for donations. A $400 donation from Jenny Patterson and Christine Phillips came at the right time since WERC is also raising two more bobcat kittens. The two women bid that amount to be able to attend the final vet visit and next week’s release. WERC’s wildlife program happily accepts donations.
The WERC Web site is www.werc-ca.org and address is WERC, P.O. Box 1105, Morgan Hill, CA. 95038-1105.
