- Admitted
- September 12, 2025
- Released
- March 27, 2026
- Rescue Location
- Highland County
- Cause of Admission/Condition
- Orphaned
- Status
- Former Patient
Last Updated Jump to patient updates
On September 12, the Wildlife Center admitted a rarely seen patient—a six-week-old Bobcat kitten! The kitten was found alone on a road in Highland County, with no signs of her mother or siblings nearby, and was quickly brought to the Center for care.
Bobcats are secretive animals that are rarely seen by people. Once fully grown, they typically weigh between 10 and 25 pounds and are easily recognized by their short tails, long legs, and reddish-brown fur. These solitary predators are most often found in heavily forested or mountainous areas, where they hunt rabbits, squirrels, and other small game.
Upon admission, the Bobcat kitten was bright and alert. The Center's veterinary team examined her and found that she was thin, dehydrated, and had a necrotic wound on the tip of her tail. Bloodwork showed she was mildly anemic, and a fecal exam revealed she had gastrointestinal parasites—signs that she had been without her mother’s care for some time.
“It’s a little late in the season to see a kitten this young. We're not sure exactly what happened, but she was likely either orphaned or abandoned,” explained Dr. Miranda, one of the Center’s veterinary interns.
After the exam, the veterinary team administered fluids and began anti-parasitic treatment. They also provided a bowl of formula along with a high-protein soft food mix, then settled the kitten in the Center’s Expanded ICU to rest.
Over the next several days, the Bobcat kitten responded well to treatment and gained more than 200 grams. Once stable, the veterinary team anesthetized her to surgically amputate the damaged tip of her tail. The procedure went smoothly, and she is now receiving antibiotics and pain medication while continuing to recover in the ICU. The team reports that the kitten has remained bright and active.
“She is feisty and will hiss, growl, or pounce at us when we enter her enclosure—which is a good thing, because we want her to stay wild and keep her natural fear of humans,” said Alex, the Center’s rehabilitation supervisor. “Our goal is to balance providing care and enrichment while also staying as hands-off as possible."
The current plan is to care for the kitten through the winter, with the goal of releasing her back into the wild next spring, once she is old enough to survive on her own. Until then, staff will continue to closely monitor her progress.
Patient Updates
After 196 days of care at the Center, Bobcat #25-3628 was successfully released back into the wild at a remote location in Highland County. The Center's rehabilitation team, in collaboration with biologists from the Department of Wildlife Resources, selected the site for its remoteness, excellent habitat, and abundant food resources.
When staff opened the crate, the Bobcat was initially wary, remaining inside. After about two minutes, she slowly peeked her head out and took her first steps back into the wild. She paused to look back at the staff, then bounded strongly up the slope until she was out of sight.
“It was the best outcome we could have hoped for,” said Rehabilitation Supervisor Alex. “Seeing her back where she belongs made all the work we put in worth it.”
Check out this video captured from the release!
During the past two weeks, Bobcat #25-3628 has continued to demonstrate her ability to hunt and catch live prey—one of the final milestones in her rehabilitation. Based on her progress, the rehabilitation team is confident that she is ready for release back into the wild. Staff have contacted biologists at the Department of Wildlife Resources to begin planning the release; the tentative plan is to release the Bobcat in Highland County on March 27, when food resources will be more plentiful.
In the meantime, you can continue to watch the Bobcat on the Center’s Critter Cams! Staff are also planning ways to celebrate the Bobcat’s upcoming return to the wild. Stay tuned for more details as the team prepares for “Release Week!”
Bobcat #25-3628 has reached another important rehabilitation milestone—demonstrating appropriate responses to predator calls! On February 7, while the Bobcat slept in her leaf-filled tub, Center staff played recorded coyote vocalizations near her enclosure. The first three-minute recording featured a single adult male coyote giving territorial warning barks, followed by a two-minute recording of multiple coyotes howling. “She was sound asleep and woke up right away,” said Sarah, one of the Center's wildlife rehabilitators. “She oriented toward the sound with her ears, stayed low and tense, and then ran to seek cover and stay hidden—exactly the response we want to see.”
The Bobcat has also made progress in developing her hunting skills. Later that day, after the recordings were played, the team placed several live mice in her enclosure. By the time staff returned to check on her, all had been successfully caught. A week later, on February 13, rehabilitation staff placed dried herring in the river feature in the Bobcat's enclosure and observed her following the scent trails along the water’s edge. On February 14, the rehabilitation team introduced live rats for the first time, gradually increasing prey size as the Bobcat's hunting skills continue to advance. According to Sarah, “The Bobcat is meeting all of her milestones and is on track for a spring release.”
During the past two weeks, Bobcat #25-3628 has continued to do well. In early January, the rehabilitation team began providing live prey for the first time—a critical step in helping the Bobcat develop the hunting skills she will need for release back into the wild. The team is currently offering live prey, including mice and fish, twice per week on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Bobcat’s first live prey experience took place on January 9, when she was offered live mice inside a tub placed within her enclosure. The bottom of the tub was covered with a heavy layer of leaves and substrate, allowing the mice to hide and making the hunting experience more reflective of a natural environment. She was immediately curious and was later observed on camera successfully stalking and capturing the mice.
On January 16, the rehab team conducted a second live prey introduction, this time involving fish. Although the bobcat watched the fish closely, she did not attempt to capture them. The team is now working with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to explore the possibility of providing native fish rather than store-bought fish for future sessions, which they hope will better encourage natural hunting behavior.
Her third experience with live prey was not conducted by the rehab team at all! A chipmunk managed to find its way into the Bobcat's enclosure, giving her the perfect opportunity to prove her capabilities.
In addition to these hunting developments, staff have documented several other milestones, including the Bobcat establishing preferred territory within her enclosure and maintaining a healthy wariness of humans. “We’re starting to see her behaviors shift from kitten-like play to more intentional, wild responses,” said Sarah Densmore, one of the Center’s Wildlife Rehabilitators.
Overall, Bobcat #25-3628 remains healthy, alert, and increasingly aware of her surroundings, often watching and stalking movement outside her enclosure. On January 22, she is scheduled to gain access to the second side of the Large Mammal Isolation enclosure, where staff have created a dynamic “working river” environment complete with a waterfall. The team is eager to observe how she explores and adapts to this expanded space as her rehabilitation continues. Check out the waterfall video below!
Don't forget to tune in to the Center’s Critter Cams to watch the Bobcat's live stream, and enjoy the following video for a quick peek at her hunting practice!
During the past two weeks, Bobcat #25-3628 has settled in well in the Center's Large Mammal Isolation (LMI) enclosure. Rehabilitation staff report that she has been very active, exploring her new environment and consistently displaying the natural behaviors expected of a young wild cat. They note that the Bobcat particularly enjoys the additional climbing opportunities that the LMI enclosure provides.
“Her favorite spots are the highest platform on the climbing structure and the hammock,” said Alex Olvera, the Center's Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor. “One day, we had a hard time finding her until we spotted her nestled in the hammock, peering down at us.”
As the Bobcat continues to grow, staff will soon turn their attention to the next phase of her rehabilitation. “We’re excited to start introducing live prey soon,” said Alex. “This will help her develop the hunting skills she'll need to return to the wild.”
Tune in to the Center’s Critter Cams to watch the Bobcat's livestream, and check out some of the videos staff recently captured!
Bobcat #25-3628 has reached an exciting new milestone in her rehabilitation. On Wednesday, December 17, she was safely sedated, examined, and moved into the Center’s Large Mammal Isolation (LMI) enclosure, which will provide more space as she continues to grow.
During the exam, the veterinary and rehabilitation team performed bloodwork, a full physical, and a dental check. The Bobcat's bloodwork came back within normal limits, and she now weighs 3.33 kg (just over seven pounds). The team noted that the Bobcat has begun losing her deciduous (baby) teeth, and her adult canine teeth are starting to come in.
After the procedure, the Bobcat was closely monitored as she recovered from sedation in LMI’s chute. Once she was fully awake, the team opened the chute and allowed her access to the enclosure. She quickly began exploring her surroundings, investigating the climbing structures, browse, den, and enrichment.
Now settled into LMI, the Bobcat has more space to explore and refine her climbing and hunting skills. She is also now visible on the Center’s Critter Cams! Tune in to watch her in her new environment as she continues preparing for life back in the wild!
Bobcat #25-3628 has continued to make excellent progress during the past several weeks. Due to her large size and related safety concerns, the rehabilitation team is choosing not to weigh her during weekly checks, but they report that her body condition appears ideal. She has developed a thick, healthy coat suited for winter weather and is consistently exhibiting the natural behaviors expected at her age, including climbing, stalking, and pouncing.
The Bobcat currently receives one meal per day and is now eating only whole prey, including a rotation of quail, chicks, mice, rats, and rabbits. On December 4, the rehabilitation team introduced new enrichment by placing fish in a large tub of water—an activity the Bobcat immediately embraced. Rehabilitation Team Lead Mac shared, “She was super intrigued by the fish and managed to get them all out successfully!”
For additional enrichment, the team places whole mice and rats (not live) throughout the enclosure for her to find. Here's a quick glimpse of the Bobcat discovering and “catching” one of the rats:
The team is excited to share that the Bobcat will soon move to the Center’s Large Mammal Isolation (LMI) enclosure. This space will offer expanded room to explore, and, if all goes as planned, she’ll be visible on the Center’s Critter Cams! More updates will follow as she settles into this new environment and prepares for yet another milestone on her path back to the wild.
In the meantime, enjoy one more video of the Bobcat playing with one of her favorite toys!
The young Bobcat kitten continues to make excellent progress. Her weight has steadily increased from 1.7 kg in late October to 2.43 kg as of mid-November—a healthy sign that she’s growing well.
Rehabilitation staff continue to provide daily enrichment, offering new toys, paper bags filled with scent items, and other stimulating objects to encourage natural hunting and play behaviors. Her twice-daily meals now focus primarily on whole-prey items, including chopped mice, with a small portion of her “juvenile mammal meal” mixture topped with formula mush and a jar of meat baby food to support her nutrition.
The Bobcat’s appetite remains strong, and she is consistently eating all of the protein offered. She stays active throughout the day, climbing, hiding, and pouncing on her enrichment items—demonstrating all the right instincts for a young wild cat preparing for life on her own. Take a look at the quick video below to see an example of this!
Our young Bobcat patient continues to do well! She is steadily gaining weight, and rehabilitation staff continue to evaluate her diet each week to ensure she’s growing appropriately.
The bobcat is still receiving twice-daily meals that include soaked dog food, canned food, meat baby food, formula mush, and a variety of proteins. Recently, new protein sources have been added to her diet—including chick, quail, fish, and a specialized bird-of-prey formula—in addition to mice. To encourage her natural hunting behaviors, staff hide small pieces of food throughout her enclosure, which she eagerly seeks out and finds.
She also remains active and playful, often racing through her tunnels, climbing her cat tower, and chasing her hanging ball. She’s quick, alert, and still as feisty as ever—excellent signs for a young wild cat preparing for life back in the wild.
Check out the video below for a quick, little Bobcat hop!
Bobcat #25-3628 continues to do well in her outdoor enclosure. Since moving to one of the Center’s Bear Pens earlier this month, the young cat has become more confident and independent.
By October 20, the young Bobcat had gained more than 400 grams in just two weeks. She remains active and alert, spending much of her time climbing, hiding among leaves, and exploring her enclosure.
To encourage natural behaviors, the rehabilitation team provides daily enrichment with leafy branches, scent boxes, and occasional live prey. Earlier this month, a live mouse was introduced; staff observed the Bobcat tracking its scent trail and prowling the space—a promising sign of healthy predatory instincts.
Her diet continues to transition toward whole prey, with staff offering a mix of chopped mice and a high-protein “mush” blend twice each day. She is eating well and maintaining a strong, appropriately wary attitude toward humans—hiding during checks and avoiding contact.
Rehabilitation staff will continue to monitor her progress and provide enrichment through the winter. If she continues to develop as expected, the goal remains to release her back into the wild next spring.
Check out a couple of videos of the Bobcat and her stuffed animals!
During the past week, Bobcat #25-3628 has continued to do well! On October 6, the rehabilitation team weighed the kitten and found that she was 1.27 kg—big enough to move to a larger enclosure. Later that day, she was transferred to one of the Center's adult bear pens, an area that offers plenty of opportunities to climb and explore. Inside the pen is a custom-built cat tree, multiple hides, and a variety of enrichment items.
After the move, the rehabilitation team closely monitored the Bobcat using a remote camera to assess how she adjusted to her new environment. The team is happy to report that she settled in quickly and has been observed sunbathing, stalking insects, and wrestling with branches in the tree.
Currently, the Bobcat receives two bowls of formula and two bowls of solid food each day. Rehab staff have noted that she is showing increased interest in whole prey and plan to reduce her formula intake to just one bowl soon. To encourage natural behavior, they’ve also added bowls filled with dirt to the enclosure to help her begin caching food, a skill wild bobcats develop as they grow.
Check out videos from the Bobcat's first week in her new enclosure!
This video was taken shortly after the Bobcat was moved to her new enclosure. She was cautious when leaving the crate, but very curious about her new surroundings. It did not take her long to start exploring.
Later that night, the kitten discovered the camera and decided to do some “rearranging”.
One of the Center's students created enrichment for the Bobcat using a tennis ball and rope. She interacts with it constantly, and it is the first step to helping her develop hunting skills such as pouncing and stalking moving objects.
The hunting behavior continues at night! Bobcats are nocturnal, and this would usually be the time they hunt prey. While she hasn't been given live prey yet, she has stalked insects that enter her enclosure.
It's hard to tell, but the rehabilitation team believes the Bobcat is using one of her forage boxes as a “latrine” in this video. It's common for wild felines to choose specific areas as latrines; many instinctively choose water sources.
During the past week, Bobcat kitten #25-3628 has continued to do well! During a re-check exam on September 29, the veterinary team confirmed that her tail injury has fully healed. They also weighed her and found she now weighs 1.04 kg.
The kitten is currently being fed twice a day, with each meal consisting of a bowl of formula equal to half her body weight, as well as a “mush bowl” containing solid foods like pieces of mice. The rehabilitation team has noted she’s showing increasing enthusiasm for solid food and plans to begin weaning her off formula next week.
The kitten is currently housed in the Center's Expanded ICU, but the rehabilitation team is preparing a new space for her in one of the adult bear pens—secure concrete-block enclosures that will give her more space to run, explore, and climb. To support her development, the Center’s Maintenance Technician, Mathew, is building a custom cat tree to help the kitten practice her climbing skills. The move is scheduled for next week once the new enclosure is fully set up.
In the meantime, the kitten will continue to be closely monitored via remote cam. Want to know what she is up to all day? Check out some of these video clips from the past week!
