Carolina Wildlife Care Needs Your Help to Save 3 Bobcat Kittens!

[Are_grits_groceries]

Three newborn bobcat kittens were brought to CWC on April 22nd after being rescued from under an abandoned home in Newberry County that was being demolished. Efforts to reunite mom with the young bobcats were unsuccessful and now they need our help in returning them back into their rightful place in the wild.

The bobcats kittens — two males named Odin and Bo, plus a female, Teal — had no chance of survival without the care of a mother. So with the help of Project Pet in Columbia, Carolina Wildlife Care brought in Zoe, a rescued shelter cat that actually resembles a bobcat herself, to act of a surrogate mother to these growing kittens. Zoe immediately took to the bobcat kittens as if they were her own, cleaning them and gently nuzzling them alongside her own two kittens.

Having the baby bobcats fed and nurtured by a cat similar to themselves is an important first step in keeping a natural fear of humans instilled in the young bobcats, a trait that is imperative to their survival. Zoe further provides them warmth and play time with the other kittens assist in the bobcat’s learning of vital socialization skills.

Between 5-6 weeks old, the weaning process begins for the bobcats. Odin, Bo, and Teal will say good-bye to Zoe as they grow too big to remain with her. The young bobcats are introduced to solid foods during this time and given more room to run, play and practice many of the skills necessary to survive in the wild.

It is a long journey costing thousands of dollars to get Teal, Odin and Bo back into their natural environment. The bobcats will require special food, care and special housing to ensure that they have the best possible chance for survival. The bobcats will be in rehabilitation anywhere between 12-18 months before being releasable, so we are asking for your help in making this journey possible.
http://www.carolinawildlife.org/bobcats.htm

Meh Kitteh approves.

[Ian David]

1. When the bobcats eat the housecat, then you know they can stop breast feeding. n/t

[arthritisR_US]

2. got I'm shameful because that did make me lol. n/t

[mimitabby]

3. sigh..

the bobcats won't eat their foster mom..