A bobcat has been spotted in Grayson County.
The big cat was snapped Tuesday afternoon on a trail camera as the animal roamed in Millerstown. A photo of the bobcat was posted on social media by Carla Meredith, who can aptly be described as an avid outdoorswoman.
Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Sgt. Thomas Blackwell, who viewed the photo, said, “That’s a bobcat. I’d guess a female.”
“It’s a little blurry, but if it was another type of cat the face would be more pronounced,” Blackwell added. “That face is rounded and looks like tuffs on the sides, which bobcats have.”
Bobcats reside in and are common in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Fish & Wildlife website:
“The increasing number of big cat reports in the state coincides with the return of the bobcat to Kentucky’s landscape. Bobcats, which were considered rare as late as 1974, have increased in range and abundance throughout Kentucky. They are now found in every county in the state.”
Bobcats are not generally aggressive toward humans unless they are startled or feel they are in danger, according to AZ Animals.
AZ Animals recommends taking the following steps if one encounters a bobcat:
- Do not approach the bobcat.
- Do not turn your back on it. Instead, slowly back away from the bobcat.
- No matter how tempting it may be, do not run as this can provoke the bobcat.
- Throw any water you have at the bobcat. Like other cats, they do not like water.
- Call animal control if you see a bobcat in a developed area.
- Bang anything you have together or make as much noise as possible.
“The neck isn’t long enough to be a bigger cat like a mountain lion or cougar,” Blackwell said.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
