He's here! He's here!

Posted by Carrie McMorris, Animal Care Specialist

Hello! The bobcat has finally arrived!!!

The bobcat arrived safe and sound last night.  He was flown into Sacramento airport and landed at 9 PM. I arrived shortly thereafter and picked him up from air cargo. After the one-hour drive back to the Micke Grove Zoo, he was let out of his traveling crate and into the zoo's quarantine facility. That was when I got my first good look at him... and he is GORGEOUS!!!  He walked around checking out his new home, found his food, and ate comfortably. As his primary keeper, it was a great relief for me to see him so at ease.  I know he is going to do very well here and am very excited to welcome him to our animal family.

Here are a few pictures I was able to capture this morning:

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He is playful and curious - just as he should be for a nearly 2 year old cat! He was wild born and found as a small kitten. The bobcat was then taken to a rehabilitation center in Arizona. While there, he became imprinted on humans. That means he does not fear people but rather enjoys their company. This is not good for a wild animal and therefore he could not be released back to his natural habitat.  

We here at Micke Grove Zoo are happy that we can offer this beautiful bobcat a forever home. Ideally in a perfect world he would be running wild living free, but I, along with the rest of the staff here, will do all we can to provide him with a safe and wonderful life.

Until next time....

~Carrie