What is it?
A video and photograph taken Friday afternoon of a hillside next to the Leitchfield Walmart shows a large cat of some type. Exactly what type of cat it is, at this point, is up for debate.
Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Sgt. Thomas Blackwell, after observing the video and photo taken of the animal, opines that it could be a bobcat (aka wildcat).
“Some bobcats do have long tails … that’s my guess,” Blackwell said, noting that most bobcats have short tails (six to seven inches long). He is sending the video and photograph to a Fish & Wildlife biologist to see if a determination can be made.
An informal survey of experienced hunters resulted in a wide range of opinions: Some believe the animal is a large tomcat, while others believe it’s a young cougar. Still other hunters think it could be a bobcat.
Cougars, also known as mountain lion, puma, panther and catamount, are not found in the eastern U.S (other than in south Florida). The nearest “pod” of cougars is in Nebraska.
An excerpt from the Kentucky Fish& Wildlife website states the following on mountain lions:
“While mountain lions were once common in Kentucky, research shows the state has not supported a wild population of mountain lions for more than a century. In the landmark 1974 book ‘Mammals of Kentucky,’ authors Roger W. Barbour and Wayne H. Davis noted there were no valid records of mountain lions in the state after 1899.”
Bobcats, on the other hand, reside in and are common in Kentucky, according to the 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 as if 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.
K105 will have more on this story when we hear back from the Kentucky Fish & Wildlife biologist.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
