The von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida had quite the surprise when it admitted two bobcats recently. In all, the von Arx Wildlife Hospital admitted 56 wildlife patients and released 33 animals back to the wild this past week.
The first bobcat was transferred to us from Peace River Wildlife Center. Currently, Peace River Wildlife Center is still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While they are still accepting animals, they need help caring for and treating their wildlife patients. As a community resource, we are here to support and assist them with any animal admissions they receive.
If you would like to donate and help Peace River Wildlife Center get back to full operations, please see their website.
Once the bobcat arrived at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, our staff veterinarian performed a full sedated exam. Based on history with bobcat injuries, it was assumed that the bobcat was hit by a car. On the radiographs, we found that the bobcat had multiple fresh fractures on the left and right front forelimbs and an old healed femur fracture. There was also metal found in the radiograph, which lets us know that the bobcat was also shot at some point. Unfortunately, humane euthanasia was the only option due to the severity of the injuries.
Later that morning, a second bobcat was admitted that was also suspected to be hit by car.
This bobcat was found the night before on the road and was brought to the Emergency Pet Hospital of Collier where she stayed overnight and received supportive care until the von Arx Wildlife Hospital opened. Once we opened, the vet clinic immediately transferred the bobcat to our hospital for an exam. It was determined that the bobcat was dull and there was trauma to the eye which confirmed that the bobcat was hit by a car.
After the sedated radiographs, it was noted that the bobcat had a right hip fracture and a microchip. After contacting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC), they were able to scan the microchip and determine she was microchipped by FWC during a recent study. Based off the date she was microchipped, it was determined she is only eight months old. Her fracture is healing and she is gaining her strength. The bobcat has been transferred over to the Naples Zoo where she will continue to recover in a proper enclosure that the zoo has before being released back to the wild.
If you find an animal that has been hit by a car, please bring them to the wildlife hospital. We have trained professional staff members who will be able to assess the animal and provide them with proper care. Although one story was more disheartening than the other, it is important to note that the faster these animals are in our care the better chance they will have at survival and being released back to the wild with full recovery. It is our responsibility to keep human related injuries towards wildlife to a minimum and/or not at all. Follow the speed limits, be aware, and take care of the native wildlife as this is their home too.