According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, 136 bobcat sightings were recorded by state wildlife officials during 2011. The reports show an increase from the 106 verified sightings in 2010. Since 1970, there have been 691 bobcat sightings in 38 counties verified by state wildlife biologists.
The majority of wildcat-verified reports for 2011 occurred in Noble County and surrounding counties. The bobcat may be verified with photographs of the animal itself and its tracks; road kill recovery and sightings by Division of Wildlife personnel as well as encounters through incidental trappings, which are followed by the animals being released.
The bobcat is listed as an endangered species in Ohio and is protected by state law.
For more Ohio bobcat information, visit www.ohiodnr.com.
source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources