On Sunday, January 22, the Duluth News Tribune reporter John Lundy told how an eighteen pound male bobcat thumped on the door of a home in the Hermantown suburb of Duluth the previous Thursday. The animal appeared dazed and remained looking in the window. The animal could not move a hind leg. Police officer Kristi Hansen responded to the family as no game wardens were available at that hour. A Duluth nonprofit, Wildwoods Rehabilitation, who work with wild animals, aided by a veterinarian, took on the dangerous job of handling the bobcat.
Originally the animal was identified as a lynx, but they are not native to our state. The year and a half old tom may be a descendent of a Canadian lynx who has been traced geneticallly by wildlife researchers as having taken a trip down the northshore mountain range of Lake Superior to visit bobcat queens several years ago. The species have been known to interbreed.
Deb Eskedahl of Wild & Free in Garrison, MN, who now have the cat, says it has a concussion and may have been hit by a vehicle. No bones are broken and if rehabilitation goes well he may be released within a few weeks.
The bobcat, along with the wolf, are the top predators in our northern forests. The are very rarely seen and generally avoid man in every situation. It is hopeful and heartwarming that a feline king of the forest would come to humans as true steward of nature.
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