Bobcat found safe, returned to Ontario zoo

Author: Lance Anderson
Date: 2006-10-23

After two months of freedom, the Riverview Park and Zoo’s bobcat is home, safe and sound.

Montana, a four-year-old bobcat, was released from her pen at the zoo sometime Aug. 19/20. She was trapped Sunday off Telford Line in Ennismore, near Emerald Isle, and returned to the zoo. Originally, zoo staff members were led to believe the bobcat was hiding out on an island in that area.

“She’s doing really well,” says Jack Sisson, the zoo’s curator.

A resident spotted Montana Saturday and contacted zoo officials. Zoo staff went to the site and set up a live trap, baiting it with food she ate at the zoo. Mr. Sisson expects the food’s familiarity drew the bobcat into the trap.

He adds Montana was well fed, most likely feeding on small rodents, rabbits and grouse found in the area.

Montana will rest in a quiet area at the zoo before being placed back into her pen. In the meantime, a reward is still active for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Montana’s release from her pen.

http://www.mykawartha.com/article/4930