Ontario: Escaped zoo bobcat still on the loose

Author: Lauren Gilchrist
Date: 2006-10-17

Montana, the local zoo's runaway bobcat, is still on the prowl.

Jack Sisson, curator of the Riverview Park and Zoo, says
approximately a week ago there were three positive sightings of
Montana, including one by zoo staff. She was spotted North of Ennis
Road heading towards Emerald Isle.

Four-year-old Montana has been missing since August when someone cut
open her cage at the zoo.

On Monday (Oct. 16) staff from the local zoo, Peterborough Utility
Services, the Toronto Zoo and the Peterborough Humane Society
searched the area for the bobcat, but all they found were her
footprints. Live traps have been set.

From the photos he has seen of her in the wild, Mr. Sisson says
Montana appears fine.

"There's certainly a lot of wildlife in the area for her to catch.
But we're certainly concerned for her and want to get her back as
soon as possible."

He notes they are in the middle of a three-year plan to put up a new
perimeter around the entire animal area that will keep people further
away from the cages when the zoo is closed.

They are also looking at installing security cameras and have already
added more security guards to the property during off-hours.

"We've been very fortunate over the years. But it only takes, for
lack of a better word, one idiot to ruin things."

If Montana is spotted Mr. Sisson is asking people not to try and
catch her but instead call 748-9300.

http://www.mykawartha.com/article/4824