Rehabilitated Bobcat Being Released Into Wild Near Mussey Grade Road

The Humane Society of the United States announced Monday morning that a famous California bobcat (Lynx rufus) will be released into the wild after rehabilitative care at The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona.

The orphaned female bobcat, whose species is hunted extensively by humans, both for sport and fur, who was taken to the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in June for mange, malnutrition and dehydration. She is being released back into the wild near Mussey Grade Road at 11 a.m. today.

The Humane Society said staff will caravan to the site where release should last no more than 30 minutes. The bobcat kitten’s story was featured in All Animals magazine, which is published by The Humane Society of the United States.

According to the Humane Society, two young bobcats were spotted drinking from a backyard swimming pool back in June. The couple living at the home who discovered the pair noted that the kittens’ fur appeared unkempt and they did not see their mother. They took photographs of the young bobcats and sent them to the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center.

Staff at the center determined that the young bobcats had been orphaned and preparations were made for their capture and transfer to the rehabilitation center. At The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, the bobcats were treated for mange, parasites, anemia and hunger, according to the Humane Society. 

The young male bobcat died the second night due to his poor condition, the Humane Society stated, but the female bobcat continued to improve and eventually became healthy enough to join other bobcat kittens outside in the conditioning shelter designed to acclimate wild animals to conditions they will face once released.

The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, owned and operated by The Fund for Animals in partnership with The Humane Society of the United States, is located in northeast San Diego County.The 13-acre facility provides medical and rehabilitative care for injured and orphaned wildlife, specializing in native predatory species such as bobcats, coyotes and eagles. A fully equipped medical center and trained staff and volunteers ensure that the special needs of the ill, injured or orphaned wildlife can be met year-round.