Orphaned Bobcat Kitten
This bobcat kitten was found alone with his leg wedged between the wooden slats of a fence, unable to free himself. When he arrived at Tucson Wildlife Center, he was hypothermic, infested with fleas, and unable to bear weight on his right hind leg. Radiographs confirmed a displaced fracture of the femur—likely caused by his struggle to escape.
Thanks to the quick and compassionate actions of the individuals who rescued this kitten, he was able to receive medical help before his condition became life-threatening. TWC is incredibly grateful to all the people who act swiftly and kindly on behalf of injured wildlife. In this case, that swift response gave this young bobcat a second chance.
After being stabilized with fluids, warmth, and pain relief, he underwent orthopedic surgery to realign the broken bone. Our veterinary team placed a tie-in external fixator to support the leg during healing. For several weeks, he remained on a careful regimen of antibiotics, pain medication, and regular bandage changes.
A recent video taken during his recovery shows him sitting incredibly still, with only the occasional twitch of an ear or slight turn of his head. While it may look like he is simply resting, this behavior is a powerful survival instinct. Young bobcats in the wild often remain motionless to avoid detection by predators. Even in care, those instincts persist and will serve him well once he is released.
Now fully healed, this resilient bobcat will be raised in captivity alongside others around his age. By minimizing human interaction and growing up alongside other young wildcats, this kitten will have the best chance of developing the skills he will need to survive on his own in the wild.
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