Bobcat receiving care after paw caught in metal trap for weeks

A bobcat familiar to residents in a southeast Calgary neighbourhood is receiving medical care after living for at least two weeks with a metal trap clasped around one of its paws. 

The animal, dubbed Bobby the Bobcat by some, was spotted limping around the area for days until officials with the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society captured the bobcat Thursday morning, following several attempts to catch the elusive animal. 

Melanie Whalen, the non-profit's director of wildlife care, said the bobcat was being evaluated Thursday evening by veterinarians at the group's rehabilitation facility. 

"We are hoping that it's going to be able to be treated and released," she said, noting that any injuries will need to heal fully before the animal can be returned to its territory. 

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer Mark Rayment says it's unclear if the bobcat was targeted or caught in the trap by accident. 

"By all means, if there is anybody who is out there that has information as far as who might be responsible, if this was an intentional thing, then we'd definitely be interested," he said.

Bobby the Bobcat 

Since the start of the month, residents in the southeast Calgary neighbourhood of Chaparral have snapped photos of the limping bobcat. 

Neighbours say the wounded feline is their area bunny control, affectionately nicknaming the animal "Bobby the Bobcat." They even have a Facebook fan page, filled with sighting photos and notes of appreciation.

Trevor Pinkster, who lives in the neighbourhood, took photos and video of the injured bobcat Wednesday and posted them to the Facebook page.

"The poor bobcat was holding his or her arm up, and not running away," he said. "It seemed exhausted." 

While Pinkster is among the neighbours relieved to know that the bobcat is getting medical help, he still wants to know who laid the trap.

"It's very concerning that someone has laid a barbaric trap like this," he said. "What if someone's kid or a dog … got their hands or their paws stuck in that? That's the concerning thing about this."

According to Fish and Wildlife, the first sighting of the wounded bobcat came in on Dec. 29. Those with information on the bobcat or the trap are asked to call the report-a-poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.

Bobcats in Calgary

Whalen, who helped capture the injured bobcat, said the device clamped on the animal's paw was a conibear trap, which is typically used to ensnare skunks, raccoons or foxes. 

"[These traps] can break bones and potentially kill an animal," she said.

According to the 2022 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, it's illegal to trap a bobcat in Calgary. 

Fish and Wildlife officials say the only exception would be if someone had a damage control licence. However, such a licence wouldn't likely be issued for bobcats, since they pose virtually no threat to humans. 

Additionally, city officials say it's not effective to trap and move bobcats to another area, as the animals will try to return to their original territories. Also, once they leave, other bobcats will likely invade the vacant territory. 

Those who want to discourage bobcats from entering their yards are advised to remove food sources, such as bird feeders, and trim shrubs and trees under which bobcats might find shelter to hide. 

To Whalen, it's important that Calgary remains a place where humans co-exist with wild animals. 

"They actually have established territories here," she said. "They live within the city, and they thrive."