Pennsylvanian Bobcat Population Control, Conservation, and Exploitation

Introduction


The bobcat, known scientifically as Lynx rufus, is Pennsylvania's only feline predator. Closely related to the Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis), bobcats are efficient predators. They are equipped with a sharpened sense of sight, smell, and hearing. Also equipped with four large canines and sharp cutting teeth, bobcats are fierce fighters. On the front paws, there are five retractable claws and on the back paws, there are four. While well-armoured, the bobcat is a medium-sized animal. Only weighing up to 20 pounds normally (with exceptions up to 35 pounds) and reaching a height of only 36 inches with a small 6-inch tail, the bobcat is not a large animal.



There are eight bobcat subspecies found in the U.S. In Pennsylvania, the bobcat has gray-brown fur with dark spots and striping (well-defined on legs). Lips, chin, the underside of the neck, and the belly are white. A neck ruff extends downward from the ears.



Bobcats are nocturnal and are rarely seen. Their prey-base includes small animals like mice, squirrels, rabbits, and birds. When the opportunity is presented, they will also feed on fish, amphibians, and insects.


Breeding takes place from February to March. After a two month gestation period, a female will give birth to one to four kittens. The father, leaving after mating, plays no part in the rearing of offspring. On the contrary, males will kill kittens to cause the female to go into heat sooner. This is typical among most big cats. Bobcats make use of dens as birthing homes and as protection for defenseless young.


The average life-span of the bobcat is 14 years in the wild. Bobcats can live up to 25 years in captivity. Age can be determined by the examination of the canines. Throughout the years, growth rings form around the canines. These are very similar to tree rings.


In Pennsylvania, bobcats inhabit mountains, forests, swamps, and agricultural areas (rarely). Small animal populations are detrimental to bobcat populations and habitats. Bobcat populations also tend to correlate with the small animal populations.


Bobcat conservation became a concern in the 1970's when the Game Law was changed to give the bobcat complete protection. Bobcat numbers increased after this. Beginning in the 1980's, the Game Commission began various field research projects to better understand the factors affecting bobcat density and distribution throughout PA. In 2000, populations were estimated at about 3,500 adult animals. The number of genetically viable animals was not determined. (1)

Major Threats:

• "World demand for bobcat fur rose gradually in the late 1960's and early 1970's and jumped in the mid-1970's afer CITES entered into force, when pelts of cats listed on Appendix I became legally obtainable for the commercial fur trade..."
• "The bobcat is now the leading felid in the skin trade, with most exports coming from the United State..."
• "From 1990-1999, annual exports averaged 13,494; in 2000-2006, the average climbed to 29,772, with an all-time high of 51,419 skins exported in 2006..."
• "The U.S. Government petitioned CITES in 2007, to remove the bobcat from the CITE Appendices, arguing that the bobcat does not meet biological criteria for CITES listing; they also stated that importing governments should be able to reliably distinguish bobcat skins from other species to prevent illegal trade of skins; the proposal was rejected and skins are still cycled today..."
• "Habitat loss is the primary threat in all three range countries..."
• "There is concern in the northeastern US about interspecific competition with expanding coyote populations..."
• "Retaliatory persecution over preying on live-stock..."
• "In Mexico, bobcats are persecuted as sheep predators and are frequently killed by farmers..."
• "Expanding human population continues to limit their ranges..." (2)

Causes of Mortality:

"Bobcats die as a result of many causes. The leading cause of death may be huntr-induced. However, causes of death can be due to predation by other animals, collision with automobiles, starvatin, and disease. Hunter-induced mortality (hunting and trapping) can account for as high as 67% of deaths. This cause of mortality peaks during winter months in areas where bobcat hunting is legal...

"A number of wild animals occasionally prey upon bobcat. Panthers infrequently kill bobcats and coyotes have been known to prey upon kittens. Collision with automobiles appears to be increasing as a result of urban encroachment in bobcat habitat. High speed roads which are constructed to link communities between natural areas bisect home ranges. As a result, bobcats in remote ares which have never encountered vehicles and roads, and unwarily wander onto a road at the wrong time, are often hit by a vehicle...

"Starvation probablyy peaks in the winter and early spring when rabbit and rodent populations are the lowest. Juveniles are particularly vulnerable during this period since it coincides with weaning. Diseases may be predisposing factors contributing to bobcat mortality,but are generally not a major cause of death. Exceptions would include epidemic proportion outbreaks. Feline panleukopenia has been implicated in the near decimation of a population in south-central Florida. Ironically, this disease can be contracted from domestic cats. Bobcats which encounter feral or free-ranging house cats that ventue outside an urban area or live in a rural setting are at the highest risk. Such may be a common occurrence in severely fragmented populations. Rabies might be another decimator of bobcat populations...

"Survival rates generally increases with age in young bobcats, which reflects greater foraging efficiency with age and experience. Mortality can have consequences that reach beyond the death of the individual. When a mother is killed, orphaned kittens which are less than five months old have little chances for survival. The younger they are, the easier they can succomb to starvation or predation."

* BOLD - apply to reasons for concern. Hunting - 67% of mortalities happen in hunting season which coinsides with the bobcats breeding season. This leaves kittens orphaned and vulnerable. This goes against sustainable practice. Hunters shoot first and ask questions later. They don't know whether the bobcat is female or male, nor mother or not. Vehicular Mortality - As urbanization continues, this is going to increase. If we address this concern early, the chance of the bobcat populations reaching a threatened state can be prevented. Domestic Cat-Related Diseases - Free-range and "outdoor" cats have become vectors for diseases that don't naturally affect bobcats. If feral-cat and "outdoor" cats can be controlled, disease can also be prevented. Spaying and Neutering of "outdoor" cats would also be preventative and control populations with the disease. Mother Mortality - See hunting and vehicular mortality. (3)

Reasons For Concern Over Bobcat Hunting and Trapping

As a citizen of Pennsylvania who is concerned with saving the only wild cat remaining in our state, and thereby maintaining a balance in the environment, I ask you to vote for the legislation to prohibit hunting and trapping of Pennsylvania bobcats in the fall of 2009. Bobcats should be permitted to survive unharmed for the following reasons. - AW

1. For 30 years - 1970 - to present, bobcats were on a vulnerable list in Pennsylvania since prior to that they had been so overhunted and overtrapped.

2. Bobcats are the only wildcats left in Pennsylvania. Overhunting and trapping extirpated the Pennsylvania mountain lions and lynx.

3. Bobcats are not overpopulated. We don't have an accurate counting of them because they are so elusive and rarely seen.

4. Bobcats don't threaten people -- they avoid people.

5. The American Veterinary Association has condemned the use of leghold traps to kill bobcats and other animals because they are so inhumane.

6. Leghold traps are vicious devices that grab an animal by the leg or face. Animals cannot get loose and sometimes chew off their own leg and bleed to death trying to get free. If animals don't sacrifice their own leg, it may take up to a week for them to die without food and water.

7. The European Community will not allow the importation or sale of animal fur which has been harvested from the use of leghold traps (because of the vicious nature of the traps).

8. Trappers who use leghold traps are obligated to check them every 24 hours so that trapped animals don't linger and suffer. Do they really check?

9. When trappers find an animal caught in their leghold trap still alive, the animal is either shot, clubbed, or stomped to death.

10. Hunters must pay for permits to hunt or trap bobcats, thereby increasing revenues for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The bobcat hunting and trapping plan is motivated by greed not environmental need.

11. Only 7% of Pennsylvania residents are hunters and/or trappers. The rest of us, 93% should have a 93%say in what happens to our state's wildlife.

12. An opportunity to "bag a bobcat" is no justification for destroying bobcats and the purpose they serve in nature.

13. House Bill 2534 which grants a three year moratorium on bobcat hunting to give time for better studies on whether bobcats should be hunted or trapped at all.

14. Pennsylvania wildlife is a gift that should not be abused. Wildlife belongs to nature, not Pennsylvania hunters.

15. Bobcats prey on other animals in order to survive; therefore, they exist as a natural balancing force in the environment.

16. Bobcats consume mice as part of their diet. Mice are major carriers of deer tick (the tick causing Lyme disease in humans). Lyme disease is at epidemic levels in Pennsylvania, Bobcats help to control Lyme disease.Mice cause other diseases as well such as Hantavirus and Toxoplasmosis.

17. Since the lynx and the mountain lion are no longer in Pennsylvania we need to protect bobcat since bobcats, lynx and mountain lions perform similar controls in the environment.

Legal Status/Protection:

• The Mexican bobcat, Felis rufus escuinapae, is protected by the Endangered Species Act.
• The bobcat, Lync rufus, in general is protected in CITES Appendix II.
• "The Endangered Species Act requires the US federal governement to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. The Act works to ensure the health natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren."
• "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an internation treaty with 172 member countries. Appendix I listed species cannot be traded commercially. Appendix II listed species can be traded commercially only if it does not harm their survival." (4)

Hunting and Reproductive Viability

Little is known about the bobcat's reproductive potential. While populations are sustainable in number, researchers do not know the number of genetically and reproductively viable animals. Seeing as there is more suitable male bobcat territory in Pennsylvania that female bobcat territory, there is a limit on the number of viable female bobcats. Along with this, female bobcats spend 6 months out of the year merely caring for their offspring and thus, not breeding. Breeding season is during and directly after hunting season where up to 1,780 bobcats can be killed (1,780 bobcat permits will be issued on Sept. 2nd of 2009). On average, 42% of permit holders "bag" a bobcat. That is approximately 748 bobcats just in Pennsylvania. 1,435 permits will be issued in Maryland. That is approximately 603 bobcats in Maryland. In West Virginia, 3 bobcats are permitted per season per person. Hunting season is about 4 months long. If they grant permits to just 1000 people and 42% of those people reach their bag limit (3 cats), that is 1260 bobcats just in WV. In just three native bobcat states, over 2,000 bobcats are permitted to be hunted, trapped, and killed. That takes away 2000 breeding individuals including mothers and viable males. That is 2,000 fewer bobcats who will breed in February. Say only 25% of those are female, that is 500 bobcats. Bobcats have an average of 2.5 kittens. This means, there will be 1,250 fewer kittens in the folowing breeding season; 1,250 fewer viable breeders. The hunting and trapping of bobcats goes against the idea of sustaining wildlife.

Video on the Trapping of Bobcats and other Animals. Contains graphic, inhumane, and painful material to watch, but this is reality. PLEASE PROTEST TRAPPING AND THE FUR TRADE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KKN0vNf2f4

-TO BE CONTINUED IN A LATER BLOG!-

Citations:

1. Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=150489)
2. IUCN Red List (verion 2009.1) - Lynx rufus (Bobcat, Bay Lynx) (http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12521/0)
3. Bobcat Ecology by Timothy Mallow (http://www.coryi.org/bobcatecology.htm)
4. Defenders of Wildlife (http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/bobcat.php)