Allowing Bobcats to run free in the city? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jayswin · 03-10-2009, 12:47 AM

I just recently found out that a bobcat has been running around my community and the one next to it (Canyon Meadows and Woodbine/Woodlands). Apparantly instead of relocating it, they are letting it run free, does that seem weird to anyone else?

I go for a run 2 or 3 times a week in the late evening, and I think it could be pretty scary running into one of these.....

I'm sure they're not known to attack humans, and personally I think it would be pretty cool to see one wandering the streets, but you'd think with all the children and pets in the community and the "think of the children" mothers out there, that there'd be more pressure to relocate it, no?

Jayems · 03-10-2009, 12:49 AM

I'm a firm believer that if you can't outrun a bobcat, you probably shouldn't be alive to begin with. om nom nom nom.

Mayer · 03-10-2009, 12:49 AM

Where did you hear this? Is it from an article?

Jayems · 03-10-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

Where did you hear this? Is it from an article?

I think he's been drinking again.

jayswin · 03-10-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayer

Where did you hear this? Is it from an article?

I heard it from my neighbour, and from the guy at the liquor store, they both said it was in the paper, but I haven't been reading the paper lately, and couldn't find it with a google search.

Jayems · 03-10-2009, 12:56 AM

transplant99 · 03-10-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

I think he's been drinking again.

Quote:

I heard it from my neighbour, and from the guy at the liquor store

Explained!!

jayswin · 03-10-2009, 01:01 AM

I guess step two now would be to ask if anyone else has heard of this, or remember seeing an article about it?

Actually, I'll phone the wildlife hotline (if there is such a thing) tomorrow, maybe they can confirm or deny this.

Jayems · 03-10-2009, 01:03 AM

On a serious note, I doubt the city would allow a wild cat like that to roam the city streets. They'd probably have their phones broken by all the people calling in.

Jayems · 03-10-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

I guess step two now would be to ask if anyone else has heard of this, or remember seeing an article about it?

Actually, I'll phone the wildlife hotline (if there is such a thing) tomorrow, maybe they can confirm or deny this.

Why wait? How many hobos must perish at the hands... err.. paws of this ruthless cat before you pick up the phone?

BlackArcher101 · 03-10-2009, 01:06 AM

Anyone else come into this thread thinking that someone was complaining about the city allowing bobcats being allowed to run around freely while removing snow?

RougeUnderoos · 03-10-2009, 01:11 AM

It is a wild animal, but it isn't very big and likely stays away from humans (even little ones) as a matter of principle.

I wouldn't let my cats or weiner-dog stroll around in the evening but I don't think people have anything to worry about.

Do you have a lot of them big hares in your neighbourhood? Those things have exploded in the last 5 years or so in the city. That's probably why a bobcat is in town.

T@T · 03-10-2009, 01:23 AM

If true whats the big deal? A bobcat is not dangerous at all, It will run from dogs and has never been known hurt children or even attack house cats.
With all the fricken rabbits running around in my yard I wish they were hunting up here in Harvest Hills.

Jayems · 03-10-2009, 01:31 AM

How big are bobcats? I always assumed they were the size of a small lab or cougar or something.. I am apparently grossly mistaken on that.

jayswin · 03-10-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

It is a wild animal, but it isn't very big and likely stays away from humans (even little ones) as a matter of principle.

I wouldn't let my cats or weiner-dog stroll around in the evening but I don't think people have anything to worry about.

Do you have a lot of them big hares in your neighbourhood? Those things have exploded in the last 5 years or so in the city. That's probably why a bobcat is in town.

Yeah, craploads of rabbits down here.

jayswin · 03-10-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

How big are bobcats? I always assumed they were the size of a small lab or cougar or something.. I am apparently grossly mistaken on that.

I found some intersting facts about Bobcats...

-When bobcats roar or growl, it is so rough and deep they are often mistaken for a mountain lion. (That would scare the crap out of me if I heard that while out running)

-They are typically twice the size of a house cat (That would be pretty intimidating to see roaming around)

-They have 5 toes, but only 4 of them leave a print in the ground/snow.

TSXCman · 03-10-2009, 01:40 AM

i live in woodlands and there was a bear nearby where myself and some friends were hanging out in fish creek. when we left the area a ranger was walking down with his tranq rifle asking us which way the bear was. never heard a follow up but i dont mind wild/even dangerous animals being nearby. fish creek does connect to the country side, so there will always be something migrating in or out

edit: house pets will be in danger

T@T · 03-10-2009, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

How big are bobcats? I always assumed they were the size of a small lab or cougar or something.. I am apparently grossly mistaken on that.

20-25 pounds is typical, nothing like a 100 pound cougar or mountain lion.

jayswin · 03-10-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSXCman

i live in woodlands and there was a bear nearby where myself and some friends were hanging out in fish creek. when we left the area a ranger was walking down with his tranq rifle asking us which way the bear was. never heard a follow up but i dont mind wild/even dangerous animals being nearby. fish creek does connect to the country side, so there will always be something migrating in or out

edit: house pets will be in danger

Yeah, a couple of years ago we had a fire and got crushed in Fish creek right at the bottom of elbow drive, then a couple days later there was a blurb in the paper saying that a bear had been roaming that exact area for the last two days.

Personally, I think it's cool. If some of our northeast/southeast communities deal with seedy citizens, drive by shootings etc, while our biggest concern is spotting awesome wildlife in our communities, then I'm happy with that.

redforever · 03-10-2009, 02:00 AM

They are just little puddy tats and won't harm people, they are not even as big as a lynx. They are not aggressive towards your pets like coyotes are either and chances are, you won't see them.

We have cougar on our property, now that is a big puddy tat.