Update, 7:06 p.m. Sept. 15:
The city announced that the bobcat’s grand welcoming event will be postponed until October, date to be announced.
“The Bobcat is settling into his new environment, but there are still several steps that need to be completed before he is ready for a public event,” according to the city’s update. “This includes receiving his remaining immunizations and completing necessary veterinary care.”
Original article:
Prairie Park Nature Center has a 12-week-old bobcat kitten as their newest ambassador animal, and the community is invited to meet and help name him.
The young bobcat “comes from a USDA facility that breeds bobcats for educational purposes,” according to a city news release. “As an ambassador animal, he will help connect the community with Kansas wildlife and teach visitors about the carnivores that call our state home.”
The bobcat will call the nature center home for the rest of his life. The facility is hosting a welcome event for him from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 on site, 2730 Harper St.
During the event, there will be a presentation about different cats of the Americas before attendees can vote on the young bobcat’s name. There will also be a voting survey available on Sept. 18.
Once the young bobcat has a name, people can pay $10 for a photo with him.
More about bobcats
Here are a few fun facts about bobcats, from the press release:
• The scientific name for a bobcat is Lynx rufus, which comes from their reddish coloring. “Lynx” means “light” and “rufus” means “red.”
• Bobcats can purr but can’t roar as larger cats can.
• Bobcats primarily diet on rabbits and rodents, but will also hunt birds and fish.
• People may not easily spot bobcats, but they have adapted to live alongside humans and are relatively common in urban areas.
• Bobcats live from southern Mexico to the forests of Canada.
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