Trap removed from bobcat who limped around southeast Calgary neighbourhood

The bobcat who limped around a southeast Calgary neighborhood for at least two weeks with a trap clamped on one of its paws is now free of the device’s bite.

The Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, which captured the animal Thursday morning, said the cat underwent surgery and had the trap removed.

In a release posted online, the group said its veterinarians examined the bobcat’s paw and were “amazed to find there were no fractures or breaks.” The wound was cleaned and the paw bandaged up.

Melanie Whalen, the non-profit’s director of wildlife care, told the CBC News on Thursday that they expect the bobcat, a female, to be treated and released.

Whalen noted the animal must fully heal before being returned to the wild, where she will have to hunt to survive. 

In the release, Calgary Wildlife thanked residents of the Chaparral neighborhood, who dutifully posted sightings of the wounded bobcat on social media, particularly on a Facebook fan page.

The fan page, which has celebrated the neighborhood rabbit and squirrel hunter, has since been renamed to “Where’s Bobbi the bobcat In Chaparral?” — reflecting the fact that residents now know the wild cat is a girl. They previously referred to her as Bobby. 

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials still aren’t sure if the bobcat was targeted or got caught in the trap by accident. They asked anyone with information about the trap to call the report-a-poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.

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