A young bobcat is getting some much-needed rest and treatment at a San Diego County animal care center after it suffered burns and other injuries in the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County in September.
The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) said the 6- to 8-month-old bobcat has been recuperating at its Ramona Wildlife Center after it was rescued. She was found in mid-October after a Yucaipa resident’s dogs spotted the feline.
California Wildfires
More on local disasters.
After being inspected at a veterinary clinic in Grand Terrace, the cat was “so growly” that staff contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CADFW). From there, SDHS’ Project Wildlife was contacted and the wild animal was taken to its Ramona-based care site.
Thanks to the care the bobcat received, she is healing well, according to her caregivers.
“You could see that she was emaciated and clearly had singed whiskers and ears, but her full exam revealed the true extent of her injuries, which included burns to all four of her paws,” animal-shelter officials said in a statement. “We collaborate with CADFW and a burn specialist with UC Davis on burn cases, and we all agreed that this little girl is a fighter and has a good chance of making a full recovery.”
Some of the young bobcat’s paws were wrapped in bandages to cover her burns, and she was given antibiotics to fight the infections from her burns. The bobcat was also given pain medication during her recovery.
Wildlife experts hope to release the bobcat back into the wild sometime next month.
