Bobcat

Bobcats (like the kittens at right) are cousins of their more imperiled and tufted-eared cousin the lynx.  And like the lynx, bobcats focus mainly on rabbits and hares (lagomorphs) keeping those animal populations relatively in check.  Bobcats are frequently targeted by trappers and as a consequence are often locally rare or missing altogether.  

 

Since these cats provide valuable ecological services in terms of rodent and lagomorph control—and bobcats (and lynx) are very hard to reintroduce because of their solitary nature—it is extremely important that trap-free areas are established to facilitate population connectedness and re-colonization.  Trapping areas and limits authorized by state agencies—particularly on public lands should be sensitive to this factor so that bobcat populations remain robust.