Bobcats are thriving in Tucson, Arizona despite metropolitan growth in the Sonoran Desert

A group of scientists and volunteers has been conducting an extensive study about bobcats west of I-10 in Tucson. The “Bobcats in Tucson Research Project” involves trapping the animals, taking DNA samples, and recording details such as weight and overall health. So far, the group has captured and released more than 50 individual bobcats and collared most of them, which have been spotted in about 50,000 locations.
Producer: Tony Paniagua
Videographer/Editor: Nate Huffman

[@YsabetJustYsabet]

Great video! One showed up at a friend's daughter's wedding I attended way over on the NW side a couple of years ago-- a person in the area kept chickens, and this young bobcat managed to take one and then jumped over the 6' wall right into the yard where the wedding was being held. He/she froze, we all froze, the chicken was dropped and the bobcat sat down and washed a bit and then continued on out of the yard. The chicken was put out where it could find it and he/she was seen returning and carrying it off (waste not, want not!) And the whole thing was gotten on film by the wedding photographer.

[@Corkboard753]

Love seeing the local Bobcats featured. Such incredible animals.

[@sandys.1891]

I watched cubs grow up via video from one cat family friendly home. It was fascinating to see how Momma raised those cubs on a quiet side of a house undisturbed.

[@tomrancor1818]

Had 8 Bobcats in my yard one evening. 2 adult females and 6 kittens.

[@cestwhat1317]

Wildcat pride! Literally! Bear Down!

[@LastOneOut]

The first intersection in this clip is Campbell Ave & Grant Rd, I live 3 blocks from there, approx. ½ mile north of University of AZ medical center (banner) & have had bobcats in my driveway along with many javelinas, coyotes and raccoons. I wish I had known about this project years ago but in the future I will add my bobcat visits.

[@sntslilhlpr6601]

Wow this is so cool. I understand what she said about javalinas as they are a bit of a menace in our neighborhood, knocking over trash cans and such, but it could be worse and there's no reason to shoot a minor inconvenience like that. I actually haven't seen a single bobcat since I moved down to the Tucson area. Just more javalinas, roadrunners, gray hawks, and ravens (as well as scorpions, tarantulas, snakes, and the dreaded giant desert centipede). Last time I saw one was riding north of Phoenix in some state land that eventually got turned into a subdivision despite our protests. Good to know that they are adapting to that down here. Vids of bobcats outside a sliding glass window is like my favorite genre of youtube vids ever haha. Cat's gonna cat.

[@05140842]

A great news piece. I love seeing them amongst all of our other native wildlife here in the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest.

[@elrobo3568]

I have lived just outside of Oro Valley Az since 1974 and we have had a family of bobcats living and breeding all this time. I have trail cam photos of them along with many other wild animals and so far have never had any negative contact. I also live where bears often come around (Greer Az) and as long as people don't do stupid things they usually leave people alone. There is always the exception such as the teen boy in his house in Alpine Az and a bear came through a door and attacked him. They are wild animals and once and awhile they act wild. A great book about this subject is The Beast in the Garden, written about Boulder Colorado.

[@Bridgeoverthevalley]

Before I Move to Tucson, I’m requesting that the Realtor find me a bobcat house!

[@FollowTheJohn]

I love seeing bobcats on my trail cameras.

[@calgal5752]

Such beautiful creatures !

[@mcaskey358]

I'm fairly sure I spotted one in my yard a few weeks ago. My only concern is I have a catio, it's completely enclosed, and I bring my cats in at night or when I leave the house. However, I keep an eye on my boys when they are out in the catio, and I feel like we can co-habitat with the wildlife just fine.

[@huskynation2318]

Interrupted a BC snacking on a snake last summer. I'm here in O.V. - was walking the dog - by one of our parks. Our eyes met - we shared a moment - then it took off. Talk about fast food! What a moment and a stunning, majestic animal. I reached for my phone to snap a pic but of course it's the one time I left it at home! Ugh!

[@chesterwilberforce9832]

We have them in the suburbs around Dallas and Fort Worth. They've learned that there's plenty of food here and humans aren't going to shoot them. In a park near us, they are so accustomed to human presence that they will sit on a trail and just watch people walk by.

[@Deletedcommentfactory]

I saw one walking along in daylight off of Orange Grove with half a rabbit in its mouth. He looked pretty happy.

[@williamponce5907]

I've seen one many years ago on a neighbors roof looking for food

[@Dovietail]

No touchee wolf kitty! 😂

[@frankmorris4790]

Yeah, they do real well on "FeeFee" and "Puff", just like the Yotes.....

[@charlesd3a]

Would it be nice to have the bobcat reintroduced to Ireland

[@Castle743]

Beautiful cats They should be protected

[@kenknapp2319]

I want to see the data for bobcats in vail

[@johnluiten3686]

They’re around here at the house. Dog spots them when we walk. The ones shown here however are kind of small. I’ve seen some huge ones. BTW, they don’t give a crap about you. They’ll walk right by. Very accustomed to people in the more urban areas. Cameras pick them up at night around the house as well as seen in day. But heck, I even saw a mountain lion once, so nothing special.

[@tacoboy2218]

I have a bobcat trail outside my back yard

[@Hannelore7]

I wonder if any Bobcat has been caught up by the collar? Hope not.

[@user-hh3cz1km6h]

Please, a little respect! That’s A-1 Lady Avery, Queen of the Night. The royal family of Lady Avery blesses you. She and her kin are why when traveling I-10 after dark, I am very careful, watching for them. You know why old-times loved them, they do not tolerate Coyote eater of infants or mountain lions. We live in the upper San Pedro Canyon and Li’l Kitty is a regular. The only thing that scares her off is the roadrunners. But roadrunners aren’t after her. They like to play with innocent critters like rattlers and old man Coyote. Much thanks for the video! niio

[@MostlyBuicks]

Yeah, they munch on your little yappy dogs. GO CATS!

[@caldadextra2063]

🐻⬇️!

[@Dovietail]

Bobcats ate the coyotes of the cat world.

[@SOP83]

Is it true that they sometimes have hybrids with domestic cats ?

[@mtn1793]

Manx cats are considered to be a hybrid. They have a bob tail and an extra toe.

[@Shadowman-1960]

You would think they could make a tracking collar that didn't have two bolts sticking out.

[@jackkunkel]

I sympathize with the bobcat lovers. But I would think bobcats, just like a coyote, would take small dogs and domestic cats, not to mention chickens and wild birds at feeders. For that reason, I can understand that some people just don't want wild animals that close.

[@josephanderson7237]

Yep. Homes are their drive-thru restaurant.

[@davestambaugh7282]

So many people tell me how terrified they are of bob cats here in Tucson. It;s no surprise that so many are found murdered

[@cathyburrows8162]

Do they give them vaccines to protect them from domestic cat diseases.

[@user-rq2es2io8y]

They should if they can trap them.

[@kevindelaney1951]

Got any raccoons there? Good eating for the bobcats.

[@southsidesky]

Tough to imagine a better looking animal...................................

[@williamoconnell7152]

Hopefully you be done with your research soon and stop harassing these animals

[@loismiller1609]

Please vaccinate for rabies!

[@charlesd3a]

Would it be nice to have the bobcat reintroduced to Ireland