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

[@tomrancor1818]

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

[@JNosewicz7569]

💕😺

[@toonmeowslecs6791]

😄🙌YIPPEE

[@Corkboard753]

Love seeing the local Bobcats featured. Such incredible animals.

[@Claudia-bo5vf]

Thanks those kind Tucson residents for co-living with those amazing bob cats with respect and understanding!

[@DJCole34]

Don’t be so kind, all these people aren’t the same.

[@Kim-lc3fv]

What a great project! ❤ Thank you for caring about wildlife. 🙏😊

[@jimm6095]

Here's some neighbourhood cats that never have to fear Coyotes. Coyotes have to fear them!

[@calgal5752]

Such beautiful creatures !

[@caldadextra2063]

Bear Down!

[@denmotherjosh]

I have a mom and two kits that regularly started hanging out in my yard. I love watching the kits learn how to hunt.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

I tried hard to live in Tucson for five years, but the heat finally drove me out last September. I miss the bobcats, javelinas, hummingbirds and other wildlife a lot. I hope everyone watching this understands that these are NOT kitty cats. They are wild animals, and they live VERY challenging lives. Thank you for this AZPM. I'm still a supporter even though I live in San Diego County now.

[@azpm]

Thank you for continuing to watch despite your move!

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

@@azpm Watch AND donate!

[@Postitnews2024]

San Diego is a zoo of people, bet after sometime you head back to Tucson, the tax rates and homeless drive many nice people out....

[@Miyahideko]

Wow I love this bobcat community group! And i cant believe the amazing footage and photos they are all capturing in their backyards.

[@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!

[@gailierunninglynx7310]

I had a pet Bobcat for 15 years!! "Spanky" my Big Purr!! ~❤~ Spanky and my Doberman "Jupiter" were in L❤VE!! Miss them soo MUCH ~!!

[@JNosewicz7569]

💕💕💕😺

[@andrew2371]

The spreadsheet lady is adorable

[@triciacherise8084]

Beautiful story. Thank you. Warms my heart. We need more news like this❤❤

[@kCuFfication]

This had me grinning from ear to ear the whole time! God bless you crazy Tucson people!

[@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.

[@jeffj2495]

Majestic animals. And the babies are incredibly cute.

[@clayoreilly4553]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@Dovietail]

No touchee wolf kitty! 😂

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Pet!

[@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.

[@TheOctubre12]

Excellent project! Congratulations to everyone involve!🙌👏🏻

[@taffyb4007]

Bobcats are beautiful abd important!

[@Mr.SharkTooth-zc8rm]

Magnificent animals. Thank you people!

[@yes.2144]

I love Tucson! It’s my hometown but I don’t reside there currently. I do visit. It didn’t feel the same for me anymore last time I was there. It’s getting too big. It’ll be a mini PHX metropolitan type area in no time.

[@baneverything5580]

Bobcats are great rat and snake catchers. I like having them around. I had a rescued pet female years ago and helped her return to the wild. She was a nice pet and extremely intelligent. She had kittens and finally got so nervous about the new neighbors that she left for the deep woods with them. They tried to shoot her with BB guns.

[@Idalianightfire]

So special 😊

[@passaflora09]

This is so awesome, what they are doing in Tuscon. I have a mixed livestock guardian and a Border collie on my land in Northern Arizona so unfortunately my dogs will keep any bobcats that might wander on my property away, so I doubt I will see any here.

[@jonibarger3147]

I love them!

[@mike89128]

My niece looked out her front window earlier this year and saw a mountain lion sprawled on her lawn taking in the sun. Told her since it didn't have a collar, the city was going to fine her for letting her pet loose.

[@user-dixk2rx5gz8f]

Could you not design a slimmer tracking device? It must hinder them due to its large size! Otherwise - great project!

[@bobthetroll]

There's a bobcat that goes after squirrels in my shed in the mornings. I live in North Phoenix.

[@Dovietail]

Bobcats ate the coyotes of the cat world.

[@CountCraigula]

Bobcats are cool!

[@williamponce5907]

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

[@pegsmith8401]

They are beautiful cats.

[@cathyburrows8162]

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

[@LaurenceDay-d2p]

They should if they can trap them.

[@liz6cats280]

Hi Bob!

[@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.

[@kenknapp2319]

I want to see the data for bobcats in vail

[@kixigvak]

My grandmother in Oregon had a cat that was mixed house cat and bobcat. I've read this is not genetically possible. But it sure looked like it was half and half. It was not a Manx. And it was never completely tame. I live in Alaska and we have lynx in our suburban area. A lynx is a big bobcat. I've been surprised a number of times at how calm they are when I encounter them.

[@eurobeats1]

delightful

[@Shadowman-1960]

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

[@Hannelore7]

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

[@nightigal]

They use quick release collars. If the collar gets caught on something it'll release and fall off, letting the bobcat get away with minimal to no injuries.

[@dianewalker9154]

Small pets and small livestock left outside are their food.

[@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.

[@rocbolt]

They were here first

[@jackkunkel]

Rattlesnakes were here first too. Would you want them in YOUR garage?

[@annap7678]

Homeless bobcats. Just when you thought things couldn’t get much worse. THAT was my first impression. Apparently I was wrong. We have more alligators than bobcats where I live, so perhaps my initial reaction was justifiable. I was putting bobcats in the alligator category in terms of peaceful coexistence capacity. But it seems that in Tucson the presence of bobcats is a plus for many people, even “an honor.” An alligator’s presence will never be considered an honor where I come from, but I honestly don’t believe the alligators care. 🐊

[@carolechenowith900]

As a zookeeper for 40 of my 45 years at a zoo...I can catch bobcats in a net in a 6 by 6 area ( den area) with the cats bouncing all around me lol

[@mariafernandez5087]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@DoubleDogDare54]

It's all fun and games until one of them eats your Yorkie.

[@frankarenas300]

❤❤❤ bobcats rule javelinas drool

[@kevindelaney1951]

Got any raccoons there? Good eating for the bobcats.

[@goodstufffromdavidpaul2246]

Cats and dogs for dinner. lol

[@wandaritter5704]

Better watch your animals and small children

[@tommackay7433]

Lots of pets,for,them to eat.

[@Jeffery-pu3kr]

🐕💚🍕there worth about $150 each

[@jamesvermeer5653]

go tojail

[@frankpaya690]

You're in the Arizona desert and there's no Rock piles?

[@donsolos]

This is basically how we got house cats lol we didnt really domesticate cats our relationship was more of a mutualistic pair bond that benefited both parties

[@ducksamok1716]

Bobcats are cute but unfortunately, they killed my ducks and chicken.

[@MrNobody55555]

Here’s the hypocrisy of the leftist that runs Tucson. If your neighbor’s dog killed your ducks and chickens, the police will put their dog down. But if a Bobcat is hunting people’s pets and livestock, ... the same law enforcement agency that will put your neighbor’s dog down for doing that, will tell you that you have to live with the bobcat killing your animals. It's even illegal to put down a rattlesnake that’s in your backyard. If you kill a rattlesnake or a bobcat that is threatening you or your animals, they will put you in jail. But if you want to smoke fentanyl at all the shopping centers and city bus stops, they’re good with that. ...

[@PaulHoskins-t2c]

In the Detroit area, they are complaining that there is no drinking water. 100°F temperatures and sunlight cause all of the water molecules to evaporate.

[@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

[@leannaerickson9745]

Murdered? People or bobcats?😼

[@abcdef-b5y]

Bobcats are beautiful animals. What a treasurer for Tucson to have them...

[@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.

[@mariafernandez5087]

Wow. We need more communities with this mindset!!!!!!!!!!!❤

[@cathylindeboo.9598]

Bless these people!!!

[@Gigi-xr3qs]

Nah.

[@myhounddog]

Yes! I love that she is populating a database spreadsheet for a hobby ❤❤.

[@loismiller1609]

Please vaccinate for rabies!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@cathylindeboo.9598]

I want to build a catio!!! Any recommendations on brands, etc.?

[@cestwhat1317]

Wildcat pride! Literally! Bear Down!

[@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.

[@annap7678]

Bobcats apparently do the nonchalant, casual thing real well. We could all learn a lot.

[@MrTM-fg6zn]

I learned to speak bobcat because I didn't know meow.

[@annap7678]

Awww… now that’s really sweet. Good of you to step up. Unfortunately, other than English, I mainly know dead languages. All of the Feline languages are constantly evolving… out of my league.

[@05140842]

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

[@Castle743]

Beautiful cats They should be protected

[@Starlight03690]

BEAUTIFUL COEXISTING With , Respecting, Honoring Bobcats, Nature, Wildlife. Thank you Tucson community! Show the WORLD how it is done with Love. Bless ❤️🧡💛💚🌍☮️🤍💯💃🌟🕺🐱

[@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.

[@A3Kr0n]

Bobcats help keep rabbits out of your garden. Also, those people should stop messing with them with traps, drugs and other crap. LEAVE NATURE ALONE!

[@outposttucsontv]

I live on the Westside foothills, I've had a Bobcat nursing her cub on my front porch. She lives in outdoor patio fireplace a neighbor let her move into. Thrilling to see them. Tucson rocks.

[@Heavilymoderated]

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

[@charlesd3a]

Would it be nice to have the bobcat reintroduced to Ireland

[@MarSchlosser]

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

[@RoxannSnyder]

What wonderful people! ❤ These projects seem to bring out the best in us! It does feel good to know you are helping in a cause, saving something so beautiful & wild.

[@caldadextra2063]

Uhmmm……Bear Down?

[@southsidesky]

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

[@truecapitalist4718]

I'm nearly 60 years old, a Tucson native and lifelong resident and was a UPS driver working mostly in the Santa Catalina foothills for over 27 years. These animals are spectacular. I've seen them mostly during their litter-bearing season either on rooftops or in the trees (often Mesquite) that they use as access. I'm grateful to hear of this project. Thank you to all the members and volunteers who make it possible.

[@williamoconnell7152]

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

[@luisostasuc8135]

Wild animals need vet visits too. If we don't know how healthy they are we can't change our behavior to help them

[@nightigal]

Thought one was a house cat laying atop a brick wall facing away from me. I said "hey little kitty". Then it turned its head and realized it was a big kitty and crossed the street. One of my house cats had a bob tail so that didn't tip me off the way it should have.

[@tacoboy2218]

I have a bobcat trail outside my back yard

[@mariafernandez5087]

Bravo!!!!!!!❤

[@timthompson8297]

The animals are probably just eating a lot of pets.

[@jhoigaar]

Beautiful. Thank you

[@bilbodiggins4274]

essentially we have this footage because the woman was feeding the bobcats as if they were pets. Why else would they stay in that back yard?

[@leannaerickson9745]

Probably no rats around that neighborhood. Sometimes water is more of a draw than food.🐀😼

[@_ac_7649]

how come they are so darn cute?

[@julezDigz]

I love all the wildlife in the Tucson area! It feels very special that we have bobcats in our neighborhood!

[@MostlyBuicks]

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

[@caldadextra2063]

🐻⬇️!

[@AdiBuddhi]

Beautiful vid, and I'm really envious of such wildlife, for I live in Amsterdam and the only wildlife we have are rats and other rodents.

[@charlesd3a]

Would it be nice to have the bobcat reintroduced to Ireland

[@leannaerickson9745]

Are there not lynx in Ireland?

[@loveinthematrix]

Tucson Karens pass the vibe check

[@Gingermarie745]

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