Kiawah ’ s Bobcats : Morning , Noon , and Night
By Justin Core , Kiawah Conservancy Land Preservation Coordinator , and Jim “ Bobcat ” Jordan , Town of Kiawah Island Biologist
Town of Kiawah Island Wildlife biologists estimate that there are about 35 bobcats that live with us here on the Island . These stealthy predators are among the most exciting animals to catch a glimpse of on Kiawah . Most sightings or photographs of our bobcats are accompanied by colorful stories , told by thrilled residents or guests . Over the last 20 years , the Town and Conservancy have developed a clearer understanding of bobcats ’ movements , behaviors , and ecological roles on the Island . Most of this knowledge is due to the advent and continued use of GPS technology , which has allowed us to track 69 bobcats since 2007 .
One of the first bobcats to be fitted with a GPS collar was “ Bobcat 118 ” in the pilot year of the GPS project back in 2007 . During this first year of the project , collars were programmed to collect location data every 10 minutes , which provided a valuable opportunity to view the precise movements of a bobcat throughout the day and night . The map on the opposite page shows the journey of Bobcat 118 , an adult female , during a single 24-hour period . The data provides some unique insights into the behavior , progress , and perhaps thoughts , of a Kiawah Island bobcat , as described in Bobcat 118 ’ s GPS travelogue .
16 Photo by Jamie Cathcart