Police say New Canaan is seeing an uptick in bobcat sightings.
A bobcat photographed on Horton Lane, Nov. 2, 2023. Photo published with permission from its owner
A top-predator in Connecticut that feeds on rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, white-tailed deer and birds—and sometimes unsupervised domestic animals such as small livestock and poultry, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection—bobcats typically shy away from people.
“When seen, do not approach them,” New Canaan Police said in a press release.
Bobcats began to appear with more frequency in New Canaan around 2014, and since then officials have said they’ve seen what appear to be families of bobcats establishing dens here. Twice in 2020—in January and December, a pair of the normally reclusive animals were photographed on Marvin Ridge Road properties. A photograph taken two years ago of a pair of bobcats casually walking around a New Norwalk Road residential property concerned officials that the animals are becoming too familiar with humans.
Bobcats photographed on a New Norwalk Road deck on Oct. 15, 2021. Photo courtesy of New Canaan Animal Control
“Bobcats are by nature wary of people and pose little threat to public safety or human health,” New Canaan Police said in the release. “However, unprotected pets and livestock may be at risk. Prevention is key to reducing human-wildlife conflict and preventing potential loss of pets or small livestock. Help us keep wildlife wild.”
New Canaan Police issued the following tips for co-existence with bobcats:
- Never intentionally feed wildlife.
- Don’t feed wildlife accidentally. Keep pet food and water inside. Keep garbage securely stored, especially if it is put on the curb for collection.
- Keep an eye on your pets. Walk pets on a leash and accompany them outside, especially at night and early mornings.
- Use deterrents like noisemakers (bells on your dog’s harness or on your wrist/ belt), clapping and waving your arms, and shouting. If those don’t work, throw a small object like a tennis ball or water near the animal to startle it.
- When hiking or walking on trails early in the morning be aware of your surroundings and keep your headphone sound to a minimum or off.
Bobcat sightings should be reported to New Canaan Police Animal Control at 203-594-3510.
We’ve had two bobcat sightings on our property. The first was August of 2022 when a small one walked across our front step and triggered our security camera. The second was July 2023 when a large one entered our garage just as I was getting out of my car. I’m not sure which one of us was more startled coming face to face but I jumped back in my car and the cat took off over the stone wall.
I have enjoyed watching a female bobcat raising her family on my property. I caught video of her last week from my kitchen window. She walked right up to the house, patrolling. She marked her territory and then kept moving. the very next day, she brought her litter of three kittens around. They look fluffy and healthy and my chipmunk population is WAY down. I hope she likes it here well enough to stay forever!