During the past several weeks, the Woodbridge Police Department has received reports from residents regarding bobcat sightings throughout town. Areas where bobcats have been seen include Rimmon Road, Peck Hill Road, and most recently on Newton Road.
Based upon reports from the Department of Environmental Protection-Wildlife Division, the bobcat population in Connecticut has been increasing over recent years.
Bobcats are most active just after dusk and before dawn, and are patient hunters, meaning that they spend significant time crouching, waiting, stalking, and then ambushing their prey. Their diet ranges from rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks, and white-tail deer, to domestic livestock and poultry. Bobcat attacks on humans are extremely rare.
Should you encounter a bobcat, you should keep as much distance between you and the animal as possible and:
- Immediately protect children and pets;
- Back away from the bobcat slowly and deliberately;
- Avoid running to prevent triggering a pursuit response;
- Make a lot of noise, if possible, to scare the animal away.
If you observe a bobcat that appears to be sick, injured, or that is roaming an area frequented by humans, notify the Woodbridge Police Department
at (203) 387-2511.