CRESTLINE — It has been a few weeks since an injured bobcat was released by the Wildlife Haven after being treated for a run in with an automobile.
The animal was struck by a vehicle on Oct. 7 around 9 p.m. near Bellville. It was taken to Wildlife Haven to treat its multiple injuries.
However, it was released in private after a threat against the bobcat’s life was made on Facebook.
“It was so defensive,” said Jane Schelkner, the wildlife rehabilitator and director at Wildlife Haven. “It did not want to leave its cage.”
When the animal finally did leave the cage, Scheklner said the bobcat remained defensive and did not turn its back on Jane or the accompanying staff.
“It surprised me in comparison to other animals,” she said.
The wild feline was rehabilitated after breaking its scapula on the left shoulder, hurting its elbow and suffering a broken point on its vertebrae.
“It’s in good shape,” Schelkner said. “At his age, he would be leaving his mom anyway. There’s no way of knowing if he had done that already or not, but he should be fine.”
She added the creature’s mother will be making a new litter so the newly returned bobcat would have moved on to a new location anyway.
The care the Wildlife Haven provided for the bobcat is one Schelkner said she won’t forget.
“I don’t expect it to happen again,” she said of aiding a wild bobcat. “It was a challenge, but it was worth every minute, especially with the good recovery. “
