Pro Tip: Don’t do this.
That warning from Colorado Parks and Wildlife after a woman from Colorado Springs spotted an injured bobcat, scooped it up and put it in the back of her SUV, under a blanket just a few feet from child in a car seat.
Sure, she just wanted to help. Who wouldn’t?
“See this bobcat? Notice its large teeth? Imagine the claws within its big paws,” the parks and wildlife service tweeted. “NEVER PICK UP WILD ANIMALS.”
“She was lucky,” it added.
See this bobcat? Notice its large teeth? Imagine the claws within its big paws. A #ColoradoSprings woman picked up this injured wild cat and put it in her car where her child was seated! NEVER PICK UP WILD ANIMALS. She was lucky. Please call @COParksWildlife and let us handle. pic.twitter.com/ZbhlnmRwdH
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) September 19, 2019
“Luckily, it was too injured to react to being picked up and placed in a car,” parks and wildlife added.
But. But. But.
“This could have been tragic,” it added.
We removed the bobcat, which was mortally wounded. Luckily, it was too injured to react to being picked up and placed in a car. But no one should EVER try this. This could have been tragic. pic.twitter.com/x5aqqnGWIC
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) September 19, 2019
Parks and Wildlife Officer Sarah Watson responded to the call Sept. 18.
The wild bobcat wasn’t restrained in any way.
This is the sight that greeted @COParksWildlife officer Sarah Watson when she responded to a call about an injured bobcat on Wednesday. An unrestrained wild bobcat in the back of an SUV under a blanket. A child’s car seat was just feet away. NEVER PICK UP WILDLIFE! pic.twitter.com/x8GXL0zvNv
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) September 19, 2019
The adult male cat was hissing, growling and swiping at Watson when she restrained it with a catch pole.
It turned out the animal’s hind legs were paralyzed.
The big cat couldn’t be saved. It was euthanized.
The adult male bobcat was alert, hissing and growling, as Officer Watson secured it with a catch pole. It struggled and swiped at her with its front claws. Upon examination, she saw the estimated 25-pound bobcat’s rear legs were paralyzed so she humanely euthanized the animal.
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) September 19, 2019
So the next time you see an injured animal. Call the experts for help.
Photos CPW SE Region/Twitter
