The new bobcat exhibit scheduled to open at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore March 18 has been postponed due to complications as a result of the ice storm March 14.
The zoo has renovated space in the Maryland Wilderness area to create a bobcat exhibit, and has several bobcats moving in. Kilgore, who was named for the falls in Rocks State Park, and Josie, who was recently acquired from the Tulsa Zoo, are taking up residence in the new exhibit.
Kilgore has been cared for by the animal team since September, when he arrived from Oregon. An Oregon fisherman found Kilgore when he was approximately 6 weeks old and weighed less than 2 pounds. Since he was found alone at such a young age, he was not a candidate for release back in the wild, a zoo press release explained.
“We are thrilled to announce renovations to the exhibit space next to the otters to bring bobcats to the zoo,” says Don Hutchinson, president/CEO of The Maryland Zoo. “Bobcats, while seldom seen, are native to Maryland and it seems fitting to repurpose the space for such an enigmatic species.”
Bobcats are nocturnal, so humans rarely see them, but they are actually the most abundant wild cat in the U.S., according to Erin Cantwell, mammal collection and conservation manager at the zoo.
When it opens, the new exhibit will have plenty of vertical space to give the bobcats room to climb and jump and plenty of viewing for visitors.
Zoo Bloom and Farm Day will still occur March 18 with special activities and treats for visitors and the animals. It will be a great chance to see the new giraffe calf, Willow, and the new grizzly cub sisters. Zoo Bloom will run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For details visit the Maryland Zoo website at marylandzoo.org
By Betsy Stein
