Fully Blind Bobcat Needs Placement

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Contact Information
Contact juniper.russo
Phone: (423) 475-2691

Country: USA

Species: Bobcat

Is rehabilitation complete?: no

This animal has potential as a : static display animal

This animal is: wild reared

Age: Juvenile

Reason for entering rehabilitation.:

“Persephone” is about four months old as of the date of the this posting (late May). She was found emaciated and completely blind in both eyes due to what my veterinarian believes is probably toxoplasmosis.

Days in care: 3

Issues developed while undergoing rehabilitation.:

N/A

Body condition score (5 point scale as defined on https://nagonline.net/3877/body-condition-scoring/): 1

Can the animal express species-typical behaviors (e.g. eat appropriate whole foods, climb, perch, groom, dig, fly, swim, ambulate normally for species)?:

She is still too ill to fully evaluate how she will do when she is ready for transfer, but so far, she shows normal ambulation and is eating, climbing, and grooming herself normally. She would benefit from a modified habitat and modified enrichment due to her blindness.

Can the animal be handled without negative welfare affects?: no

This is how the animal currently reacts when a frequent caregiver nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

She is currently fearful of the sound of humans, but I believe she can be habituated and will eventually be able to tolerate some handling without negative implications for her welfare. She is still very young.

This is how the animal currently reacts when a stranger nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

She entered rehabilitation so recently that there is not yet any difference in familiar and unfamiliar people.

This animal is currently house : alone

Will the animal need continuous medical care (e.g. medication)?: no

Physical health welfare assessment: neutral

Mental/emotional health welfare assessment: neutral

More Information

Persephone is a beautiful young bobcat who we expect to be medically stable for transfer to an education facility in late July. She is bilaterally 100% blind but our vet believes she can have a good quality of life in the right hands. She is currently fearful of humans but I believe she can habituated to some degree of human contact over time since she is still very young. She would do well as a static exhibit animal but would not be suitable as a hands-on ambassador. She may need a left enucleation when she is more stable. (This will be handled prior to transfer.) I would greatly prefer that she go to a GFAS, BCSA, or AZA accredited facility, but any licensed education facility that can meet her needs is acceptable. Please contact me if you can give this beautiful girl the quality of life she deserves.

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