Kyle police provide safety tips after bobcat sighting
Authorities are reminding Hill Country residents to take proper precautions after a bobcat was spotted on a local walking trail.
The Kyle Police Department said it received a report May 14 about a possible mountain lion sighting at Cool Springs Park. After further investigation, the agency’s animal control division and Texas Parks and Wildlife determined the animal was actually a bobcat.
Bobcats are medium-sized, reddish-brown felines with tufted ears and long fur on their heads, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. The reclusive creatures are primarily active at night and eat small mammals and birds.
Kyle police posted a list of tips to keep residents and their pets safe, including keeping dogs on leashes while walking them, ensuring all pets are indoors from dusk until dawn and bringing pet food inside overnight.
“If you come across wildlife, avoid turning your back to the animal,” the May 20 post read. “Instead, walk away slowly and deliberately while making noise.”
It’s not unusual for bobcats to be spotted in and around the Hill Country, especially as residential construction pushes them away from their natural habitats. Facebook users who commented on the post echoed the sentiment, sharing stories of the bobcats they’ve encountered in areas including Creekside Village and Brooks Ranch.
Some claimed they’ve come across a mountain lion during excursions in Hays County.
In the comment section, the police department shared an image displaying the size difference between a mountain lion, bobcat, dog, house cat and human.
Texas Parks and Wildlife says adult bobcats typically grow to slightly over 3 feet long and weigh between 12-20 pounds. Mountain lions, on the other hand, can be up to 7 feet long and weigh 170 pounds.