Crime & Safety
3 Bobcat Sightings in New Canaan in as Many Months
Along with the three bobcat sightings in New Canaan, in Newtown a big cat was seen (see end of article about that instance).
By DJ McAneny
New Canaan had a bobcat sighting again last week, marking the third sighting in as many months, though the two most recent were very close together, said New Canaan Animal Control authorities.
According to Officer Mary Ann Kleinschmitt, New Canaan has at least one, but possibly two bobcats moving around within town lines. It's been difficult to pin down which scenario is accurate because the sightings have occurred on opposite sides of town and she's only been able to obtain photographic documentation of a single sighting.
- On Thursday, August 15, a sighting was reported along Hickory Drive at approximately 8:15 a.m.
- On August 5, a sighting was reported on Skyview Lane near Ponus Ridge.
- On June 10, a bobcat was sighted in the backyard of 308 North Wilton Road. It was the first and only incident Kleinschmitt as able to verify with a photo.
"It was a two-week period and we had sightings across town," Kleinschmitt said. "I'm not yet sure if it's one animal traveling all the way across town, or two separate animals."
Kleinschmitt said male bobcats can reach 45 to 50 pounds, while females can reach 35 to 45 pounds. Knowing the size of a bobcat when one is spotted could help her determine how many are moving around in the area, she said.
Editor's note: This article originally was published by New Canaan Patch
Update 9:14 a.m.:
Editor's note: The following short article by Davis Dunavin was originally published by Newtown Patch:
Resident Deena Skowronski Szklarz saw this big cat in her backyard this weekend. She asks: mountain lion or bobcat?
Neither creature is a stranger to Newtown, but if you'd like to do some detective work for yourself, here's a picture of a mountain lion and a picture of a bobcat. At first glance, the creature in question appears to be a mountain lion -- the cats have shorter fur and tails, unlike bobcats. Stay tuned -- we'll talk to Animal Control for an update on whether either animal has been seen in Newtown recently.
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