These adorable bobcat kittens were found cozying up in their den thanks to GPS tracking
- 8 years ago
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA — A team of biologists tracking the movements of a female bobcat has been rewarded with the joyful discovery of a pair of kittens their subject recently gave birth to.
Lead biologist Joanne Moriarty and her team of National Park Service researchers tracked the mother bobcat’s GPS collar through the spring.
Noticing the female, named Bobcat-339, had been repeatedly visiting one particular spot in recent weeks, the researchers had a feeling she was pregnant. When they investigated using a GoPro, they discovered the two male kittens cozying up in a woodrat nest.
The little ones, now affectionately known as Bobcat B-340 and B-341, were then tagged and measured to allow the researchers to study their diets and behaviors, the findings aiding a continued effort to help protect wildlife habitats.
The scientists also set up a camera in the den to watch out for the mother’s return, assessing her health as she nurtures her babies. When she got back though, the little cat-pack’s stay was short-lived, and they soon moved out of the den, much to the delight of the former occupant of the nest — a woodrat.
Lead biologist Joanne Moriarty and her team of National Park Service researchers tracked the mother bobcat’s GPS collar through the spring.
Noticing the female, named Bobcat-339, had been repeatedly visiting one particular spot in recent weeks, the researchers had a feeling she was pregnant. When they investigated using a GoPro, they discovered the two male kittens cozying up in a woodrat nest.
The little ones, now affectionately known as Bobcat B-340 and B-341, were then tagged and measured to allow the researchers to study their diets and behaviors, the findings aiding a continued effort to help protect wildlife habitats.
The scientists also set up a camera in the den to watch out for the mother’s return, assessing her health as she nurtures her babies. When she got back though, the little cat-pack’s stay was short-lived, and they soon moved out of the den, much to the delight of the former occupant of the nest — a woodrat.