PHOTOS: Injured bobcats rehabilitated and released by Think Wild Wildlife Hospital

Two juvenile bobcats were returned to the wild on March 20 following a 10-month rehabilitation at Think Wild's Wildlife Hospital. The sibling pair was released at a remote site near Dayville in coordination with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The bobcats, one male and one female, were originally rescued on May 19, 2025, after being found alone on the side of a road in Condon. At the time of their rescue, the kittens were approximately four weeks old, weighed less than a pound and suffered from dehydration and hypothermia. Their mother was presumed to have been killed by a vehicle.

Upon arrival at the facility, the kittens required immediate medical intervention. Dr. Laura Acevedo, a veterinarian at Think Wild, oversaw their initial stabilization. "The bobcats arrived at Think Wild requiring immediate stabilization, fluid therapy, thermal support and antiparasitic treatment," Acevedo said. "From the outset, their rehabilitation was structured not only to support recovery, but to prevent habituation and preserve species-appropriate behavior."

Over several months, the siblings progressed from formula to a whole-prey diet consisting of mice, rats and chicks. Staff members wore full-body camouflage and face masks during interactions to ensure the bobcats maintained a natural fear of humans. This strategy was intended to help the animals retain species-appropriate behaviors necessary for survival in the wild.

The animals were housed in an enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat with native vegetation, logs and varied terrain. This environment encouraged movements such as climbing, digging and stalking. These activities helped the bobcats develop the physical coordination and hunting skills they would rely on following their release.

Before returning to the wild, the bobcats passed a live prey testing protocol to confirm they could hunt independently. They successfully hunted mice, rats, quail and rabbits, demonstrating consistent predatory responses. Staff monitored the trials to ensure the animals could effectively kill prey across multiple sessions.

Because the kittens were orphaned at four weeks old, Think Wild utilized a soft release strategy to ease their transition. The bobcats spent 24 hours in an outdoor enclosure at the release site to acclimate to the environment. On the second day, the enclosure door was opened, allowing them to leave at their own pace while supplemental food remained available.

The siblings eventually exited their kennel and moved into the surrounding habitat. Dr. Sue Dougherty, a board director at Think Wild, photographed the event. "As they trotted up the hillside, I stood watching through my camera lens… The air was cool and breezy and felt…Free," Dougherty said. "I can only imagine how exhilarating it must be for two young bobcats to have their first leap into their natural world!"

Bobcats are native predators that help maintain ecological balance, though they face threats from rodenticides and vehicle strikes. Sally Compton, executive director of Think Wild, emphasized the importance of returning predators to the landscape. "Returning these animals to the landscape where they belong supports natural balance and it's especially meaningful when the reason for their rescue was due to human conflict in the first place," Compton said. Compton noted that the hospital team successfully raised the orphans while preventing human habituation.

Think Wild will host its 6th Annual Wildlife Baby Shower, a fundraiser and donation drive to support the hospital during the upcoming busy season. Residents who find injured or orphaned wildlife are encouraged to contact the organization's wildlife hotline at 541-241-8680.