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Freedom for the Bobcat: A Story of Rescue, Recovery, and Release

A young bobcat struck by a vehicle in Bonita Springs is now back in the wild—strong, healed, and ready to thrive—thanks to a powerful collaboration between conservation organizations, community members, and expert veterinarians across Florida.

This rescue journey began when a supporter of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida discovered the injured bobcat on April 9. The wildcat had a fractured front leg and was missing two toes on its right paw, likely from trauma. The supporter transported the bobcat to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital, where Dr. Kendall Carlin stabilized it and confirmed, along with FWC veterinarians, that the injuries were survivable

Surgical repair was performed by Dr. Lauren Aldrich at BluePearl Pet Hospital, using a fracture plate donated by Arthrex, a global leader in orthopedic innovation. Further procedures improved the function of the paw, ensuring the bobcat could walk, climb, and hunt again.

After initial care, the bobcat was transferred to the South Florida Wildlife Center in Fort Lauderdale, where it received several months of specialized rehabilitation. Housed in a Class II outdoor enclosure, the animal recovered with minimal human interaction to preserve its wild instincts.

Our Medical Director, Dr. Horgan, officially cleared the bobcat for release once it passed critical health and mobility benchmarks. The bobcat was returned to a remote and protected habitat on Florida’s west coast—a location thoughtfully selected by the Conservancy team for long-term survival

“This patient was also missing its third and fourth toes on one foot—an unusual condition that, fortunately, did not impair its ability to hunt or survive on its own.
— SFWC, via Instagram

This rescue demonstrates the best of what’s possible when compassion, expertise, and teamwork come together to protect Florida’s wildlife.

Thank you to all our partners:

And most importantly—thank you to our supporters. Your donations and advocacy help us save lives like this every day.