Bobcat sighting in Tillsonburg
Article content
For the second time since early October, a ‘big cat’ has been reported in the area.
A bobcat was seen Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. in Tillsonburg on a trail just off Cranberry Road, north of North Street.
“It was one of those oh my God moments,” said Tillsonburg resident Joan Weston, who was out for a walk with her friend, Jan Watson from Toronto. “We were just walking along past the end of the Trans Canada Trail – and all of a sudden I said look, oh my God it’s a bobcat.
“It came out from the side of the trail, about 30 yards from us. We froze, it stared straight at us, it froze, then it turned around and just sauntered slowly down the trail,” she added.
It was said Weston, a surreal yet serene moment to see wildlife in its natural habitat.
“The sun was shining on it and it was just beautiful. We were posing no threat to it whatsoever and then it just went off the trail back into the bush.”
Weston had heard about the other big cat, and possible bobcat reported in the South Ridge subdivision several weeks ago, but never expected to actually see one in the wild, up close.
“My friend had seen one in the states and she confirmed that it was a bobcat and how rare this was to actually see one,” said Weston.
The trail they were on is adjacent to a section of bush and farmland, and is believed to continue on and end at Zenda Line in the north part of Tillsonburg.
Weston, an outdoor enthusiast, enjoys wildlife and spending time in nature. She has played an active role in helping protect parts of Tillsonburg’s natural areas, as an executive member of the Lake Lisgar Revitalization Project. She is thrilled to have seen such a beautiful creature up-close and would like to know that it may stay in the area unharmed.
“I don’t want anyone to hunt this bobcat or try to catch it or hurt it,” said Weston. “It wasn’t doing us or anyone else any harm – there was no threat, it was just like a big pussy cat walking down the trail, away from us.”
Weston said the bobcat was close enough to get a good look at and know that it wasn’t a domesticated animal. She also checked with officials at Long Point Region Conservation Authority in Tillsonburg as to details, measurements and markings that are common characteristics of a bobcat.
“With the sun shining on it, we didn’t see any spots but there was a black ring on the tip of the tail,” explained Weston. “It was very tawny and orange in colour,”
Despite not having a photo of the bobcat, it was a moment that will stay with Weston and her friend for a very long time.
“We were just in awe,” said Weston. “And just enjoying the moment.”