Animals are a wonderful addition to many of our lives. Of course, domesticated pets are beloved by millions of people, and many of us are fond of wild animals, too: that's why activities like bird-watching and whale-watching are so popular. However, our close proximity to animals can also be dangerous, as residents of one small town in Georgia have found out recently. Winterville, GA is a charming little town in Oglethorpe County, with a population of under 1,200. It's been in the news over the last few weeks for an unfortunate reason, though. There's an aggressive bobcat on the loose, and it's important for people to follow steps to stay safe.
In general, Winterville is a pretty uneventful town. It lies about 20 minutes outside of Athens and is in a rural area compromised of farmland.
The town's rural attributes mean that it's not uncommon for locals to come in contact with wild animals, and it is not unusual to see deer, raccoons, opossums, groundhogs, coyotes, and more here.
Lately, however, there have been sightings of an aggressive bobcat. In October 2023, a 3-year-old and 14-year-old child were both attacked by the bobcat on the same day. Both children were injured, but recovered. There were also news reports that the bobcat had injured at least two dogs in the area.
Bobcats are native to just about all of America. They weigh about 15-20 pounds and are generally nocturnal, though they may be seen hunting during the day on occasion.
It's not known if the aggressive bobcat is rabid, but it definitely seems to have lost its fear of humans.
Never leave out food for wild animals, as this often causes them to develop an association of people with food.
Hopefully, there won't be any more attacks from this bobcat, but people should remain vigilant and careful.
Never leave dogs outdoors unattended. Always keep cats indoors or contained in outdoor catios, as this is much safer for both the cat and wildlife.
Just because you see a typically nocturnal animal like a bobcat or raccoon outdoors in the day, this does not mean that they are rabid.
Do not interact with or handle wildlife. If you find a wild animal that has been injured or appears ill, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find a list of wildlife rehabbers on the Georgia DNR website.
In general, wild animals will not go out of their way to harm you, and bobcat attacks on humans are extremely rare. Always stay vigilant around wild animals and teach your children to be especially careful when playing outside. If you're spending a lot of time outdoors, it may be worth investing in some bear spray to use as a deterrent in the unlikely situation that you do come in contact with an aggressive animal.
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