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FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2006
This bobcat was caught in an illegal leghold trap in California. |
The early morning call came from the California Department of Fish and Game. They had been notified of a bobcat caught in a leghold trap—which is illegal in California thanks to a successful 1998 ballot measure led by The HSUS and The Fund for Animals—and further caught in some fencing. They requested The Fund for Animals' Wildlife Center's assistance in removing the bobcat safely from the trap and providing any necessary medical care.
Arriving on the scene The Fund for Animals' Wildlife Center staff found that the bobcat had caught his left front paw in the trap and by sheer strength, had broken the chain holding the trap. However as he attempted to climb over the fence, the trap and his paw became twisted in loose barbed wire. He was found hanging from the fence with his feet barely touching the ground. The scared cat was extremely strong and defensive. In order to avoid further injuries to the bobcat and incurring any themselves, the WRC staff temporarily anesthetized the bobcat to safely remove him from the fence-and the trap.
After the bobcat was transported to the center, staff performed a physical examination and took some x-rays. Leg-hold traps cause severe injuries to the animals they detain. When they snap shut with crushing force, they break bones and cause lacerations. Much of the damage, however, is caused when the animal struggles to free himself, twisting and turning in a bid for freedom, biting the metal jaws. In this case, the tests revealed that the cat's apparent thrashing had caused a fracture in the radius bone of the forearm. Fortunately, and remarkably, the fracture was in perfect alignment, and the other forearm bone, the ulna, was perfectly intact and served as a splint. Thus, the bobcat would have a full range of rotational stability in his forearm, and orthopedic surgery would be unnecessary.
The bobcat then was placed in a large "recovery room" in the medical center as he was brought out of anesthesia. His hearty appetite made it possible to give him a full regimen of prophylactic antibiotics, which will prevent any disease from occurring.
In just over five weeks the bobcat had developed excellent mobility on the injured forearm, without even a limp. He was transferred to a large, outside enclosure, where he immediately began running and navigating the logs and catwalks. Approximately two weeks later, after good conditioning of his atrophied muscles, he was lured into a carrier and was transported back to the habitat from which he came.
The gate was opened, and he immediately bolted from the carrier, his feet barely touching the ground as he disappeared into the thick brush. This bobcat was incredibly lucky; he was able to break the chain anchoring the leg hold trap to the ground, he had no serious injuries caused by the vicious jaws of the trap, his own forearm bones formed a perfect splint to aid his healing, and he was able to receive medical care and recuperate in a protected environment. Freedom, evading him for almost two months, was once again his to enjoy.
Posted April 10, 2006
