Research Project Focuses on Bobcats - Iowa Department of Natural Resources
10/06/03
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University have joined together in a three year research project to learn more about bobcat populations and where the animals are located in an eight county area in south central Iowa.
Todd Gosselink, forest wildlife research biologist with the DNR, said hunters, trappers and the general public are an important ingredient in this project.
"The general public can help us by recording bobcat sightings and by letting us know when they have accidentally caught a bobcat in a trap," Gosselink said. The DNR will also be collecting bobcats killed on Iowa roadways.
There are four public meetings to discuss the research project. Bobcat ecology and the public's involvement in the study will be discussed at the meetings. The meetings are Oct. 7, at the Warren County Conservation Board's Annett Nature Center, 1555 188th Ave., Indianola; Oct. 9, at the Weldon Community Center, Hwy. J12, Weldon; Oct. 14, at the Lucas County Conservation Board's Pin Oak Lodge Nature Center, 54996 Hwy. 14, Chariton; and Oct. 16, at the Appanoose County Conservation Board's Center 2000 Nature Center, 25100 520th St., Centerville. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.
The DNR will be tagging live bobcats with radio collars in Marion, Warren, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe Decatur, Wayne and Appanoose counties.
