Rare bobcat spotted at Prairie Oaks Metro Park
A rare and exciting wildlife moment was captured on a trail camera at Prairie Oaks Metro Park: a bobcat trotting down a trail before slipping back into the brush. Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks shared the video publicly and noted the sighting happened in the early morning hours of Nov. 21.
For central Ohio, this kind of sighting is still uncommon, but it’s a hopeful sign.
Are bobcats common in Ohio?
Bobcats are native to Ohio, but they were largely eliminated from the state by the mid-1800s due to habitat loss and persecution. In recent decades, they’ve been making a steady comeback, with the strongest populations in eastern and southern Ohio and occasional confirmed sightings expanding into other regions.
Should people be worried?
Generally, no. Bobcats are shy, solitary animals that typically avoid people. If you’re lucky enough to see one, the best thing you can do is give it space and enjoy the moment from a distance.
That said, like any wild predator, bobcats can be a risk to small, unattended pets outdoors—so it’s smart to keep small animals supervised, especially at dawn/dusk.
What you can do
Visit our Wildlife Protection advocacy page to explore current legislation, learn about bobcats and other native species, and find ways to get involved.
Seeing a bobcat is a reminder of how important habitat is, and how much our parks and natural areas matter.
If you spot a bobcat (or signs like tracks):
Keep your distance (never approach or try to follow)
Leash dogs and keep pets supervised outdoors
Report the sighting to help biologists track recovery
ODNR has an online Wildlife Reporting System where the public can submit bobcat sightings.
Source: Dispatch.com
