The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center’s work with these bobcats reflects a broader mission: protecting native wildlife and the ecosystems they support. The successful release of a predator species is considered a strong indicator of overall ecosystem health.
The pair — a male and a female — had been at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke since last summer, when they were brought in as kittens. It cost about $60 a day just to feed them, and staff put in months of hard work to prepare them for release.
Three bobcat kittens rescued by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in 2025 are healthy and doing well. They’ve grown quite a bit since last summer. They have large claws, teeth and quite the appetite.
“The bobcats are doing great. They have probably tripled, not quadrupled in size at this point. They’re eating the equivalent of one whole chicken a day … but they’re doing wonderful,” said SWVA Wildlife Center Executive Director Chester Leonard.
An elusive creature rarely seen, but most notably heard at dusk in the Blue Ridge Mountains have captured the communities fascination for decades. Two new bobcat kittens just arrived at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke, bringing their litter now up to three.
The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has welcomed its first bobcat kitten of 2025. It’s distinct sounds can once again be heard at the Roanoke facility. Watch as 10 News Anchor Rachel Lucas got to feed the kitten rescued in Floyd County.
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The bobcat that sent one man to the hospital and attacked two others has tested positive for rabies, according to the Mount Rogers Health District.
