Is There a Bobcat in Wilmington?

Photo: Wilmington’s Veterans Agent Lou Cimaglia took this picture of a bobcat in May 2014 on Allen Park Drive in Wilmington.

It seems we may have a bobcat right here in Wilmington.

Over the past month or two several residents have said they’ve seen a bobcat in town. This follows even more reported sightings over the past year.

Stephanie Parker says she and her family have thought they had a bobcat living in the woods behind their house on Kilmarnock Street for a year now because they heard it last summer and saw tracks in the snow over the winter.

On Saturday morning, she says their suspicions were confirmed when they saw the bobcat walking along the train tracks.

“It is very common for coyotes to use the railroad tracks to travel, because nobody goes on them and there’s no people to bother them. So the bobcats probably do the same thing,” says Mark Holleran who has set up a trail cam 200 feet into the woods behind his house capturing all sorts of wildlife living right here in Wilmington.

And Parker isn’t the only one to have spotted a bobcat around town.

About a month ago, Debbie Carriere saw one while she was running on Wildwood Street just after the cemetery heading toward the Wildwood School. And she’s 100 percent certain it was a bobcat.

In November, one was spotted crossing Rte. 38, much to the surprise of anyone who saw it.

In May 2014, Wilmington’s Veteran’s agent Lou Cimaglia saw one on Allen Park Drive and captured it in the photo above.

Bobcats, while not a common sight, aren’t uncommon at all. Last fall a bobcat attacked a dog a few towns away in Chelmsford. At the time of the attack, neighbors in that town told a local television station there was a family of four bobcats in the area. They had hoped to have the animals relocated, but state guidelines do not allow for wild animals to be removed or relocated.

Bobcats have been seen all over the area, including in neighboring Chelmsford, Westford and Bedford.

According to Mass Wildlife, adult bobcats weigh between 15 and 35 pounds and measure 28 to 47 inches in length. Male bobcats are about 33 percent larger than the female bobcats.

And while bobcats don’t attack people, you do need to keep your pets safe. Here are some tips for pet owners this goes for all sorts of wildlife including bobcats and coyotes which have been spotted throughout the area:

• Always walk your dog on a leash
• Don’t attract predators to your yard – clean up brushy areas or woodpiles, and remove any food sources.
• Don’t allow cats to roam free outdoors.
• Never encourage or allow your pet to interact or “play” with wildlife.
• Make sure your fence is in good repair.
• Do not leave pets unattended outdoors.
• Remove food sources, i.e. fallen fruit, food refuse, pet food.