I have lived in Arizona for 19 years, and have always felt cheated that I haven't seen a bobcat. Now we have one living in our neighborhood, near Ft Lowell and Campbell.
Steve first saw him in our front yard on June 19. Our cat Sunbeam knew all about him, too, and has been much less interested in going outside than she used to be.
Our neighborhood listserv, which was set up as a crime watch, was abuzz with bobcat sightings. Most people thought it was wonderful, but a few thought the bobcat was a threat to children and pets, and wanted to form a posse to capture and relocate him, which of course would mean he would die. A few people noted that the abundant coyote packs that visit our neighborhood via Christmas Wash are a much more significant threat to pets, and no one is suggesting that we should or even could get rid of the coyotes.
The owner of the listserv announced that we were only supposed to discuss suspicious activity and crime on the listserv, and if anyone mentioned the bobcat again, she would bar them from the listserv. So we wondered for a few weeks whether the cat had been captured. Then we saw him in our yard. What a thrill! We feel so honored.
He's really gorgeous. Orange spots on ginger background with a short black and white tail. The fur on the sides of his face sweeps out into an down curving ruff with black and white stripes.
I love, love, love living in Tucson.
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