Bobcat or tiger?

Published 10:32 am Monday, January 16, 2012

The Suwannee Democrat has received numerous calls over a mysterious cat-like image that was captured on a camera in the southern part of the county last week. The talk going around is that there is a Bengal tiger on the loose from a game farm off CR 129 near the sighting.

However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the animal captured on camera is more likely a bobcat. While the game farm off CR 129 has tigers, FWC ensures us that all the cats there are accounted for.

“The photos are inconclusive. The bioligists who have examined the photos believe it may be a bobcat, but because of poor quality of the photographs, it is difficult to make a positive identification,” FWC spokesperson Karen Parker stated.

Parker said that an FWC official went to the site Thursday, Jan. 12, but due to rain the day before, the officer wasn’t able to find any tracks.

“He has instructed the landowners on how to prepare the ground and preserve any tracks that may be found,” said Parker.