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NEED TO KNOW
- A Kansas family discovered what they thought was a normal kitten during a storm — only to later realize they were taking care of a baby bobcat
- The family called animal control, which was able to keep the baby animal safe and warm overnight
- The bobcat kitten was ultimately reunited with its mother the following day in an “incredible” reunion caught on camera
A baby bobcat and its mother has been reunited after becoming separated during a storm in Kansas.
“During a recent severe thunderstorm, our Animal Control Officers responded to a very unexpected, and very wild, intruder!’ the Lenexa Police Department said in a statement shared on Instagram.
The police stated that a local family had discovered the kitten in their home “likely seeking shelter from the storm.”
“Animal Control Officer safely captured the young feline and kept it warm and secure overnight,” the police’s statement continued. “The next day, with clearer skies, the kitten was safely released and happily reunited with its mother nearby.”
House residents Lilly Novak and her girlfriend, Morgan, thought they had discovered a normal kitten — until they realized something was different about the adorable creature, according to local news outlet KCTV.
Lenexa Police Department/Facebook
“It was a little bit bigger in size than maybe a little kitten would be … and its ears were rounded,” she explained, adding, “[We] went from thinking we were saving a baby kitten, maybe being able to have a new kitten, to then this is a bobcat, what are we supposed to do?” she told the outlet.
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“I mean, it was just a regular Tuesday night for us. We were just playing, and we were going to do bedtime [with the kids]. And then it just took a detour, but it was just shocking,” Lilly added.
Lilly told KCTV that their doorbell camera caught the bobcat mother circling their home several times that night, likely looking for their kitten. She added that seeing the kitten and mother reunite the following morning was an “incredible” sight to witness.
“[It was] incredible to see, especially in your own backyard when you recognize all the trees and everything, and then you see these interesting creatures, so it was really, really cool,” she added.
In their statement, Lenexa Police told the public that “encounters with suburban wildlife” may become more common as their community grows.
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“We’re committed to helping our community safely co-exist with the wild animals that share our environment. Let’s work together to protect both people and wildlife in our beautiful community,” they added.
