Bobcat Kitten Rescued From FL Brush Fire

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A bobcat kitten was pulled to safety by firefighters battling a Charlotte County brush fire on May 24.

Bayshore Fire Rescue volunteer firefighter Julian Roman-Kulwicki was assisting with the fire on Orange Blossom Boulevard when he found the young bobcat meowing and crawling over a pile of ashes, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) said in a news release.

He wrapped the kitten in his jacket and brought it out of the burn area to safety.

The kitten, thought to be 4- to 6-weeks-old, was brought to CROW, for specialized wildlife care.

The organization’s veterinarians didn’t find any burns, injuries or issues with its lungs, though the kitten continues to be closely monitored, CROW said.

“Right now, she is stable and resting comfortably in our care, which is encouraging,” Dr. Jessica Comolli, CROW’s research and medical director, said. “One of our biggest concerns at this stage is the possibility of smoke inhalation. Even when animals appear stable initially, respiratory complications can develop over time, so we are monitoring her very closely.”

They’re hopeful the kitten can be returned to the wild.

"This tiny bobcat may not understand what happened that day, but because someone took the time to care, its story now has a hopeful ending,” Bayshore Fire Rescue wrote in a social media post.