After Rare Bobcat Sightings In Area Rye Police Share Safety Tips

RYE, NY — One of the Sound Shore's most timid neighbors has been spotted recently, and public safety officials are reminding us to give our skittish, but wild friends their space.

Rye police are alerting residents after the department recently received reports of bobcat sightings in the area. The Rye Police Department said bobcats are native to New York and are generally secretive, though they can occasionally be seen in suburban areas.

The notice focused on safety steps for anyone who comes across the animal. Wildlife experts recommend that people keep their distance and not approach or attempt to feed a bobcat. The department also said residents should make noise and slowly back away, giving the animal plenty of space to leave the area.

Police said small pets should be kept indoors or properly restrained, particularly when wildlife has been observed nearby. The department also warned residents never to attempt to capture, handle or corner a bobcat. The guidance comes with a broader reminder that wild animals should be given room to move along on their own.

The Rye Police Department said bobcat attacks on people are extremely rare and that sightings alone are generally not a cause for alarm.

Residents who see a bobcat are encouraged to report the sighting to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The reports help wildlife biologists monitor bobcat distribution and populations throughout New York.