Close encounter with bobcat caught on video in Parkland
A video of a bobcat roaming the Parkland neighbourhood has been attracting attention after Calgary resident Jeff Solmosan documented a sighting of the animal.
Solmosan, whose video was recently posted on the Facebook page of the Calgary Parkland Community Association and shared hundreds of times, said while he’s never seen a bobcat in the neighbourhood before, he has been spotting the animals around the Fish Creek area over the past few months.
When he was visiting family in Parkland about two weeks ago, his wife April saw the bobcat out the window and Solmosan rushed outside to capture a video of it on his phone. The animal knew he was there the whole time he was filming it, but didn’t seem to mind him being around, he added.
“I was following him down the street … He was well aware that I was there,” Solmosan said.
He said it was a unique chance to observe the large animal up close.
“They’re a beautiful animal,” he said.
Solmosan added he doesn’t want people to be worried after seeing the video of the animal in a residential area.
“I don’t think it’s a big concern, personally,” he said. “I know people with small dogs might be concerned.”
According to Alberta Environment and Parks, fish and wildlife officers receive many reports of bobcat sightings each year. The animals feed mostly on rabbits, hares and other small mammals like mice and squirrels.
Bobcats are not considered a danger to humans, but if the animals are in the area, pet owners are advised to keep cats indoors and supervise small dogs when they are in the yard.
To prevent bobcats from coming on to your property, Alberta Environment has a list of tips, including: do not feed wildlife; keep garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids; put garbage and recycling out only on the morning of collection; do not leave pet food outdoors; trim trees, shrubs and grass and close off spaces under decks so there is no shelter for bobcats to hide in.