HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s Animal Control Officer is cautioning people not to approach wildlife, particularly bobcats, that are venturing into town.
While the Houlton Police Department received no official reports of any bobcats roaming the streets, ACO Dave Rairdon said it is not uncommon for these animals to come close to residences, especially in the winter months.
“I have heard from from various people that these animals were in the area,” Rairdon said. “I do know we have had confirmation of bobcats in the area before though.”
Rairdon said he personally witnessed six such animals at the Houlton-Hodgdon town line on the White Settlement Road around the end of November while driving with his wife. At first, he thought the animals in the road were raccoons, but as they got closer he discovered they were bobcats.
“Prior to that, I had not seen a bobcat in 20 years,” he said. “I do know there have been a lot of photos and videos of them on Facebook.”
Houlton resident Laurie Miller said she took a photo of one Dec. 15 around 1:15 p.m. near the intersection of Pleasant Street and the Foxcroft Road. She did not post the photo publicly, but did share it with friends in her neighborhood.
“I actually drove by, turned around and went back and took the pic,” she said.
According to Rairdon, bobcats are making their way around town limits, but he doesn’t see them as any threat to the community. In his opinion, people with bird feeders are the likely reason for the animals venturing into town.
“Birds and squirrels are coming to these feeders and bobcats prey on both,” he said. “They will kill a cat if they can get it cornered. But I don’t think they are any danger to people.”
He did note that if a resident was concerned about a bobcat in their neighborhood, they can call the Houlton Police Department at 532-2287 or the Northern Division Warden Service Headquarters in Ashland at 435-3231 or the Regional Communication Center (Houlton) 1-800-924-2261.
