October 21, 2019 3:20 a.m.
The second bobcat found at a Eugene school last week, was released to the wild on Friday by staff with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A release from the department, said based on its teeth, this bobcat was at least six months old. The animal was released in forested habitat on Bureau of Land Management land in Lane County.
ODFW’s physical evaluation showed the bobcat to be healthy. The bobcat has no signs of active infection or injury. Blood tests and x-rays also did not reveal any health issues.
The release said it’s not known if the two bobcats found at Oak Hill School last week were orphaned, abandoned by their mother, or naturally dispersing. Young bob cats may start to disperse away from their mother as early as six months old, so a bobcat born early in the spring could naturally disperse in the fall.
The two bobcats are likely siblings. Officials said the other one was euthanized due to what was called “abnormal behavior”. It had gotten into the school while children were present, and was trapped in a room.