Be On the Lookout: Bobcat Sightings on the Rise in Connecticut

While they may look charming from a distance, these powerful felines are formidable predators. Bobcats, approximately twice the size of domestic cats, can sprint at impressive speeds of 25 to 30 mph. They also have the astounding ability to leap up to 12 feet, making them highly effective hunters.

Believe it or not, the bobcat was almost wiped out until 1972, when it gained protected status and hunting became illegal. Fast-forward to 2025, and a recent report from the Hartford Courant says these cool yet dangerous cats were spotted in 152 towns across Connecticut, and the bobcat comeback continues.

Hearst CT Media recently shared that someone spotted a bobcat hanging out in a neighborhood close to Quinnipiac University back in mid-March. According to News 12, a video showing a grown bobcat confidently strolling through the area is making the rounds among folks in the Westover community in Stamford.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) told the Hartford Courant that they think there are around 2,000 to 3,000 bobcats hanging out in the state. After a four-year study, they found that a lot of these bobcats actually live in urban areas, often right near homes, because there are plenty of mice, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums hiding in the underbrush between houses. Wildlife biologist Jason Hawley from DEEP told Hearst CT Media, "Connecticut's a good place to be if you're a bobcat."

In June 2023, a group of camp counselors at Selden Neck Wilderness School had a wild run-in with nature. Out of nowhere, a bobcat showed up at their campsite and attacked one of the counselors who was relaxing in a hammock. When the other counselors saw what was happening, they quickly jumped in and took down the bobcat.

Deputy Commissioner Michael Williams told NBC Connecticut, "Due to their courageous and outstanding efforts, the safety of the youth was maintained, and they were not harmed." This raises the question: Should we be concerned about bobcats as a wildlife threat? The answers can be found in the photo gallery that follows.