The History of the Bobcat in NJ

The bobcats' population began to decline in the 1800s due to forests being cleared for natural resources such as lumber and fuel, as well as to make room for more agriculture. The population was in such decline that in the 1970s, it was thought that the bobcat was locally extinct in the state of New Jersey. From 1978-1982, the Division of Fish and Wildlife conducted a resoration project in which 24 bobcats were taken from Maine and then released into the wild in north NJ.

Even though the Bobcat is endangered in New Jersey, their elusive nature makes them difficult to track and study these animals, so the bobcat may be more widespread than originally thought. The future for the bobcat is looking up, as they appear to be fairly well established in the hardwood forests of north New Jersey.

(http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/mammal_info.htm)

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