Wildlife Center Raises Two Orphaned Bobcat Kittens
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center is caring for two bobcat kittens rescued after land clearing disrupted their den in Chatham.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Wildlife
The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center received two bobcat kittens on September 28 after land clearing disrupted their Chatham den. The kittens were about five days old, with eyes still closed, and staff are now raising them in a remodeled fox enclosure.
Why it matters
The rescue illustrates how habitat disruption can leave young wildlife orphaned, and it shows how rehabilitation centers absorb substantial cost and labor to care for animals that cannot be returned to the wild immediately. For Roanoke-area residents, the center serves as a regional resource for displaced wildlife.
The center received the kittens after land clearing disrupted their Chatham den, and they are being raised apart from two older bobcats found in spring. The estimated $25,000 cost of caring for the pair, plus a $20,000 fox enclosure remodel, has not been broken down further in the source.
The players
Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center
A Roanoke-based wildlife rehabilitation facility that cares for injured, orphaned and displaced wild animals across Southwest Virginia.
The details
Caregivers wear masks and stay silent during feedings to limit human exposure, and staff member Garvin and her husband share overnight feeding duties. The kittens opened their eyes roughly 10 days after arrival, and staff expect less handling as solid food replaces bottles.
Timeline
September 28, 2026: The center received the two bobcat kittens after their den was disrupted.
Roughly 10 days after arrival: The kittens opened their eyes.
Spring 2026: Two older bobcats were found and entered the center's care.
Seasonal Patterns
The kittens were born far beyond the bobcat's usual spring birthing season, a departure from the species' typical reproductive timing. That deviation adds an unusual dimension to the rescue, since most young bobcats in the region enter the world in spring.
For Roanoke-area residents who encounter displaced or injured wildlife, the center offers a regional point of care. The rescue also shows that land clearing near wild habitat can create orphaned animals that require costly, long-term care.
The takeaway
Habitat disruption from land clearing can leave young wildlife without shelter, and rehabilitation centers often bear the cost and effort of raising them. Residents who find orphaned animals should contact a licensed wildlife center rather than attempting to raise them alone.
Further reading
Explore more Wildlife coverage to see how rehabilitation centers handle displaced animals.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Cool Down.
