Bobcat Sighting – See Rare Video Of NJ’s Only Native Wild Cat

There was a rare sighting of New Jersey's only native wild cat -- a bobcat -- last Friday in Hillsborough, NJ.

The spotting is exciting not only because it's a chance to see an actual bobcat on the move through nature, but also because of how close they came to being extinct in New Jersey.

Gretchen Fowles, a biologist who’s spent nearly two decades researching bobcats in New Jersey says she has only ever seen three bobcats in the wild in the Garden State.

In an article for New Jersey Conservation in 2024, Fowles said that has something to do with how quick and elusive bobcats are.

“Bobcats are very challenging to study because they’re wide-ranging and elusive. They’re like a flash. I see one and that’s it … a split-second observation.”

The article describes what a New Jersey bobcat looks like.

"Bobcats...are far smaller than cougars or lions – about twice the size of a house cat.  Females generally weigh 18 to 25 pounds, while males can weigh up to 38 pounds.

Their markings range from spotted patterns to “tabby” stripes, and their distinctive bobbed tail has a black tip."

The Jersey Bobcat Was Spotted at Duke Farms

Duke Farms is a center for environmental stewardship in Hillsborough, NJ,  with a mission to restore nature.

The 2,700-acre farm is the former residence of Doris Duke, who requested that Duke Farms be used to protect wildlife and do research.

Duke Farms posted on Facebook about the bobcat sighting.

 A wild success story at Duke Farms

Last week our team spotted a bobcat—the only wild cat in New Jersey—roaming through Duke Farms. This rare sighting is more than just exciting; it’s a testament to decades of conservation work.

Through habitat restoration, reforestation, and regenerative land management, we’ve created a thriving ecosystem where native wildlife can return and flourish. Bobcats, once scarce in the state, are making a comeback thanks to protected corridors and healthy prey populations.

Every acre restored is a step toward resilience. This is why we do what we do 💚

 

The Restoration of the Bobcat in New Jersey

The state’s restoration efforts began in the late 1970s when wildlife officials trapped bobcats in Maine and brought them back to New Jersey to augment the small remaining population.

New Jersey’s bobcat population has since been estimated to have grown to nearly 500 and the bobcat has recently moved from being classified as endangered to threatened.

Bobcats are expert hunters. They rely on stealth and speed to catch rabbits, rodents, and even small deer.

Unlike house cats, they can leap up to 10 feet in a single bound and thrive in forests, swamps, and mountainous regions.

Despite their growing population, they remain challenging to spot due to their secretive nature and nocturnal habits.