Bobcats spotted at Shawnee Mission Park. What you need to know about these elusive animals

Johnson County Park Staff Spotted two bobcats last week on the south side of Shawnee Mission Park.

The mysterious animals were spotted on a trail camera as staff from the department’s natural resources division conducted a deer density survey.

Parks department spokesperson Kellen Jenkins said officials do not plan to adjust park hours, trail access or other guidelines in light of the sighting.

This isn’t the first time a bobcat has been spotted in the Kansas City area: In 2018, a photo on neighborhood reporting site Nextdoor showed one walking through the residential neighborhood of Leawood.

Although bobcats are not uncommon in Kansas, seeing a bobcat is very rare due to the elusive nature of the animals. Bobcats pose no threat to humans, although they have been known to attack domestic cats and small dogs on some rare occasions.

Here’s what you need to know about the recent sighting and how Johnson County officials are responding.

Should I be concerned about the bobcats at Shawnee Mission Park?

Bobcat sightings may be rare, but the one on Jan. 10 is nothing to worry about, said Matt Garrett, natural resources manager for the county parks department.

“Bobcats are quite small and secretive. They generally do not pose a threat to children or pets,” Garrett said.

Bobcats are much more afraid of humans than humans should be of them, writes Texas-based wildlife expert Kathy Milacek. Bobcat attacks on humans are virtually unheard of; in fact, a child is almost 100 times more likely to be harmed by a domestic dog than by a bobcat.

Still, there are steps you can take to keep bobcats out of your home, such as keeping your cats indoors at all times and removing food sources outside the home, such as pet food or brush piles where rodents can nest.

“It is always important not to feed wildlife, keep your pets indoors and remember to keep (the) area around (your) bird feeder clean,” Garrett said.

What should I do if I see a bobcat?

Garrett has some unique advice on what to do if you see a bobcat: “Enjoy the experience!”

“They are secretive animals, and encountering one while using JCPRD regional parks is always an experience,” he said. “Occasionally we receive images from neighborhoods near Shawnee Mission Park of bobcat kittens playing in wooded yards.”

Milacek adds that it’s important to reinforce bobcats’ fear of humans if you ever encounter one. You can do this by shouting, throwing objects or making other loud noises. Ultimately, she writes, discouraging bobcats from coming into contact with humans will be safer for them, people and pets.

Have more questions about wildlife or the environment in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team [email protected].