Rescued Bobcat Kitten Released Back Into Wild

The female bobcat kitten was found emaciated and suffering from anemia and mange last year before undergoing months of intensive treatment.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:08am

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A bobcat kitten rescued in San Clemente last year while emaciated and suffering from anemia and mange has been released back into its native habitat after months of intensive treatment at the Ramona Wildlife Center, the San Diego Humane Society announced. The 10-month-old female kitten underwent a blood transfusion and various medical treatments before being released on Sunday.

Why it matters

The successful rehabilitation and release of the bobcat kitten highlights the important work done by wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers like the Ramona Wildlife Center in caring for injured and sick wild animals and returning them to their natural habitats.

The details

The gardener found the kitten in bushes in San Clemente in October. She was initially treated at the Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital in Orange County, where she arrived unresponsive and required CPR. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife then transported her to the Ramona facility on October 18. At the Ramona facility, the kitten stayed in an outdoor enclosure designed to mimic its natural environment to help it build strength and hunting skills while recovering its full coat of fur. The veterinary team provided a rigorous course of treatments, including antiparasitic medicine, fluids, and iron supplements.

  • The kitten was found by a gardener on October 14, 2025.
  • The kitten was initially treated at the Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital on October 14, 2025.
  • The kitten was transported to the Ramona Wildlife Center on October 18, 2025.
  • The kitten was released back into the wild on February 23, 2026.

The players

Ramona Wildlife Center

A wildlife rehabilitation facility operated by the San Diego Humane Society that specializes in caring for apex predators and large mammals.

San Diego Humane Society

A nonprofit organization that receives funding through donations and rehabilitates over 13,000 wild animals every year in the San Diego region.

Alexis Wohl

The wildlife veterinary manager at the San Diego Humane Society.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing this patient transform from an emaciated kitten with little fur, into a healthy, powerful bobcat ready for the wild is the ultimate reward for our team.”

— Alexis Wohl, Wildlife Veterinary Manager, San Diego Humane Society (nbclosangeles.com)

The takeaway

This successful rehabilitation and release of the bobcat kitten demonstrates the vital role that wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers play in caring for injured and sick wild animals and returning them to their natural habitats, helping to maintain healthy ecosystems.