KPCC News In Brief

Pack of bobcats take over foreclosed home in Lake Elsinore

Neglected foreclosed properties can create all kinds of problems: dying lawns, peeling paint, dirty swimming pools. Add another nuisance to the list: squatters. KPCC’s Steven Cuevas isn’t talking about the two-legged kind.

Steven Cuevas: A foreclosure in the Riverside County town of Lake Elsinore has apparently become a den for wild bobcats. Neighbors spotted the felines lounging in a backyard and slinking across a wide fence. People occasionally spot bobcats wandering through the neighborhood.

But animal control officials say the critters usually move on. It’s unusual, but not surprising, for them to settle in a populated area. Backyards offer easy access, shelter, and ample water from a timed sprinkler system.

Animal control officers have posted warnings in the neighborhood cautioning homeowners to keep a close watch on their children and pets. The pointy-eared, stubby-tailed nocturnal creatures usually feed on small prey like birds and squirrels. But they can go after larger animals like small dogs and housecats.

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• September 3, 2008 3:21 PM
• Categories: Business/Economy, Environment