(Michigan City, IN) - Grace, a nine-month-old bobcat from the Washington Park Zoo, has escaped from her exhibit enclosure and the zoo proper.

 

Zoo Director Jamie Huss asks that anyone who spots Grace not attempt to capture her, instead urging people to immediately report any sightings to the Michigan City Police Department’s non-emergency phone number at (219) 874-3221.

 

Huss notes in turn that the baby bobcat poses little to no threat to humans.

 

“Grace is roughly the size of a large housecat,  Her prey would range from chipmunks to rabbits and smaller. We are concerned for her safety and have continued to set live traps and trail cameras in hopes of a sighting and recapture,” she said. 

 

Grace and her sister, Hazel, arrived at the zoo on Michigan City’s lakefront in December and have been housed in a habitat designed for their species since April. Huss said zoo staff realized in the morning that Hazel was alone in the enclosure and immediately moved her to another building for safe-holding. The location of Grace and where she escaped have not been determined.

 

“Bobcats are quiet, secretive, and active from dusk to night. As with all wildlife, the natural response of a bobcat is to move away from humans,” she said.

 

In addition to police, Michigan City Animal Control and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are aware of the situation and ready to assist. Calls are being directed through the MCPD because the phones there are monitored 24/7.