Camp Counselors Attack and Kill Bobcat After It Attacks Sleeping Camper
Three adult camp counselors and a group of youth campers at a state park in Connecticut faced a harrowing ordeal on Friday when they were attacked by a bobcat. Officials reported that the counselors managed to fight off the animal and kill it, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries in the process.
The incident occurred on Selden Neck Island, where one of the counselors was asleep in a hammock early in the morning when the bobcat went on the offensive. The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection stated that the man, along with two other adults, successfully fought back and killed the attacker. However, the exact details of how they managed to subdue the bobcat remain unclear.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, which is located about five miles west of Lyme, Conn. Selden Neck Island is accessible only by water. All three injured adults were taken to the hospital for treatment, although specific information regarding their injuries and conditions was not immediately available.
Upon testing the bobcat, authorities discovered that the animal was infected with rabies. Thankfully, none of the campers had come into contact with the bobcat, and they were safely transported off the island by the local fire and police departments.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has launched an investigation into the incident. The Wilderness School, a year-round program for individuals aged 13 to 21 who have experienced trauma or require extra support, was led by the courageous counselors at the time of the attack. The program offers various expeditions, including hiking, camping, and canoeing.
Michael Williams, the deputy commissioner of operations for Connecticut, praised the counselors’ bravery, stating, “Due to their courageous and outstanding efforts, the safety of the youth was maintained, and they were not harmed.”
Connecticut previously had a bounty on bobcats from 1935 to 1971, but due to habitat loss caused by deforestation, the species has been protected since 1972 with no hunting or trapping seasons. Recent data suggests that bobcat populations have been increasing across the state.
Peter Yazbak, a spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, expressed relief that the situation did not escalate further, saying, “It could’ve been worse. We’re happy that everyone’s just doing OK.”