Bobcat found dead on side of road

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) - A bobcat was hit and killed by a car in western Columbus over the weekend.

While experts said they're not a threat to people or their pets, there have been more sightings in recent years.

A Department of Natural Resources officer said the crash happened near Goeller Road and Westcreek Drive.

“We do know they're here. You just don’t see them very often, because of their reclusive nature, and the fact they do their hunting at night,” Lt. Tim Beaver, Indiana Conservation officer, said.

In recent years, there have been at least three bobcats found in central Indiana, and experts have said they’re moving north.

Because sightings are so rare, there's no way to know how many are in Indiana.

So the DNR goes by how many they find dead, and that number has skyrocketed, from one in 1990 to nearly 45 in 2008.

But experts said people don’t need to worry.

“I’m not aware of any reports of bobcats causing any problems with humans," Lt. Beaver said. "They have a pretty selective diet of rabbits and squirrels, and they stick to those.”

In fact, he added, “It should be kind of a treat actually if somebody actually sees one in nature.”

Bobcats are a protected species in Indiana. So if you do see one, it's illegal to hunt them or to have them as pets. If you hit one with a car, it's actually a crime to take the carcass with you, because they're protected here. You’ll need to report it to authorities.