Bobcat Sighting Confirmed at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Reflects Growing Ohio Population
Columbus, OH – December 5, 2025 – A bobcat was recently spotted at Prairie Oaks metro Park on November 21, according to Columbus Metro Parks.The sighting highlights the increasing presence of these wildcats across Ohio,a population that has rebounded significantly in recent decades.
Bobcats are native to ohio,but were largely absent from the state by 1850,according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). the animals began to make a comeback in the mid-1900s,and their numbers have steadily grown.Currently, the largest bobcat populations are found in eastern and southern Ohio, but are expanding into other areas.
ODNR data shows a dramatic increase in confirmed sightings. in 2001, there were only six confirmed bobcat sightings statewide. By 2021, that number had jumped to 561. Sightings are most frequently confirmed through trail camera images and reports of road-killed animals.
While bobcats are considered “ambush predators” – typically lying in wait for prey and pouncing from short distances (rarely exceeding 60 feet) – they generally avoid humans. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife notes they pose little threat to people or public health. However, they do present a risk to small pets and unattended livestock.
Their diet consists of a variety of animals, including insects, reptiles, frogs, fish, and birds. In Ohio, rabbits, white-tailed deer, and small mammals make up the bulk of their meals.Bobcats are typically solitary animals, only interacting with others for breeding purposes.
The first modern sighting in Franklin County, where prairie Oaks Metro Park is located, occurred in 2012. While sightings remain less common in southwest Ohio (Butler and Hamilton counties), recent observations of females with kittens suggest a small, resident population is establishing itself there. Sightings in northern Ohio are still rare, though ODNR research indicates that some areas could potentially support a future bobcat population.
Anyone interested in reporting a bobcat sighting can contact the ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
(This story was updated to add a video.)
