SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. – The unusual death of a bobcat in the Timberview Drive neighborhood of Safety Harbor has raised alarms among wildlife advocates and prompted new discussions on the dangers of rodenticide, or rat poison. The animal, found hanging from a tree in the Country Villas neighborhood last week, has left the community in shock.

Named "Bobbi" by locals, the bobcat's death marked the loss of the first bobcat confidently reported in the area. Fairl Thomas, a rescuer with Birds in Helping Hands Wildlife, lamented the tragedy. "That was really depressing," Thomas said. "It's deceased, and it's a loss for the local ecosystem."

Debra Rowars, a neighbor, described the bizarre scene: "I've never seen anything like it. I mean, literally hanging like a monkey from a tree."

Rescuers took almost two hours to remove the bobcat due to the effects of rigor mortis, which made it challenging to dislodge. "It had to be pulled up because one of the arms was over the branch, which made it so hard to retrieve," Rowars explained.

An officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) collected the bobcat for a necropsy to determine the exact cause of death. "Nine times out of ten, when it's something like this, we can find that rodenticide had a role," Thomas explained. "There were no signs of impact from a vehicle or gunshot. We need to understand what happened inside."

In 2022, ten great-horned owls from Phillipe Park and Safety Harbor tested positive for rodenticide, indicating a worrying pattern of exposure. Such poisonings can be lethal to a wide range of predatory species, affecting the natural balance of local ecosystems.

Rodenticide works its way up the food chain, posing a serious threat to animals that consume contaminated prey. Birds of prey and other carnivores often fall victim to this secondary poisoning, which causes internal bleeding and organ failure.

In response to this incident, Thomas and other wildlife advocates are urging residents to reconsider their use of poisons. She encouraged the adoption of safer, non-toxic alternatives that wouldn't harm local wildlife. "It starts with contacting your pest control specialist and choosing someone who's going to use alternatives. There are non-toxic options," Thomas said.

Non-toxic pest control measures include snap traps, exclusion practices, and habitat modification. By eliminating sources of food and shelter for rodents, homeowners can effectively minimize infestations without resorting to harmful chemicals.

In addition to community education, local governments can play a significant role in reducing wildlife deaths from rodenticides. Some cities have adopted strict regulations limiting the use of certain poisons, particularly near parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Meanwhile, the FWC is expected to release its findings from Bobbi's necropsy, which will offer insight into the direct cause of death. This information will help shape future guidelines on rodenticide use across Florida. Environmentalists believe that sharing this story could lead to stricter regulations and protect the area's wildlife.

Wildlife advocates like Thomas remain hopeful that this incident will prompt meaningful changes and help safeguard local ecosystems. "Our wildlife is a precious resource," she said. "Each animal lost is a piece of the puzzle we're missing."

The community continues to mourn Bobbi's loss, but with increased awareness and better pest control practices, they hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.