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| Bobcat dying of notoedric mange near Elena Lane and Deerhorn Valley Rd. |
Last year DeerhornValley.net published some photos of what we could only identify as a "mystery cat." It now appears that a deadly outbreak of a lethal mange has made its way to our area, and research is pointing to the use of anti-coagulant (blood thinning) rodent poisons as the cause. These poisons (D-Con, Tomcat) require multiple feedings to take effect, but as the squirrel, rat or gopher becomes sicker and slower, they also become easier prey for their main predators: hawks, owls, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, domestic dogs and cats.
Our hawks and owls are returning in larger numbers this year and feed on our rodent population. If the anticoagulant rodent poisons continue to be used, we may lose many natural predators and any hope of re-reducing the population of squirrels and rats to a "normal" level.
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| Anticoagulant poisons |
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