The bobcat (Lynx rufus) belongs to the Felidae family, a group of carnivorous mammals often referred to as felids. The bobcat is the most widely distributed native felid in North America, ranging from as far north as central British Columbia (Canada) and south to Oaxaca (Mexico). Bobcats occur throughout the contiguous United States – with the exception of Delaware – and in a variety of habitats – from bottomland forests in Alabama to arid deserts in Mexico, and from northern boreal forests in Canada to the humid tropical regions of Florida. Though wide-ranging, its distribution is restricted in some locations, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.
Most causes of bobcat mortality are human-related; legal harvest and vehicle-caused mortalities are most common. Bobcats skins (also known as pelts) are the most common bobcat item in trade, accounting for 92% of CITES-recorded bobcat trade from 2002 through 2006. Other parts and products that are traded include whole bodies, carvings, claws, feet, garments, leather products, plates, skins, skin pieces, skulls, skeletons, specimens, tails, teeth, and trophies. The bobcat is legally harvested in 38 states of the United States. In Canada, bobcats are harvested from 7 of lower Canada, where the bobcat is traded almost exclusively for its pelt. In Mexico, bobcats are primarily game species, and exports are restricted to trophies.
Bobcat and CITES
To ensure that international trade is not detrimental to the survival of wild populations, the bobcat was listed in Appendix II of CITES in 1977, along with all species of Felidae that had not already been listed in 1975. Currently, there are also 24 species of Felidae listed in Appendix I.
At the time of the bobcat listing in 1977, the CITES Parties had not yet adopted a format for proposals, and there was no clarification of whether bobcat was listed due to pressures on the wild population from international trade, or whether it was listed for similarity of appearance with other CITES-listed species. This was clarified at CoP4 (Botswana 1983), when the Parties agreed that this species’ continued listing was solely on its similarity of appearance with other listed cats. Several species have been identified as similar in appearance to the bobcat, including the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), the Iberian lynx (L. pardinus), and the Eurasian lynx (L. lynx).
Monitoring of wild L. rufus populations since 1977 continues to demonstrate that the species is not threatened, and that harvest and trade are well regulated. Within the decade, there has been no overall decline reported by any state, except in Florida where decline is attributed to loss of habitat. U.S. and Canadian bobcat management programs, which ensure long-term sustainable use of the species and support its conservation, have been described as the most advanced management programs for commercial exploitation of feline furbearers.
Bobcat and CoP15
At the 15th Conference of the Parties (CoP15), the United States has submitted a proposal to remove bobcat from Appendix II because inclusion in Appendix II due to similarity of appearance to other felids is no longer warranted. Neither domestic nor international trade constitutes a threat to bobcat populations. North American Customs agents are trained to identify bobcat items at the borders and well-acquainted with the laws regarding the harvest, transport, and sale of the bobcat and its parts. There have been reports of trade in other felid species being illegally portrayed as bobcat.
This proposal to remove the bobcat from CITES Appendix II is at:
• Removal of Lynx rufus (bobcat) from Appendix
http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/15/prop/E-15-Prop-02.pdf
Progress on the Periodic Review of the Felidae is reported in the following document:
• Report of the Chair of the Animals Committee, Periodic review of Felidae (see page 7)
http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/15/doc/E15-07-02-01.pdf
