Injured bobcat rescued in Martin County

A young bobcat is being cared for at an Okeechobee County animal facility after it was found injured Wednesday in Martin County.

Officials said the cat was found near Matheson Avenue in Palm City.

"I don't know if he was hit by a car or has some neurological disorder like distemper.  He's falling over.  He's not able to walk,” said Kimberly Guile of Martin County Animal Control.  

Officers first took the bobcat to the Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital.

However, the animal doesn't know how to hunt, eat, or care for herself and was later moved to a facility in Okeechobee County where crews are more equipped to care for it.

Following an examination it looks as if the bobcat may have been held in captivity but  was later dumped, or released, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Wildlife experts believe the cat may have been held in captivity because she can be handled by humans, she used a litter box yesterday, and has an area around her neck that looks like she might have worn a collar.

"You need the proper training," said Sue Arnold who is rehabilitating the cat the Arnold Rehabilitation Center in Okeechobee.

Arnold says it's possible someone found the bobcat thinking they were helping."They wanted to save a life, but unfortunately it doesn't work out that way."

Examiners also determined that the animal did not receive the proper nourishment, may suffer from blindness, has no survival skills and a possible severe head injury.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Martin County Sheriff's Office.