The coastline of South Carolina is a destination renowned for its natural beauty and diverse ecosystems, hosting a variety of barrier islands.

A barrier island is a landmass that's prone to erosion and features tidal zones, estuaries, and maritime forest, with 35 of them dotting the South Carolina coastline.

The state boasts more barrier islands than any other state except Florida.

Here, a plethora of flora and fauna adapt to this ever changing landscape.

No animal knows adaptation better than one of the most elusive creatures in the Palmetto State, the Bobcat.

Despite their remarkable adaptability, bobcats on barrier islands face numerous challenges.

However, dedicated conservationists are working tirelessly to ensure these magnificent predators continue to thrive in the wild.

Felines, known for their elusive nature and impressive hunting skills include a wide variety of species.

At a glance, bobcats look like your average house cat.

However, they can be up to 2 to 3 times larger than domesticated cats.

They're also often mistaken for their close relative, the Canada Lynx.

Bobcats can be identified by their short ear tufts, spotty coats and bobbed tails, from which they get their name.

These animals possess excellent vision and hearing which aid them in their crepuscular hunting activities.

Bobcats are versatile in their diet, feeding on deer, small mammals, birds, reptiles and even insects.

With their diverse diets and habitats, they play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

On Kiawah Island, they serve as apex predators.

By controlling these prey populations, bobcats prevent overgrazing and overpopulation of deer, which can lead to habitat degradation and a decline in plant diversity.

This, in turn, supports a healthy and balanced ecosystem, allowing other wildlife to thrive.

Bobcats on Kiawah Island face significant ecological challenges, particularly due to the use of rodenticides.

Second Generation Anti-coagulants or "SGAs" found in these pesticides have had a devastating impact on the Bobcat population.

These poisons work by hindering the body's production of vitamin K, which is essential for blood coagulation.

Without it, animals hemorrhage or bleed to death.

Bobcats being the top predator on the island are particularly vulnerable as they consume poisoned prey.

This bioaccumulation in the food chain has dire consequences and leads to secondary poisoning.

For a time, there are about 30 to 35 bobcats on Kiawah Island.

But from 2017 to 2020, their population dramatically dropped to fewer than ten.

The widespread use of SGAs not only decimates rodent populations, but also indirectly causes the deaths of these top predators.

In response to the declining bobcat populations, dedicated efforts have been made to protect these crucial predators on Kiawah Island.

The town of Kiawah Island organized an information and pledge campaign called Bobcat Guardian, educating and encouraging residents and local businesses to voluntarily stop using harmful SGAs.

This program has successfully garnered commitments from over 650 households and 31 pest control businesses to refuse the use of harmful SGA pesticides.

However, this is just one approach.

For over 20 years, the town has been conducting research on the local Bobcat population in conjunction with the Kiawah Conservancy and Clemson University.

To do this, they first have to catch the uncatchable.

Between January and April, the wildlife team begins by setting up live animal traps around the island.

These traps are baited with a rooster, a tempting snack for any bobcat.

Fortunately, the rooster is safely enclosed in an inner cage, ensuring it remains unharmed.

Once the trap is sprung, the team quickly administers an anesthetic.

After the cat is sedated, The biologists meticulously collect data such as weight, length, and check for parasites.

Blood samples are also taken to test for toxins like SGAs.

They check if the cat has been caught before by scanning for microchip implants.

If the animal is unchipped, a chip is implanted under its skin.

Lastly, a temporary GPS collar is fitted to the bobcat to gather future location data, assisting in pinpointing specific areas or habitat types on the island that are vital to the Bobcats and areas where bobcats might encounter SGAs.

Since the program's inception, over 100 bobcats have been caught and studied.

Once all the necessary data has been collected, the cat is observed until it can be safely released back into the wild.

This comprehensive research, combined with the protection of wildlife areas by the Kiawah Conservancy, is crucial for ensuring the future survival of bobcats on the island.

Through these united efforts, bobcat populations have started to increase on Kiawah, but continued work will be needed to restore this once thriving and wild area.