Never had to collect stolen property this way before

[Steve in PA]

Never had to collect stolen property this way before.

Yesterday I get dispatched to a residence in my town for.....a mountain lion on the person's deck!! Alrighty.....I gotta see this.

On the way there I am told the mt lion may now be a bobcat. Okay....a little more plausible. Get there and the animal is gone. Person shows me a picture she took with her digital camera and from what I can see, it looks like a bobcat.

Today, the town next to mine gets a call for a bobcat in tree. I head over to check it out. We get there and its up a tree about 30-40'. Call the Pa Game Commission and WCO Jolley comes down. He checks it out and says, thats not a bobcat....thats a lynx. He explained the difference and after looking through the binos I can see the difference.

Now, the lynx is not native to PA and the WCO explains he believes this lynx is one that has been stolen from Columbia County (about 1/2 hour south of me). Apparently a licensed breeder was assaulted after refusing to sell the animal to some people and they took the lynx valued at a few thousand dollars. I guess they released it in our area.

So, the PGC decided to dart the lynx. One of two things would happen. The animal would stay where it was, not being able to move and then they would have to go up after it. Or, she would fall from the tree. So, the WCO darts the lynx and he, another WCO, an officer from the town we were in and myself grab a blanket provided by the owner of the house and get under the tree. After a few minutes she came tumbling out and lands softly in our blanket. What an awesome sight she was.

I was able to snap some pics with my cell phone camera. They aren't the best.

Waaay, way up in the tree.



Right after she was hit with the dart. we thought she was going to run.


Right after her soft landing.


A little closer look.


Recovered stolen property!!

[Agent Ronin]

Now thats a different kind of story..

And they look so soft and cuddly too

[JayBell]

biggest clue on the lynx is the tufted ear tips.

glad you all got it back fine, they are cool cats.

[danp]

Now THAT is a story you can always tell. Beautiful animal.

[vetter3006]

Great stoy one which is unique,and to have pictures is even awsome.
Thanks for sharing with us.

[jdlv4_0]

Oh man, don't let MrsKitty see this, she'll want to bring one home...

[Emptymag]

You're MEAN!

You could have gotten a bullhorn and TALKED her down.





Glad it worked out and you didn't have to go UP after her!

[dmg1969]

That's very cool.Thanks for sharing the pics!

[SGTUSArmy]

You used a gun to subdue a wonderfully beautiful animal of nature? Why didn't you just climb the tree, and carry it down on your back? YOU SHOT A POOR DEFENSELESS ANIMAL!!!!!!!

Just kidding. Interesting story. She is purdy.

[axmdr40]

You used a gun to subdue a wonderfully beautiful animal of nature? Why didn't you just climb the tree, and carry it down on your back? YOU SHOT A POOR DEFENSELESS ANIMAL!!!!!!!

Just kidding. Interesting story. She is purdy.

I've notified PETA...your toast!