Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center workers are searching for two missing and badly burned bobcats spotted on the side of Crocker Road in Kings Mountain after a major wildfire at Crowders Mountain State Park.
The staff spent two hours searching for them with headlamps later in the evening, but they were unable to be located, the conservation center said.
The crew is asking the public to be aware of the bobcats and continue looking for them, but warns against approaching the injured animals.
To conservation posted a statement saying, “If they are seen, remain at a safe distance but try to keep them in eyesight so we can come out and capture them.”
The 730-acre wildfire, which has been burning since Sunday, spread through Crowders Mountain State Park early Monday morning and has been called the “Coyote Fire,” according to the North Carolina Forest Service’s website.
As of Monday afternoon, Gaston County officials say the fire is 95% contained. The forest service said they used a ‘burnout operation’ to burn fuel in the forest and help contain the fire.
Officials from Gaston County said Crowders Mountain State Park workers discovered the fire around 7 a.m., but by then, 70 acres were gone.
The N.C. Forest Service said no homes or structures are threatened at this time. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under is under investigation.
“Fire activity is picking up. In NC, there were 236 wildfires during October, 282 wildfires during November and so far in December, we’ve had about 194 wildfires already,” the North Carolina Forest Service said Monday.
The Conservation Center says anyone who spots the bobcats should contact 980-389-1133 by text or leave a voicemail with the location.