Bobcat breach: Feline scales fence, invades Mich. prison grounds

By Lindsay Moore
mlive.com

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Prisons rarely have guests barging through the wire to get in, but one fast, furry Michigander snuck onto the grounds of the Chippewa Correctional Facility.

A bobcat jumped out of the wire, ran around the perimeter and up a maple tree, according to a Dec. 16 Facebook post from the Upper Peninsula prison.

The unexpected guest hung out for an hour.

Once the bobcat jumped down it ran around the parking as staff tried to chase it off the premise.

Correctional and Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff were finally able to corral the bobcat into the forest.

Bobcats thrive in dense forests and brushy habitats, of which Chippewa County is plentiful - including significant portions of the Hiawatha National Forest.

Bobcats are elusive due to their small size, quick agility and spotted fur that makes a natural camouflage.

Due to their evasive nature, there is no population count for bobcats in Michigan. However, the DNR has classified the bobcat population as stable.

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