Full Notification

Please be advised that at approximately 6:45 p.m. Sunday, a woman was bitten by a juvenile bobcat at Jekyll Island Mini Golf. The woman suffered injuries to her leg, though not life-threatening, and chose to transport herself to seek medical treatment. The bobcat was killed nearby and will be sent for precautionary rabies testing.
 
This person did not provoke the bobcat or do anything to cause the injuries that occurred. Incidents like this are extremely rare, and there is no immediate threat to the general public.
 
The public can reduce the likelihood of encounters with wildlife by doing the following:
 
Avoid Unnecessary Interaction with any animals, wild or domestic, that you are not familiar with. Do not allow or bring any wild animals into your home or attempt to nurse them back to health if they appear sick or injured. Teach children and/or house guests to follow the same rules. Let wild animals remain wild.
 
Leash and Supervise Pets. On Jekyll Island, the Code of Ordinances (Chapter 4, Section 4.2, available at jekyllisland.com/authority) requires all pet owners to always keep their pets on a leash and under physical control when outside of their property. This includes dogs, cats, and any other animals under your care and immediate control. Even if your pet is generally well-behaved, the presence of wildlife and other animals can lead to unexpected situations.
 
No Outdoor Feeding. To reduce the likelihood of attracting wildlife and potentially rabid animals, the JIA also requires (Chapter 4, Section 4.5) that you refrain from outdoor feeding of pets, domestic or feral cats, and wild animals. Food and water bowls left outside can attract animals carrying the rabies virus, increasing the risk of exposure for both pets and humans.
 
Secure Trash and Food Waste. Properly securing trash cans and eliminating food waste outside of designated receptacles can help deter wildlife from congregating near residential and lodging areas. This is an essential step in reducing the risk of disease transmission.
 
Vaccinate Your Pets. Ensuring that your pets are up to date with their rabies and other vaccinations is crucial. Regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations can help protect your pets from the disease and provide an additional layer of safety for your household.
 
Report Unusual Animal Behavior. If you encounter a wild animal exhibiting unusual behavior, such as aggression, confusion, or impaired motor function, please refrain from approaching it and report the incident to the Jekyll Island Wildlife Incident Reporting system by texting or leaving a voicemail at 912-222-5992. Please include as much detail as possible, including the exact location and time of the incident. For life-threatening situations, please call 911.
 
All questions related to rabies testing and public awareness protocols should be directed to the Department of Public Health’s Coastal Health District, Environmental Health Office. They will complete animal testing and notify the public as necessary.
 
For general wildlife questions, please contact Yank Moore, Director of Conservation, Jekyll Island Authority: [email protected].