Tulsa Apartment Residents Capture Bobcat On Camera

Richard Clark, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Residents of a south Tulsa apartment complex say they can prove a big cat is living in the city limits.

They've taken photos of the cat walking along the fence line at the Sonoma Grande Apartments at 81st and Mingo this week.

Jonathan Bradshaw says he and his stepdad saw it on Sunday evening, July 24, 2011.  Bradshaw says they had just pulled into a parking space when they saw the cat on the other side of the fence that separates the complex from a small field.

"We were shocked to see him right there near our apartment," Bradshaw said.  "We have lived in Nevada and Colorado, so we saw a lot of wildlife there but never expected a bobcat here in Tulsa! Right in the middle of the city, too."

Bradshaw says he put his smart phone to good use.

"We just hurried and took a couple pictures. He was walking at a quick pace. He appeared to be panting and his tongue was out, the poor little guy must have been burning up."

Another tenant photographed what may be the same cat Wednesday afternoon.

"My son and I were leaving the complex with a couple friends to do a few things.  When we turned a corner to get out of the gate one of the people in the car said 'there is a bobcat.'" I thought she was kidding until I turned and saw it," said Mary Saddoris.

Saddoris says everyone in the car was excited to see a bobcat up close, so she stopped the car to get a good look.

She says she stopped by the office to tell the manager what she'd seen, and says that at first he looked at her like she was crazy. 

She thinks the cat may have been looking for food in the dumpster near the gate.