“The fact that we now have bobcat observations means something is going well,” said Blankenship. “The mother and kittens hung out at the same site for two weeks.”
Blankenship says this is the first time bobcats have been spotted in these locations, a signal that habitat preservation and restoration is working.
In the 1990s, habitat loss and overharvesting led to dwindling numbers of the elusive cats until efforts to save the species helped reverse course.
Today, Will County officials estimate around 5,000 bobcats exist in Illinois, although sightings are incredible infrequent, especially in northeastern Illinois.
The night-vision cameras, placed on select trees in the nature preserve, are motion activated. When triggered, the cameras take a burst of three photos at a time, day and night.
UpdatedFri, Jan 22, 2021 at 12:07 pm CT
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Joliet Park District officials posted a statement on their website Thursday night confirming that financial irregularities are being investigated. (Image via Google Maps)
JOLIET, IL Police are investigating potential financial improprieties by a former Joliet Park District employee, the district confirmed in a statement Thursday night. On Friday morning, the Will County Forest Preserve District announced that Matt Pehle has now been placed on administrative leave.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Pehle was the director of finance at the Joliet Park District from April 2013 until he left in December 2019. In January 2020, Pehle became the chief financial officer for the Will County Forest Preserve District. At that time, Pehle replaced John Gerl as chief financial officer after Gerl retired from the forest preserve.