Which item should not be used to catch an injured adult bobcat?

• A. Chemical immobilization
• B. A catch pole
• C. Gardening gloves
• D. A capture net

Answer: (C)

Handling a wild, potentially dangerous animal requires distance and tools designed for safe capture and restraint. An injured adult bobcat can quickly injure a handler with teeth and claws, and trying to grab it with bare hands or with only protective gloves does not provide reliable protection or control. Gardening gloves offer minimal protection and do not help you restrain or sedate the animal, which is why they’re not appropriate for catching a bobcat.

Safer options include devices and methods that keep you at a safer distance or that provide controlled restraint. A catch pole helps you steer and control the animal’s head, reducing the chance of a bite or scratch. A capture net can entangle and immobilize the bobcat from a distance, lowering risk to both animal and handler. Chemical immobilization, when performed by a trained veterinarian or licensed wildlife professional, minimizes stress and injury and allows safe handling during transport and treatment.

So, the item that should not be used to catch an injured adult bobcat is gardening gloves, because they do not provide the necessary control or protection for a large wild predator.