CLEVELAND—May 9, 2023—This spring, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History welcomed a new male northern bobcat to the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank. One-year-old Diego arrived in March from a private donor and is adapting well to his new home.
Diego was born on March 15, 2022. He currently weighs 11 pounds but will eventually reach the average weight of an adult male bobcat, which is 15–30 pounds. Diego displays many of the typical qualities of a young feline. He is inquisitive, active, and very focused on the Wildlife Specialists who provide his daily care—particularly his meals, which consist of specially formulated feline chow and occasional treats.
Diego spent his first 30 days in a routine quarantine, becoming accustomed to his new caregivers, diet and surroundings, and new training practices, such as shifting between different enclosures on cue. The Museum’s team of Wildlife Specialists continues to manage this carefully planned acclimation process, ensuring that Diego’s transition is smooth and successful.
“We are taking the process slowly and steadily and following Diego’s cues,” says Director of Wildlife Jim Nemet. “Diego is a smart and adaptable youngster with a keen curiosity. Our guests will surely enjoy watching his playfulness as he continues to develop and learn in his new surroundings.”
Diego’s acclimation will include future introductions to the Museum’s senior pair of bobcats, Bob and Bitty, who have resided in the Perkins Wildlife Center since they arrived as babies in 2002. During visual introductions from separate habitats, Wildlife Specialists have noted positive interactions and interest in one another. The bobcats’ comfort levels and behaviors will dictate how quickly or slowly they progress to physical introductions. Ultimately, the goal is for all three bobcats to share outdoor exhibit space in Perkins, where Museum guests will have the opportunity to see them together every day.
“The Perkins Wildlife Center is a place where we connect our guests to nature, share stories about the animals in our care, and build a greater appreciation for wildlife conservation in Ohio,” says Nemet. “As invaluable ambassadors for their wild counterparts, Diego, Bitty, and Bob help us inspire a passion for the natural world.”
Bobcats are native to Ohio and one of seven wild cat species found in North America. Bobcat sightings in Ohio increased dramatically beginning in the 2000s, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources/Division of Wildlife. While bobcats are rebounding in Ohio, it is very unlikely to see one in the wild. They are elusive and crepuscular animals, meaning they prefer to be active at dusk and dawn.
The Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank is an outdoor area located on the Museum’s University Circle campus. The center features plants and wildlife that are native to Ohio and is home to rescued animals that are unable to return to the wild. This living collection is intended to provide Museum guests with the opportunity to experience Ohio wildlife in a unique and educational setting. Access to the Perkins Wildlife Center is included in general admission.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History opened part of its transformed campus in December 2022, introducing a new Wade Oval Entrance, modernized Education Wing, and updated galleries. This opening is the latest milestone in the Museum’s $150 million transformation project, which features a LEED-certified expansion, a complete reimagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits, and the addition of new public spaces. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will place visitors at the center of the Museum experience—allowing them to better understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. Slated for completion in late 2024, the transformation will showcase the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted resource that prioritizes engagement and responsiveness to its community. The
Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $123 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building and outdoor visitor areas to more than 375,000 square feet. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit
CMNH.org.
Media Contact:
Samantha Guenther, External Communications Manager
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
216.403.4557
[email protected]