Harlequin Tabby Capture Attempt #1 & 2

Joseph Brian and I worked on tilting the camera to a better angle. With the snow gone, I thought it prudent. Plus, we've a cat visiting us and I wanted a better visual. It's tricky, since I need my laptop to check that it is at the right angle. 

 

camera fix from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

😼 Cat visitors over the years 

In November we had a black cat come by, later killed on the highway. Someone brought him to us thinking he was ours. We've a new frequent flyer, as I've written. We don't know the owners.  The nearest possible homes are 1 km away! This was Feb. 27th. There are barn cats nearby, but they know better!

Harlequin tabby from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

8 pm, March 1st:

strange cat from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

He visited at 8 p.m. Friday, March 1st. Also, Dec. 11, 16, 20, (Mon., Sat, Tues.), and Tues., Feb. 27. I was listening to a podcast called Uncharted, and they said data gives us clues. He skipped January, which was snowy.

I decided it was time to do something. I posted the info on our local Facebook page. Turns out he's been travelling around the south shore of the lake. People have seen him on their trailcams and security cameras, as well. That is quite a range for a cat. Especially since he is crossing the highway to get to us, and then there is our fisher, coyotes, a bobcat, and other predators out there.

 

I put out the word, and borrowed an animal trap. There is no way I want to take another dead cat for cremation. Our cats, found at the side of a road as kittens, don't venture near the highway. 

Mar. 4th, 1st attempt! I think he put his paw in and got some of the bait (cat food).

strange cat from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Attempt #2

You'll have to picture it, because I forgot to put the Wingscapes camera on the trap. The food was too near the far end and Cat reached a paw through and took the food bait. This time, I put a chunk of food on the trip plate. The trip plate was licked clean.

The camera didn't pick anything up, and the trailcam batteries died!