Monty, Maymont bobcat and wildlife, ambassador dies

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Monty, the beloved bobcat who called Maymont home for 18 years has died.

Monty was humanely euthanized at age 18 after age-related health concerns began affecting his quality of life.

“Monty received exceptional care throughout his life at Maymont, including ongoing veterinary treatment for age-related health concerns in recent years,” said Maymont’s veterinarian. “Our team worked closely together to support his mobility, comfort and overall well-being as he aged. Ultimately, his quality of life guided every decision we made, including the difficult decision to say goodbye. He was deeply loved, and we did everything we could to give him the best life possible.”

Monty came to Maymont in 2008 after he was found as a kitten in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, he was initially mistaken for a domestic cat and taken home by the people who found him.

A visit to a veterinarian revealed that the curious kitten was actually a bobcat.

Monty was taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for rehabilitation, but because he had become accustomed to people at such a young age, he could not safely be released into the wild and made Maymont his permanent home.

Generations of guests got to see a native Virginia species up close and learn more about bobcats.

Over the years, Monty became known to his animal keepers for his curious personality, vocal greetings and enthusiastic response to food and enrichment activities.

Like many small cats, Monty could purr, and was especially talkative when his keepers arrived with food or enrichment.

Monty also kept his care team on their toes. He had a habit of trying to eat things he shouldn’t, so his habitat and enrichment required special attention.

Monty lived a remarkably long life for a bobcat. Bobcats typically live 10 to 14 years in the wild and can live 18 to 20 years in human care.