COARSEGOLD — One of the Sierra foothills’ most beloved wildlife residents is about to celebrate a major milestone. Bobby the Bobcat, a longtime animal ambassador at Nature of Wildworks, will turn 20 years old on April 19, and the nonprofit is inviting the community to help celebrate with a special birthday event.
The “Bobby the Bobcat Birthday Bash” will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19, offering visitors a chance to meet the center’s animals, enjoy treats, and take part in a memorable birthday celebration for one of Wildworks’ most recognizable residents. Tickets are $25 per person, and members of the organization’s “Friends for Life” program can receive $10 off with the code F4L.
Guests attending the celebration can expect a lively morning featuring snacks, a guided tour of some of the facility’s “big critters,” and the event’s grand finale—Bobby’s Gift-Unwrapping Extravaganza, where the bobcat will pounce, sniff and explore the presents brought for him by visitors.
Organizers encourage attendees to bring a special gift for Bobby to open during the celebration, a moment that has become a crowd favorite at Wildworks events.
Bobby’s life story has made him an especially meaningful animal ambassador for the organization. The bobcat was originally bred at a fur farm and destined to become part of the fur trade before being rescued and later kept as a pet. Authorities eventually confiscated him after his ownership was reported, and he was brought to Wildworks in 2008.
Today, Bobby lives comfortably at the wildlife care center and helps educate visitors about the importance of wildlife conservation and why wild animals do not make suitable pets. His story also highlights the harmful effects of declawing, as the procedure left him with lifelong paw pain that requires ongoing care.
The birthday celebration will take place at the Coarsegold home of Nature of Wildworks, a nonprofit wildlife care
and education center dedicated to the lifetime care of animals that cannot be returned to the wild. The facility houses a variety of species—including mountain lions, foxes, birds of prey, and other mammals—many of which are native to California.
Through guided tours, educational programs, and community outreach, Wildworks aims to teach people how to
safely and humanely coexist with wildlife. The organization also offers off-site animal presentations for schools, parks, and community events throughout the region.
For longtime supporters and first-time visitors alike, Bobby’s birthday bash offers a unique opportunity to celebrate a remarkable animal while supporting the nonprofit’s mission of wildlife education and care.
Organizers say whether visitors have known Bobby for years or are meeting him for the first time, the event promises to be a memorable way to celebrate two decades of the charismatic bobcat’s life.
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