Coram man seeks permit to raise bobcats as pets

A Coram man is seeking a permit to raise a pair of breeding bobcats on his property so he can sell the kittens as pets. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on Wade Tellesch’s application to raise and sell the cats.

Tellesch, according to the application, would keep the bobcats at his Caribou Street property.

The bobcats will be housed in a large outdoor enclosure equipped with a fish pond, individual sleeping hutches, climbing structures, perches, heated waterer, and enrichment equipment. The enclosure is large, about 16 feet wide, 50 feet long and 24 feet high with one exterior gate.

The enclosure is fully fenced, and the fence is buried and secured to the ground. The fencing is 3-inch-by-5-inch sheep wire. The entire enclosure is covered with a metal pitched roof and is in a shaded area surrounded by trees, protecting the bobcats from inclement weather and direct sun. Within the enclosure, there are individual breeding cages for each of the cats. The cages are constructed of 1-inch-by-1-inch wire, are elevated approximately 30 inches off the ground and are 4-feet-by-4-feet-by-10-feet, according to the application. Each breeding pen possesses a sleeping igloo, perches, food, and water. The bobcats will be vaccinated against diseases, such as distemper annually and protected against parasites.

Tellesch has had individual bobcats as pets for 20 years, he said. This is the first time he’ll try to raise a breeding pair, however.

He enjoys them and said they’re a gentle, loving animal.

“I don’t know how they survive in the wild,” he said.

He said the kittens are usually sold in the first 16 weeks.

Tellesch’s full application is available at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website at http://fwp.mt.gov, then search for “Tellesch”

People can comment on the application at by contacting biologist Jessy Coltrane at jcoltrane@mt.gov or by mail at: Jessy Coltrane, Area Biologist Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 490 N Meridian Road Kalispell, MT 59901. Comments are due by Oct. 13.