Longtime Bays Mountain resident Kirby the bobcat dies at age 18

He outlived the average lifespan of other bobcats but the staff at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport have given their final goodbyes to Kirby.

The attraction announced the cat’s passing at the age of 18. The report said that Kirby, brought to Tennessee from a ranch in Texas in 2010, died peacefully in his sleep under the care of the naturalist staff.

It’s likely that thousands of school children and guests caught a glimpse of Kirby who was more content shying away from the crowds according to park staff but he did have very vocal attitude and was playful at times. Bays Mountain announced they plan to find a new bobcat to fill Kirby’s enclosure.

(IMAGE: Courtesy of Bays Mountain Park / City of Kingsport, TN)