Meet T’challa, the most adorable “dumbest bobcat in the world!”
Cats by their very nature are supposed to be carnivorous critters, but T’challa the bobcat is decidedly different from the rest of his furry kind.
Instead of chasing after birds and mice, this modern renaissance kitty prefers to embrace a plant-based lifestyle!
When T’challa’s was just a kitten, he was snatched up by a hawk and unceremoniously dumped on someone’s driveway.
Even though he suffered a nasty boo-boo to the head as a result of the fall, he was lucky enough to escape with his life!
He was immediately rushed to the vet so his injuries could be treated, and soon after was transferred to For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue in Tennessee for extended care and rehabilitation.
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/photos/a.1789520658011356/2340100376286712/?type=3
Juniper Russo, executive director of For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue, told The Dodo:
“I specialize in caring for predators, so they contacted me to rehabilitate him. The goal, of course, was to release him to the wild.”
Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that T’challa wasn’t meant to live out his life as a fierce predator.
Because he suffered brain damage when he was dropped on his head as a baby, he just didn’t have the aptitude and wherewithal to survive on his own.
“Well, it’s official: T’challa has been diagnosed as a complete and total dumbass— bless his heart. As of today, his veterinarian has concluded that he won’t be releasable to the wild. “
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/photos/a.1789520658011356/2503326333297448/?type=3
That’s okay, though, because the small, home-based sanctuary gave him 24/7 access to something that no other bobcat in the world has – his very own backyard swimming pool! On the rescue’s Facebook page, Russo mentioned:
“We’ve also worked out the blueprint for his spacious new habitat, where he’ll have amenities fit for a king, including a variety of shelters and climbing surfaces and a big pond to play in. (T’challa loves playing in water!)”
Life was definitely good for T’challa.
But like all cats, he needed something “more” to make his life whole again.
One day when Russo was feeding the sanctuary’s other rescue animals, T’challa noticed the box of vegetables she was carrying.
“I handed him a fennel bulb, expecting that he would realize that he didn’t want it after all, and was surprised when he grabbed it and snuggled it and brought it to bed with him.”
The #bobkitten didn’t have a chance – it was love at first sight!
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/posts/2422936028003146
Having developmental delays doesn’t mean you can’t have a personality. As you can see, T’challa has more than enough loveable cuteness to go around.
In fact, the playfully silly bobcat has stolen everyone’s hearts after videos of him cuddling up with his favorite vegetable went viral!
While other cats play with toys, T’challa can’t live without his fennel.
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/photos/a.1789520658011356/2497101340586614/?type=3
Like all animals who love their toys to death, sometimes they get so worn out that they have to be replaced.
“T’challa loved his last fennel bulb to pieces, so we gave him a new one today and he is overjoyed. We bet you can’t think of a more romantic love story than that of T’challa and his fennel.”
Hopefully, T’challa didn’t notice the sneaky fennel wife-swap!
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/photos/a.2249977591965658/2426888147607934/?type=3
T’challa is different in other ways, in that sometimes he acts more like a housecat more than a wild predator.
“T’challa’s brain damage as a newborn apparently turned off his defensive instincts, so he is more than willing to sleep and play on his back. He really is one of a kind.”
Wild cats like T’challa rarely roll around on their backs because exposing their softest body parts puts them in a precariously vulnerable position. But, how else is he supposed to get his belly rub?
P.S. – Look at those adorable toe beans!
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/photos/a.1789520658011356/2413737625589653/?type=3
A few people have misunderstood T’challa’s love of fennel, so his owners want everyone to know that he’s not actually being fed a vegetarian diet.
“We suspect that, if he were released to the wild, he would try to snuggle with rabbits and rats instead of eating them.”
Although he’s “an utter and complete failure at being an apex predator,” he happily noshes on whole, frozen prey and high-quality canned food that’s made specifically for wild cats.
https://www.facebook.com/forfoxsakewildlife/photos/a.1792469357716486/2321453001484783/?type=3
Check out the video below to see T’challa cuddling up with his favorite fennel bulb!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2505608643069217
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
