Bobcat Stories

 

In January, Bosque School senior Isabel R., along with several other Bosque School students and teachers, went on an exciting porcupine adventure near the bosque. Isabel is working on her senior capstone project, and this hands-on field experience allowed her to collect valuable data on a porcupine—which is the largest female captured to date.

 

This particular porcupine has been frequently spotted visiting the nearby La Luz community, making this research all the more relevant to the local area. Under the guidance of Bosque School’s field science coordinator, Dan Shaw, and a practicing veterinarian, the team was able to safely examine, treat, and collar the porcupine to monitor its movements.

 

"Safety was our top priority throughout the process," explained Mr. Shaw. "We followed strict protocols to ensure the well-being of both the students and the porcupine. Even when the animal was sedated, we knew we had to be extremely cautious due to its powerful defense mechanisms."

 

The data collected from the porcupine's collar will be shared with the broader field and community science community, contributing to a greater understanding of porcupine behavior and ecology. Isabel is excited to incorporate these findings into her capstone project, which she will present at Bosque School’s Colloquium in the spring.

 

"This was such a valuable learning experience for our students," said Dr. Jessie Barrie, Bosque's head of school. "Not only did they get to participate in important wildlife research, but they also developed critical skills in teamwork, communication, and safety. We're incredibly proud of Isabella and the entire team for their dedication and commitment to this project."