General Hospital star Maura West, who plays Ava Jerome, gave fans quite the surprise this weekend. This weekend, she shared an unusual photo on social media showing a wild visitor perched on her backyard wall.
Visited By A Predator
On Instagram on Saturday, Maura shared a photo of a cat sitting on a wall. However, it wasn’t just any old cat. Then, in her caption, the GH star wrote, “This beauty is in my backyard right now… meow!”
Her post quickly drew attention from ABC fans who seemed both envious and cautious about the encounter. After all, its not every single day that non-domestic cats arrive in the backyard. In fact, her wild guest was a predator of some repute. Fortunately though, it wasn’t a mountain lion.
Fans Recognise The Species
Many of Maura West’s followers instantly recognized the animal in her photo as a Bobcat. One fan commented, “Beautiful bobcat, Maura!” Similarly, another one added, “Wow! Gorgeous bobcat!” Others chimed in with heart emojis and wide-eyed reactions, clearly stunned to see the predator so close to her home.
Some GH fans also reminded West to be careful, noting that while bobcats are generally shy, they are still wild predators that shouldn’t be approached.
Here are a few more reactions:
- Beautiful cat. Be careful in California they can do damage but have very little habitat left.
- Omg, hold on!!! Me – running to the fridge to see what meat I have.
- Beautiful!! The kitty and the background!!
Bobcats In The Backyard
Folks could identify the animal as a Bobcat because of it’s distinctive short “bobbed” tail, tufted ears, and spotted coat. Actually, according to the National Parks Service, they’re more common than many people realize, especially in areas where natural habitat meets “suburban neighborhoods.”
Typically weighing between 15 and 30 pounds, they are larger and more muscular than domestic cats, with powerful back legs. Despite their wild nature, bobcats rarely pose a direct threat to humans.
Maura’s visitor will probably hunt for rabbits, rodents, and other small animals. However, experts advise caution when one appears nearby. Notably, it’s an important warning if you keep smaller pets.
Safety First
Wildlife experts recommend securing trash, and avoiding leaving food outside to reduce the chances of attracting bobcats. If one lingers too close, making loud noises, turning on lights, or simply giving it space is often enough to encourage it to move along.
For most people, spotting a Bobcat is a rare and memorable experience. In Maura West’s comments section, fans seemed just as thrilled as she was. So, her Instagram post became a mini-nature moment.
Are you a little bit envious? Would you love to live in a place where Bobcats pop in? Let us know in the comments below, and come back here often for all your General Hospital cast news and updates.
They are beautiful but be careful and stay safe.