provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Bayshore Volunteer Firefighter Julian Roman-Kulwicki found a bobcat kitten meowing and crawling from a pile of ashes during a brush fire.
“I went over, grabbed it and wrapped it in my jacket,” says Roman-Kulwicki, who affectionately named the kitten Ash.
The May 24, 2026, fire on Orange Blossom Boulevard in Charlotte County spanned 4 acres and is believed to have been started by lightning, the Bayshore Fire Department reports.
CROW, a nonprofit that treats sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in Southwest Florida, is caring for the estimated 4-6-week-old bobcat kitten.
CROW veterinarians found no burns, injuries, or lung issues, and continue to closely monitor the kitten.
“She is stable and resting comfortably, which is encouraging,” says Dr. Jessica Comolli, CROW’s Research and Medical Director. “Smoke inhalation remains a concern, as respiratory issues can develop later, so we’re monitoring her closely. We’re grateful to Bayshore Fire for bringing the kitten to CROW.”
Roman-Kulwicki, a Bayshore Fire Department volunteer for about a month, says he is trained to protect life.
“She was cold, so I warmed her up,” he says. “I researched and learned she was a baby bobcat.”
Bayshore Fire Captain William LeMieux was at the station when the kitten arrived, wrapped in firefighting gear.
“I washed her off. She was exhausted,” he says. “I’m relieved the kitten is with CROW, where she’ll hopefully return to the wild.”
Southwest Florida residents can call CROW’s first responder team at 239-472-3644, ext. 222, for questions about orphaned or injured wildlife.
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