Cosley Zoo visitors will get to meet bobcats this fall, but zoo officials are hoping some enthusiastic locals will help them market the new exhibit before then.

The zoo is holding tryouts for volunteers to dress up in a full-body bobcat suit and act as the zoo’s mascot at community events like Taste of Wheaton and the city’s Fourth of July parade and fireworks.

The volunteers must be 16 years old and will represent the zoo in costume at events between March and October.

“You can have a lot of fun with it,” said Zoo Director Susan Wahlgren. “Kind of show your inner self.”

The mascot will help announce the arrival of two bobcats expected sometime this fall at the zoo.  Wahlgren said getting the wildcats on display at the zoo is “something on our docket for a long time” because the cats are native to Illinois. The cats, which are about twice the size of a common house cat and feed on rabbits, squirrels and rodents, were common in the state when European settlers arrived, and can still be found in the state, especially in southern Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Wahlgren said having the cats at Cosley Zoo will offer some unique educational opportunities and be a nice addition to more commonly seen animals, like rabbits and goats, that are at the zoo now.

Those interested in trying out to be the mascot should attend an information meeting Feb. 23 in the Arrowhead Room at the Wheaton Park District Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard Road. Tryouts will be at 7:30 p.m. March 1 in the Memorial Room at the community center. Those chosen from the tryouts will attend a training clinic.

The zoo is also inviting locals to help think of a name for the mascot. The winning name will be chosen March 6, and the winner will receive a gift basket from the zoo.

For more information on the contest or mascot tryouts, visit http://www.cosleyzoo.org/Pages/Our_Zoo/bobcat.html.