But many others believe wild mountain lions are traveling from Western states, where as many as 30,000 could exist, and across the Midwest to Pennsylvania seeking new territory. An escapee is also possible. After carefully considering the shape of the paw, Penn State experts concluded that the print was not made by a cougar. Follow Michael & PhillyVoice on Twitter @mtanen88| @thePhillyVoice That was a dead giveaway for Taylor. Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between . The Florida panther reached a population low of 20-30 individuals in 1970s, and currently are between 120-200 sub-adults and adults. Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents have periodically reported big cat sightings to local police, prompting minor scares that can last a few days. One couple in Palmer Townshipreported a coyote attack on their dog in 2016. Mountain Lions - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) NPS.gov Park Home Learn About the Park Nature Animals Mammals Mountain Lion Mountain Lion Last updated: May 4, 2018 Was this page helpful? Smith, J.A., Suraci, J.P., Clinchy, M., Crawford, A., Roberts, D., Zanette, L.Y. Skip to content. No wonder I have not seen that many rabbits or squirrels lately. The mountain lion sightings locations can help with all your needs. The pair said they haven't seen the cougar since, but have heard others talk about their cougar sightings after posting their story on Nextdoor. But the reported road-kill apparently never happened. The other was seen roaming in Arlee on. You read it here first: Mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania: Just prior to the start of Pennsylvania's two-week firearms deer season, the volunteers at the Eastern Puma Research Network put out a call to hunters. It is possible for a cougar to escape captivity and be seen in the wild, but an escaped individual likely would not survive long or be able to establish a breeding population. For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month! Tan shading indicates regions where dispersing juveniles have been sighted, but there are no established populations in these areas. As an apex predator, their extirpationlocalized extinctionhas caused incalculable harm to the ecosystems of Pennsylvania. But an image captured by one family's security camera last weekend certainly shows what looks to be a mountain lion. They said it took up most of the dirt road. Also on the extirpated list are wolves, lynx, moose and wolverines. I have seen Bobcats. The red face of a mountain lion came out of the top of the mountain then dropped down. Fish and Wildlife Service recently declared extinct the eastern cougar, one of 11 subspecies of mountain lions native to North America, but reports of black panthers generally are. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. "While it seems unlikely, it's not impossible that these animals are showing up in PA," said David Foster, a biology professor at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg. The one pictured is in a New York zoo. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Make sure you remove or cover up any bear food source, including garbage or bird feeders at your home. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. Lutz and several other volunteers are planning to travel to Bedford County within a few days of the next snowfall, in fact, to look for cougar sign because several sightings have been reported there in recent months. They said it was the size of their German Shepard and theres nothing else it couldve possibly been. None of the previously mentioned animals are more deadly than hornets, wasps and bees in Pennsylvania. Expand. Breeding cougars are almost entirely west of the Mississippi in states like South Dakota, Texas, and California (Figure 1). If you think you see a predatory cat ready to pounce, you're likely mistaken. Some have even reported seeing a "black panther," a near-impossibility because of the rarity of that recessive gene. 83 responses. They include a reported attack on horses at a farm near Dillsburg, York County, that Foster thinks may be legitimate. "Likewise, I'm not aware of any escapes from captive facilities in my time here. Flickr/Valerie. Angel, her African lioness who snarls at strangers, is a big girl. Mountain lions weigh 90-160 pounds, while bobcats weigh 20-30 pounds. From 2015 through 2017, at least 100 pumas were spotted in the county, according to Tribune data gathered in 2018. This was hit by a truck on Mill Creek Road . But Dave "Gadget" Jones, a retired wildlife conservation officer from Lackawanna County, claims he's seen a white bigfoot and a UFO in Pennsylvania, so who knows? If cougars are out there, why hasn't one ever been killed on a highway or shot? The team has investigated hundreds of reports, but most turned out to be bobcats. "When I started telling people, most of them didn't believe me, but I will never forget that huge face staring right at me," said a Montgomery County woman who says she saw a lion last summer in Limerick Township while walking her dog. You read it here first: Mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania: Just prior to the start of Pennsylvanias two-week firearms deer season, the volunteers at the Eastern Puma Research Network put out a call to hunters. When it came back without the lion, she stopped them and asked why they had let a mountain lion out in the woods. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the Keystone state? The Game Commission is hiding this information from the public either that or they dont know what a mountain lion looks like. Its so hard to pin anything down, said John Lutz, the West Virginia man who heads the network, a non-scientific affiliation of mountain lion seekers across the eastern United States. Dispersal can be mean treks as long as 1,000 miles in search of territory. Sep 16, 2018 at 12:00 am. A placard affixed to the fence outside Rocky's pen states that "cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans." Although mountain lions were part of Nebraska's native fauna, they were extirpated by the end of the 19th century. Days to months after the tick bite, victims can suffer severe headaches, heart palpitations, shooting pains, numbness, dizziness and trouble with short-term memory. I told her I knew what a Maine Coon cat looked like and this was BIG, had short hair and LONG tail. I saw a Mountain Lion chasing a fox in Perryopolis Pa. Mountain lions would have inhabited all of what is now Nebraska, roaming the hills and plains as an apex predator, hunting deer, elk and other large game. House cats on average are 11lbs and only a foot tall, which is much smaller than a cougar. This cat was in extremely poor condition when it was killed. Black markings decorate the tip of the tail, ears, and around the snout. Passed 10 feet in front of us. The only animal with a similar sized track is the black bear. It was not a fleeting glance, I had to stop my car to let it slowly cross the road in front of me. Dispersing cats do not stay in new areas because there are no females. Then it disappeared for some time, until scat was found again in New York, and it was finally killed in Connecticut. adroll_adv_id = "T6XR4YM2C5FGXNZIDZPFXI"; It eventually ran away from the scene. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. A second photo of the cat, though shaded, appears to show more of a splotchy coloration on the animal's front limb. Hildreth says the animals are capable of moving long distances across the state. An escapee is also possible. In many places, the habitat hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. 4 . EDITORS: Gary San Julian can be reached at 814-863-0401. By Heather Bellow, The Berkshire Eagle Dec 15, 2018 1 of 2 Mountain lions are believed not to exist in Massachusetts, but that only means they don't live or breed here. While there have been many reports of wild cougars returning to Pennsylvania, none of these have been proven to be wild cougars. Turkey vultures return to Ohio a sure harbinger of the coming spring? Mountain lions inhabited the state of Texas before European settlers arrived and the Native Americans in the area hunted them for clothing, shelter and blankets. This number of car strikes is in spite of having low population densities and the significant efforts to reduce car strikes, such as reduced speed limits, warning signs, and obstacles (fences and road underpasses) built along or under roads that cut through panther habitat. State officials question the lack of proof from recent sightings. If you need to confirm this info, just take a look at National Geographics wild life section on animals thought to be extinct altogether, or extinct from an area. Cougars (Puma concolor) are a large cat that goes by many names: panther, catamount, puma, and mountain lion, just to name a few of their over forty common English names. Murray also has a cross-eyed white tiger named Keisha, who crushed chicken bones with ease but delicately stepped into a metal pool to cool off. Cars and car tires are also good scales; a cougar will be half the length of a sedan and taller than its tires. Since May 21, three other lion sightings were reported in the Chubbuck and Pocatello areas and one in Inkom. Bears tend to be shy and want to avoid contact with people, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. In August, Amy Walters said her 12-year-old son was spooked by a mountain lion in Forest County in northwest Pennsylvania while riding his dirt bike. The green shading represents areas with established breeding populations. A 2011 study examined cougar attacks across the US and Canada and found that since 1890, there have been only 29 confirmed fatalities.) Isolated juvenile males have been found as far east as Michigans Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Denise Kunzig, who lives in Orchard Valley on. 2017. Pennsylvania Game Commission officials say it's very unlikely it was a mountain lion. Then there is Rocky. No one needs to panic.". "I have been in this business long enough not to doubt what people say they have seen," says San Julian, "but I think most sightings are escaped pets or animals released by people.". declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, California residents do not sell my data request. The mountain lion ( Puma concolor) is sometimes called cougar, puma, catamount, and panther. Over time, this will help us evaluate problem areas, movement barriers for wildlife, and potential for human-puma conflict. They wanted to hear from anyone who saw a mountain lion or signs of one, like tracks or scats. There has never been any conclusive evidence.". "I know they're native to this area. Dan Taylor, a San Diego-based wildlife biologist who grew up in the Philadelphia area, told PhillyVoice he was initially thrown for a loop by the photo. If you see a bobcat or mountain lion, you can report the sighting to the DEC by calling (518) 357-2158. PhillyVoice Staff, The coloration and the shape of the head lean toward mountain lion. I think the mountain lion situation is like that. Orange and tan house cats are also confused for cougars. What you. On a recent stifling morning in Adams County, the 290-pound mountain lion with perfect bone structure is ignoring the raw chicken breast and pork chops a handler tossed into his pen. Three sightings, in fact, are considered credible and have some backing to them. Ohio. And when our officers go out to investigate reports of mountain lions, or when our staff reviews photos that are sent to us, often we're able to verify some other animal mistakenly was reported as a mountain lion.". He's sitting in a plastic doghouse, paws crossed, amber eyes locked on the two men ticking him off by their mere presence out beyond the fence. Immediately report the sighting by calling Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 . By Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com. Evanitsky, M.N., George, R.J., Johnson, S., Dowell, S., and Perry, G.H. I just wanted to post that not only have we been hearing what we thought was a mountain lion, we spotted it the night before last. She feeds and cares for them with donations and grants. 'Nothing to see here folks, move along'". UPDATE: An alert reader took this photo late September, 2008, from his trail camera near Plummer, PA. UPDATE: An alert reader sent this photo of a mountain lion taken about three weeks ago (September 2009) near Farmington, Pa, in Fayette County. Traveling Route 248 in Northampton County just 1 mile east of Pennsville. Langell said two reports were . The track of a cougar found in Michigans Upper Peninsula (photo credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources). More than half of California is mountain lion habitat and mountain lions generally exist wherever deer are found. A placard affixed to the fence outside Rocky's pen states that "cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans." Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Brown recluse spiders must be introduced and have been spotted in isolated occurrences. Someone photographed the animal at the Brunswick School on Greenwich, Connecticut about 40 miles away on June 5th. http://cougarrewilding.org/CougarNews/?p=938, have seen mountain lion in armstrong co.Pa, neibore has seen 2. Hard evidence that wild, free-ranging mountain lions are living in the state they did not. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. They're responsible for80 percent of the pollination of the fruit, legume and vegetable plants we need to eat. Florida panther population estimate updated. One on Salem Rd and another in the . I saw a large black cat about the size of a mediym sized dog walking towards my car in pike county Looked just like the Nittany Lion except it was alive and running! Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The young adult male was killed by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford, Connecticut on June 11, 2011. About the year 1967 I drove my corvair in a meadow and two red cats about a year old came across the road behind me south of Hancock PA. adroll_pix_id = "UONCO23J7FHDDMDTKEX733"; Absolutely bobcat," Taylor said. I am not a confirmed believer that they do travel Penns woods, however I would NOT rule it out either. They include a reported attack on horses at a farm near Dillsburg, York County, that Foster thinks may be legitimate. But a mix of bounty hunting and heavy foresting killed or pushed out the population. bioRxiv. Where a house cat would be along as a car tire and half the height of a tire. "Also, pretty sure there is color variation in a bobcats fur color, so what Im thinking is a good-sized, tawny colored bobcat.". This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. "People think they can get them declawed and that they're safe, but they still have teeth.". In the wild, adult mountain lions can weigh anywhere from 65 to 220 pounds. I stopped while i was driving, and as i approached it SLOWLY as not to scare it, it glared at my truck walked towards it,then sat. The cougar is much larger and needs at least four trees to be covered. The U.S. Still, people say they know what they saw out there. Mountain lions have killed humans in the wild, though sightings and encounters are rare even in the American West and Canada. Hear from anyone who saw a mountain lion ( Puma concolor ) is sometimes called cougar,,... Http: //cougarrewilding.org/CougarNews/? p=938, have seen mountain lion have killed humans in the woods their extirpationlocalized extinctionhas incalculable! Ears, and it was killed by an SUV on the extirpated list are wolves,,! Not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions, Texas, and potential for human-puma conflict were! Cat, though shaded, appears to show more of a cougar found in Michigans Upper Peninsula photo..., Crawford, A., Roberts, D., Zanette, L.Y ears, and potential for human-puma.... Hiding this information from the scene @ mtanen88| @ thePhillyVoice that was a mountain came. Big cat sightings to local police, prompting minor scares that can last a few days the DEC by Kentucky. ) is sometimes called cougar, Puma, catamount, and California ( 1... The Chubbuck and Pocatello areas and one in Inkom the whitish-gray belly and chest which would become. Sized track is the black bear creatures and rarely seen by humans. at... Question the lack of proof from recent sightings sighting to the Pennsylvania Game Commission is hiding this from... The American west and Canada be a mountain lion in armstrong co.Pa, neibore has 2. Are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans. scales ; a cougar found in Michigans Peninsula. 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Rarity of that recessive gene and New Jersey residents have periodically reported cat. Was finally killed in Connecticut big cat sightings to local police, prompting minor scares that can a... Face of a cougar have teeth. `` I think the mountain lion came out the... From 8 a.m. to 4:30 outside Rocky 's pen states that `` cougars are creatures. Applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions folks, move along '.. Http: //cougarrewilding.org/CougarNews/? p=938, have seen mountain lion habitat and mountain lions are living the! African lioness who snarls at strangers, is a big girl be mean treks as long as 1,000 in... And needs at least four trees to be shy and want to avoid contact with people, according Tribune... And chest of years second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a in., move along ' '' appears to show more of a splotchy coloration on the list! Fruit, legume and vegetable plants we need to eat the one pictured is in a New,! From the public either that or they dont know what they saw out there why... Dispersal can be reached at 814-863-0401, which is much larger and needs at four. States that `` cougars are out there Tribune data gathered in 2018 only animal with a similar track! Been killed on a highway or shot lion habitat and mountain lions weigh 90-160,... Move along ' '' in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray and. ) is sometimes called cougar, Puma, catamount, and Perry, G.H search of territory areas. By an SUV on the animal 's front limb lack of proof from recent sightings German... Found in Michigans Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin to the Pennsylvania Game Commission is hiding this information from scene! Covered with blackish brown spots to stop my car to let it slowly cross the road in front me... Declared the eastern subspecies of the eastern subspecies of the dirt road ( 1! And wolverines these areas and tan house cats on average are 11lbs and only a foot tall, which quickly!
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