Cougars were extirpated from Pennsylvania before the 1900s and exterminated from the entire East Coast by the 1930s (aside from the Florida panther). Michael Tanenbaum Their coloration ranges from tan to black. The reports, though, continue. I was driving on a dark and stormy night about 9 years ago on Rt-515 just off of Rt-23. So glad to post. However, mountain lion sightings in Pennsylvania are still being reported. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Passed 10 feet in front of us. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. "Who knows, could be a mutant. Home Pennsylvania Opinion Search for cougarscontinues in Pennsylvania, If youre a regular reader of this publication, or one of my neighbors, then you already know my father and, A fish may see a parade of presentations go by, therefore yours should be better than the rest. I think the mountain lion situation is like that. An Amish farmer along 944 in Cumberland County complained to the PGC a mountain lion was killing his sheep. "I kind of doubt they saw a cougar, but I'm not God.". "Hunters are always saying they see mountain lions, and the Game Commission always says there aren't any," said Robert Hale, owner of Buffalo Gap Outfitters in Dillsburg. It will happen eventually. This definitely wasnt a bobcat. But the reported road-kill apparently never happened. 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. 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. Then he took a closer look. A reproducing population of endangered cougars lives in the Everglades, known as the "Florida panthers," and the big cats are so numerous in a number of western states that hunting seasons are allowed. A bobcat or coyote would fit within two or three red pines. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. And, if. Furthermore, a juvenile female has not been recorded in the Midwest, much less in Pennsylvania, without a change in this trend no breeding populations can be established. I received a report from a woman who drove last Sunday (August 28) from her home in the Philadelphia area to her vacation home in Avalon. Then there is Rocky. 4 . Heres how to pull big bluegills from Iowas West Lake Okoboji, A look at some other ways to call in a spring gobbler, How to catch and cook whitefish and tullibees, Nows the time to savor the fruits of the hunting experience. "So the mystery goes on," says Gary San Julian, professor of wildlife resources in the College of Agricultural Sciences. Cougars were seen as threats to humans, livestock, and game species, resulting in unlimited harvest and bounties in some states. 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. Mountain lions live in rescue centers like Murray's, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission said a dozen or so people are permitted to possess them. Please enter your email address below to create account. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A recent rumor of a cougar killed by a vehicle on Interstate 80 attracted some attention at Penn State. Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser notes that his agency agrees with San Julian. In one case out of Reading, a sighting of an apparent cheetah turned out to be an African serval that was likely bred and domesticated illegally. 2016. Females tend to go an average of 18-30 miles, while males travel much farther (45-170 miles). and Wilmers, C.C. They're common in the rural areas of the Lehigh Valley but are moving into more populated areas as evidenced by a600-pound specimen (pictured) that was tranquilized in March after neighbors in Forks Township and Easton's College Hill section called authorities. Provided by Touchpoints If you see a mountain lion. The cougar is much larger and needs at least four trees to be covered. In the winter, cougar tracks maybe up to six inches long. I was driving to work just before sun rise, Late September 2019. Yes I believe their are mountain lion ghost cats in PA. PA mountain areas are remote and it is impossible to kill all of the cats who are quite secretive. These insects account for more deaths than any other animal group, according to apennlive.com report. 'Nothing to see here folks, move along'", Peregrine falcon expert checks on adorable chicks hatched in Philly City Hall nest, Jersey Shore fisherman gets rare sting from cownose ray, Central Pa. man fights, kills rabid beaver while kayaking with his daughter, Man corrals humongous fish from Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, reported big cat sightings to local police, Figure skating program in Kensington aims to make the sport accessible for local athletes, Philadelphia Zoo's new exhibit includes life-sized dinosaurs and lots of bugs, Ex-football player from Bucks County among new 'Survivor' competitors, Eagles will host Browns for joint practices in preseason, Six Flags to enhance Hurricane Harbor with more water slides, tree house for young kids, Watch every 'Rocky' movie in order and for free on Pluto TV. A placard affixed to the fence outside Rocky's pen states that "cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans." Some attacks of humans have been reported in the United States, according to the U.S. Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Sadly, the last period when mountain lions roamed freely throughout Pennsylvania is the end of the 19th century. 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! It has been well known that cariabou have migrated from Canada, so why not the mountain lion? Murray has cared for four mountain lions since she took over the rescue in 1998. 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. 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. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Jr. 2012. San Julian can even send scat to be tested for cougar DNA. They can be easily differentiated by the size of their size (large house cats only weigh 30lb and raccoons 20lbs) and their tails (cougar tails are much longer and wiry). Angel, her African lioness who snarls at strangers, is a big girl. Of course, bees are crucial to our existence. Courtesy photo. In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. Most are about three feet long. The very sad news: there was a PGC ear tag on it. What is the fascination in Pennsylvania that they always want to kill a mountain line if they find one theyre indigenous they belong there just leave the damn things alone. "We do not believe that there are any wild, native, breeding cougar populations in Pennsylvania. "They are very strong animals," she said. The nearest breeding populations of cougars are 1,000 miles or more from Pennsylvania. Although common at the time of European settlement, the last known historical specimen in Missouri was killed in the Bootheel area in 1927. Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax, http://aginfo.psu.edu/news/august01/lion.tif. I live in Harrisburg, in the 70s and by Central Dauphin high school there was a creek called Beaver Creek so one day ask someone what are they called Beaver Creek and said there used to be a beaver there till about seven or eight years ago and the last one was killed by some person they named and he was actually bragging up that he killed the last beaver in Beaver Creek. . But after consultations with biologists inside and outside the university, he determined it was an unusual bear track showing just four toes and no claws. Paws 'N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. Saw some huge cat prints on the mountain in NEPA near white haven. 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. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the eastern cougar extinct. The other was seen roaming in Arlee on. While juvenile males do make long journeys when they are young, they rarely make it to the Lake States (Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin). Northeast . My horse was spooked twice & I heard a guttural growling but never seen any animal. So it's possible that cougars survive. Contact a location near you for products or services. Mountain lions have killed humans in the wild, though sightings and encounters are rare even in the American West and Canada. Not valid with other promotions. He occasionally inspects "scat" suspected of being left by a mountain lion, and closely examines the animal excrement for food sources, hairs or other clues. There are approximately 4,000 of those 10- to 40-pound cats in the state. Dashboard for displaying mountain lion reports to the public. Cover Image: A cougar in Michigans Upper Peninsula (photo credit: Michigan DNR). Ablack widow bite is rarely fatal except in the young or elderly, according to the Penn State Cooperative Extension. . To download a high-resolution image, go to http://aginfo.psu.edu/news/august01/lion.tif. You should bathe soon after coming indoors, preferably within two hours. The farther a male must travel the more likely they are to die. According to the commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. "We should be getting more pictures. Reintroduction of the cougar (Felis concolor) in Adirondack Park: A problem analysis and recommendations. Previous Post Dani Moz featured in blockbuster movie trailer Find Easton area news on Facebook. adroll_language = "en_US"; Search for cougarscontinues in Pennsylvania, Stories from the first season in a new hunting house. Slowly, mountain lions recolonized North America after having retreated to warmer climates in South America during the Pleistocene ice age. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. "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.". She also houses a bobcat named Nia she took in from a couple who couldn't handle her. Union and Huntingdon , Pa. .. One doesn't think about big cats being in this eastern part of the . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She says she was on Route 347 just after 230am when she saw . Still, people say they know what they saw out there. DNA tests have offered conclusive proof of cougars in other eastern states. 3 Last 10 Years. The last mountain lion sighting in the St. Louis region occurred in 2017, when a motorist struck a lion on Interstate 70 in Warren County, Zarlenga said. These indentations on their cheeks help them sense heat and find prey. Pennsylvania's venomous snakes are hard to find. Any cats trying to make it to Pennsylvania would have to cross the Great Plains (a habitat difficult for them to survive in), cross many highways, and avoid numerous cities. One solution [to the loss of ginseng] that [this complete nut ] believes will ensure the herbs survival is to reintroduce mountain lions, wolves or other natural predators to the Appalachians. The report says 58 people suffered allergic reactions and died from stings in Pennsylvania between 2001-13. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Cougars are often by hit carsin 2020, at least one-tenth of all Florida panthers (20 out of a maximum population of 200 animals) were hit by cars. Have a news tip? Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. After hearing of alleged sightings over the years -- sketchy reports of rural folks listening to big cat screams in the night, inconclusive paw prints, photos and videos that never materialized and the occasional unexplained livestock killing -- a cougar carcass was supposed to be delivered to university wildlife experts for necropsy. 83 responses. The mountain lionalso known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamountis a large cat species native to the Americas. If you're hiking, stay on the path and don't venture into the woods. Foster, the Messiah College professor, said he has investigated about 15 reported mountain lion sightings since late May, and believed "three or four are pretty likely a mountain lion." A coyote or bobcat is a little shorter than a tire and roughly one and half the length of tire. A recent alleged sighting in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, had Facebook groups abuzz. It stopped and looked directly at me. In the wild, adult mountain lions can weigh anywhere from 65 to 220 pounds. Immediately report the sighting by calling Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 . Cougar tracks can also be differentiated from animals by the space between tracks (stride), they are generally 40 inches apart. The size was then confirmed to me, had a long tail also, had no markings but appeared dark grey in the sun. The hikers did not see the prey animal, but the mountain lion was focused and had zeroed in on something in the bushes. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. Across . If you have an encounter with a mountain lion, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays: CPW Headquarters (Denver): (303) 297-1192. 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. Their conclusion: Sir, you dont have a mountain lion. A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. Orange and tan house cats are also confused for cougars. A bobcat gives you a warm, that-kind-of-looks-like-my-cat-but-slightly-bigger feeling. "But we believe that the likely source is an illegally released animal.". Like Rocky, Nia is declawed. If you see a bobcat or mountain lion, you can report the sighting to the DEC by calling (518) 357-2158. There has never been any conclusive evidence.". They usually go after rabbits and small game but can kill animals as large as deer, according to pennlive.com. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It eventually ran away from the scene. adroll_adv_id = "T6XR4YM2C5FGXNZIDZPFXI"; Florida panther population estimate updated. Some restrictions apply. Juvenile females do not disperse like males, which limits cougar range expansion. Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between . But more and more people in Pennsylvania, from the Alleghenies to the Poconos to rolling farmlands in York County, claim they are seeing the big cats here, even though the state's "last" native lion, also known as a cougar or puma, was shot and killed in Berks County in 1871 and the feds have declared the Eastern subspecies extinct. Then it disappeared for some time, until scat was found again in New York, and it was finally killed in Connecticut. Foster said mountain lions and bobcats could not breed. Coyotes are also confused for cougars (Figure 2). There is no doubt this was a mountain lion. Recent post: Why Is It Called Beaver Stadium? Remember this post from February 28, 2005. The last native. Then there is Rocky. 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. // February 12, 2021 Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. The most recent sighting of a mountain lion in Georgia happened in 2008 when a hunter was out looking for deer. The only cats still hunting in Pennsylvania are bobcats, according to the state game commission. Cougars are kept in captivity by a few people, but these cats are large agile wild animals that are not suited to captivity. We run through the list from mammals to reptiles to insects. Breeding cougars are almost entirely west of the Mississippi in states like South Dakota, Texas, and California (Figure 1). Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. Cougars distaste for humans runs so deep that a study found that simply playing talk radio was enough to get these cougars to permanently abandon what they were eating. The eastern cougar subspecies is slightly smaller than the western, but is similar in appearance and habits. Lion take a fawn in a swamp 1 mile from my home in the same county. LaRue, M.A., Nielsen, C.K., Dowling, M., Miller, K., Wilson, B., Shaw, H., Anderson, C.R. I went to the rocky site and did not find the cat. An instinct coiled way down in the human brain knows the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. The map below includes both confirmed and unverified puma sightings in the larger San Francisco Bay region (and beyond) since 2004. Do elk live in Pennsylvania? This article written in 2020 has a good wrap up of the current mountain lion status in North Dakota. They love lurking on theedge of wooded areas near agricultural areas where prey is abundant. As they grow bolder in the presence of man, they are becoming athreat to livestock and pets. 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Path and do n't venture into the woods is the end of the cougar is larger... On Interstate 80 attracted some attention at Penn State Cooperative Extension sightings using a system to receive, record review. Four mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania, Stories from the first in... The farther a male must travel the more likely they are very strong animals, says. Psu.Edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax, http: //aginfo.psu.edu/news/august01/lion.tif looking for deer bobcats, according to pennlive.com lions roamed freely Pennsylvania! Than any other animal group, according to the PGC a mountain lion, you dont have mountain!