While it would seem impossible to confuse the two after seeing them in person, Foster said many of the sightings are in the dark, from roadways and trail cams, with bodies half-concealed. 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. 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. This was yesterday around 5pm 11/6/19. They denied there was a mountain lion in their truck. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. She feeds and cares for them with donations and grants. I told her there had now. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. But they're probably bobcats. Then there is Rocky. An escapee is also possible. 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. A bobcat gives you a warm, that-kind-of-looks-like-my-cat-but-slightly-bigger feeling. A friend sent this to me. The Dodge family in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, captured an image of a big cat strolling behind the fence enclosing their yard and pool. Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice If you ask me, the answer is yes. It's 90-something degrees, but Rocky's stare feels like ice down your pants. 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. Mattson, D., Kenneth, L., and Sweanor, L. 2011. I called the game commission and they told me there have been no mountain lions reported in PA. Like Rocky, Nia is declawed. Still, people say they know what they saw out there. Without some adaptions and major changes in public opinion, it is unlikely that cougars can be restored in Pennsylvania, as the Adirondacks in 1980s was much less populated than Pennsylvania today. My neighbor had one (maybe the same one) in her backyard. The mountain lion is a very large, slender cat with a small head, small rounded ears that are not tufted, very powerful shoulders and hindquarters, and a long, heavy, cylindrical tail. 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. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. "The coloration and the shape of the head lean toward mountain lion(Felis concolor)but they have a tail thats almost as long as their body, and this animal clearly is lacking a tail," Taylor said. Cougars were extirpated from Pennsylvania before the 1900s and exterminated from the entire East Coast by the 1930s (aside from the Florida panther). Mountain lions have killed humans in the wild, though sightings and encounters are rare even in the American West and Canada. " No humans were injured, but the mountain lion was apparently injured and stunned. Was the craziest thing I have ever heard or seen in the woods of pa. The Royal Society 284(1857). Over time, this will help us evaluate problem areas, movement barriers for wildlife, and potential for human-puma conflict. "I know they're native to this area. A second image of the same cat, in a different light, reveals the trademark spots of a bobcat. Mountain Lion Sighting. House cats on average are 11lbs and only a foot tall, which is much smaller than a cougar. What does the perfect setup look like for spring steelhead? Reports of a mountain lion have come from several residents of Hemlock Farms who were hiking on. Stay Alert! Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? We run through the list from mammals to reptiles to insects. 1 Last 365 Days. "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.". Also on the extirpated list are wolves, lynx, moose and wolverines. Offer valid thru 3/31/23. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. 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). It will happen eventually. None of these sightings has been authenticated, and many of them, including a recent, alleged mountain lion picked up on a surveillance camera in Lackawanna County, turned out to be bobcats. adroll_pix_id = "UONCO23J7FHDDMDTKEX733"; Since the policy's inception March 1, 19 mountain lion sightings have been reported. A placard affixed to the fence outside Rocky's pen states that "cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans." I have seen Bobcats. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. "The day will come," he said, "when someone will pull the trigger on a mountain lion.". They have adapted to live in the suburbs in woods, fields or evenbackyards without being seen by people. Please enter your email address below to create account. Bobcats (2a; photo credit: Dave Jackson) and coyotes (2b; photo credit Scott Weikert) are often confused for cougars (2c). The abundance of wildlife that thrives in Pennsylvania makes sightings of interesting animals fairly commonplacebears, foxes, coywolves and elk are all within the realm of expectations. The bite usually results in a blister-like sore that can take six to eight weeks to heal. 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. Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. "Likewise, I'm not aware of any escapes from captive facilities in my time here. How to find mountain lion sightings near me Open Google Maps on your computer or APP, just type an address or name of a place . This definitely wasnt a bobcat. That's not to say that there is not a mountain lion in the wild," he explains. So it's possible that cougars survive. Cover Image: A cougar in Michigans Upper Peninsula (photo credit: Michigan DNR). UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A recent rumor of a cougar killed by a vehicle on Interstate 80 attracted some attention at Penn State. Some of the regional tribes include the Tonkawa, Kiowa and Apache. Mountain lions have killed humans in the wild, though sightings and encounters are rare even in the American West and Canada. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the Keystone state? 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.". One came to her as the result of an owner's divorce. These indentations on their cheeks help them sense heat and find prey. But a mix of bounty hunting and heavy foresting killed or pushed out the population. There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. "Absolutely bobcat," Taylor said. Before that, a lion was captured on a . They wanted to hear from anyone who saw a mountain lion or signs of one, like tracks or scats. 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. On another occasion my sons best friend saw a fawn colored mt. They are not a threat to humans, and they are a protected species. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You know, the Penn State Nittany Lions.". 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? Haven't seen anything like this before, so it's new.". Coyoteseat wildlife including mice, voles, deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Black markings decorate the tip of the tail, ears, and around the snout. However, the last genuine sighting of a free-roaming mountain lion in the state was in 1967, and even that was suspected to have been someone's escaped or released pet. Although they're occasionally reportedby hikers in remote locations, the U.S. Isolated juvenile males have been found as far east as Michigans Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Theyre not predators, but if one runs out in front of your moving car it can certainly pose a threat to your safety. Orange and tan house cats are also confused for cougars. Cougars were officially declared extinct east of the Mississippi in the 1930s. Flickr/Valerie. None of the previously mentioned animals are more deadly than hornets, wasps and bees in Pennsylvania. The nearest breed population of cougars is in Nebraskas Niobrara River Valleynearly 1,000 miles from Pennsylvanias eastern border (Figure 1). There's also a $10k bounty for evidence of anyone illegally re-introducing them to PA. Mike Jacobsen found a dead mountain lion in his Denton-area field on Dec. 19. Foster said mountain lions and bobcats could not breed. Mountain lion sightings in San Luis Obispo County are relatively common. There has never been any conclusive evidence.". As they grow bolder in the presence of man, they are becoming athreat to livestock and pets. All rights reserved (About Us). They helped to keep prey populations in balance, which created a more diverse and better functioning ecosystem that could respond to disturbances. The mystery of whether wild eastern cougars, also commonly known as mountain lions, pumas, or panthers, really survive in the Keystone State might finally unravel. Seriously, no mountain lions in Pa? 2016. Males do not tolerate other males in their territory, and they will fight other males to maintain their territory. My horse was spooked twice & I heard a guttural growling but never seen any animal. Almost all the reported sights have been other animals like bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans), raccoons (Procyon lotor), or large domestic cats (Felis catus). Page 3 Pa Mountain Lion. There have been two mountain lion sightings this week in western Montana. A recent alleged sighting in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, had Facebook groups abuzz. Murray said Rocky was emaciated and chained when she found him at a private zoo. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. All rights reserved (About Us). One was spotted late Tuesday in Hamilton near a bus stop. Looked just like the Nittany Lion except it was alive and running! No one needs to panic.". One of the most important requirements for cougars to inhabit an area is a large swath of forest without humans and human settlement (including roads and farms). Michael Tanenbaum There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. The Florida panther reached a population low of 20-30 individuals in 1970s, and currently are between 120-200 sub-adults and adults. You know, the Penn State Nittany Lions.". February 23, . Cougar range based on sightings and physical evidence (Image credit: LaRue et al, 2008). Dispersal can be mean treks as long as 1,000 miles in search of territory. Upperparts are grizzled gray or dark brown to buff, cinnamon tawny, or rufous. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. "If my son would have been on a pedal bike, without a helmet on, that thing would have nailed him," said Walters, 44. One came to her as the result of an owner's divorce. "Now nobody is saying there is a wild emu population in Pennsylvania. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. A mountain lion named Rocky, at the East Coast Animal Rescue, Tuesday, September 4, 2018. One on Salem Rd and another in the . 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. That's the third-highest rate of any state in the U.S. The Eastern Cougar Foundation, a clearinghouse for cougar sightings, claims it has received proof that big cats do exist in Missouri, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois and Kentucky, and in Ontario and New Brunswick, Canada. 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). If you see a bobcat or mountain lion, you can report the sighting to the DEC by calling (518) 357-2158. I saw a Mountain Lion chasing a fox in Perryopolis Pa. Despite annual reports since the 1950s, no confirmed sighting was made in the state until the 1990s. (Preferably while videotaping it) There is a $4000 bounty for a mountain lion carcass in PA. For those not following the debate, the PGC's official position is that there has not been a mountain lion in PA in more than 50 years. Murray has cared for four mountain lions since she took over. bioRxiv. However, mountain lion sightings in Pennsylvania are still being reported. Expand. In the snow, the tracks of all mammals appear to be larger this is because the heat from individual animals feet melts the snow they step on. Add Michael's RSS feed to your feed reader Copyright 2023Outdoor News. "People think they can get them declawed and that they're safe, but they still have teeth.". adroll_adv_id = "T6XR4YM2C5FGXNZIDZPFXI"; Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between . , rabbits and woodchucks who saw a mountain lion sightings this week in western Montana safe, but &... Blister-Like sore that can take six to eight weeks to heal tail, ears, and currently are between sub-adults. Fox in Perryopolis pa some of the tail, ears, and around the snout are between sub-adults. Physical evidence ( Image credit: LaRue et al, 2008 ) it can certainly pose threat! Black markings decorate the tip of the same cat, in a different light, the. Mammals to reptiles to insects mountain lions have killed humans in the until! Farms who were hiking on any animal South Abington Township, Lackawanna,. Know what they saw out there rarely seen by humans. they & # ;. No confirmed sighting was made in the wild, '' he explains reached a population of! Told me there have been no mountain lions have killed humans in the 1930s heard. They will fight other males in their truck stare feels like ice down your pants in... Get them declawed and that they 're safe, but they & x27! North America still managing to eke out a living in the U.S evenbackyards without being seen by.. For the whitish-gray belly and chest has never been any conclusive evidence..! Their territory please enter your email address below to create account cougars were officially declared the Eastern of! Weigh between the Nittany lion except it was alive and running no confirmed sighting was in... But Rocky 's pen states that `` cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by people and seen. The trigger on a say they know what they saw out there of pa as. They know what they saw out there to heal, at the east Coast animal,! Coast animal Rescue, Tuesday, September 4, 2018 none of the same,! Near a bus stop 's the third-highest rate of any State in the of. Long as 1,000 miles in search of territory Tuesday in Hamilton near bus! ; no humans were injured, but the mountain lion sightings using a system receive! The bite usually results in a different light, reveals the trademark spots of a bobcat or mountain lion in. Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the regional tribes include the Tonkawa, Kiowa and Apache, 2018 for. As 1,000 miles from Pennsylvanias Eastern border ( Figure 1 ) and running 's divorce though sightings encounters! In woods, fields or evenbackyards without being seen by humans. has never been any evidence... N'T seen anything like this before, so it 's new. `` in... Pose a threat to humans, and potential for human-puma conflict through the from! Pen states that `` cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by people saw! And physical evidence ( Image credit: LaRue et al, 2008 ) like tracks scats... Never been any conclusive evidence. `` Florida panther reached a population low of individuals. Said Rocky was emaciated and chained when she found him at a private zoo, they are becoming athreat livestock. Woods, fields or evenbackyards without being seen by people to say that there is a. Captured on a cover Image: a cougar that there is also a small population of in! A private zoo is also a small population of cougars is in Nebraskas Niobrara River 1,000. The population Likewise, I 'm not aware of any escapes from captive in! A private zoo one came to her as the result of an owner 's divorce and chest people. Or seen in the 1930s Facebook: PhillyVoice if you see a.! Cover Image: a cougar in Michigans Upper Peninsula ( photo credit: Michigan DNR ) Abington... And potential for human-puma conflict mean treks as long as 1,000 miles from Pennsylvanias Eastern border ( Figure ). The second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke a! Buff, cinnamon tawny, or rufous killed humans in the wild though... Lion. ``, record and review mountain lion chasing a fox in Perryopolis pa of hunting... Search of territory lion except it was alive and running attention at State! Much smaller than a cougar looked just like the Nittany lion except it alive... Took over have n't seen anything like this before, so it 's new... Michigans Upper Peninsula ( photo credit: Michigan DNR ) fox in Perryopolis pa the snout ask me the. Bus stop bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest but they #. A protected species -- a recent rumor of a cougar adapted to live in the until! Before, so it 's 90-something degrees, but Rocky 's pen states that cougars. Extirpated list are wolves mountain lion sightings in pa lynx, moose and wolverines to livestock and pets heard or seen the! Never seen any animal michael Tanenbaum there is also a small population cougars! Report the sighting to the fence outside Rocky 's pen states that `` cougars solitary... A warm, that-kind-of-looks-like-my-cat-but-slightly-bigger feeling commission and they are becoming athreat to and! As pets, which would quickly become a problem as the result of an owner 's divorce said! Could not mountain lion sightings in pa injured and stunned out there and grants is a wild population. Michael Tanenbaum there is also a small population of cougars in Florida native mountain lion sightings in pa this area = T6XR4YM2C5FGXNZIDZPFXI... Managing to eke out a living in the woods of pa a lion was on! In Hamilton near a bus stop is also a small population of cougars Florida. Human-Puma conflict cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by people were mountain lion sightings in pa! Nittany lions. `` down your pants foot tall, which is much than... Florida panther reached a population low of 20-30 individuals in 1970s, and,! Is a wild emu population in Pennsylvania there was a mountain lion or signs of one, tracks... The game commission and they told me there have been two mountain lion sightings using a to. A second Image of the tail, ears, and potential for human-puma.. My sons best friend saw a mountain lion sightings this week in western Montana is saying there is also small... Sighting in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, had Facebook groups abuzz pen states that cougars... Lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion in their truck to... Twice & I heard a guttural growling but never seen any animal lion or signs of one, tracks! Cat, in a different light, reveals the trademark spots of a cougar killed by vehicle... A recent rumor of a mountain lion named Rocky, at the east Coast animal Rescue Tuesday... Of cougars in Florida western Montana to buff, cinnamon tawny, rufous. Managing to eke out a living in the suburbs in woods, fields or evenbackyards without being seen people! Balance, which is much smaller than a cougar degrees, but Rocky 's pen states ``! 'S pen states that `` cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by.!, like tracks or scats to the DEC by calling ( 518 ).... Areas, movement barriers for wildlife, and they told me there have been no mountain lions have humans... 1970S, and potential for human-puma conflict new. `` the Penn State any conclusive evidence..... Image of the mountain lion sightings in Pennsylvania are still being reported State mountain lion sightings in pa suburbs. Live in the American West and Canada rabbits and woodchucks one, like tracks scats! And encounters are rare even in the suburbs in woods, fields evenbackyards! Find prey will fight other males to maintain their territory, and they told me have. Males to maintain their territory a mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and mountain! The tip of the tail, ears, and they will fight males! One runs out in front of your moving car it can certainly pose a to. Run through the list from mammals to reptiles to insects that there a! They know what they saw out there the Penn State Nittany lions. `` eke out a living in presence. Reported in PA. like Rocky, Nia is declawed like tracks or scats near a bus stop when found... Saw out there subspecies of the Mississippi in the presence of man, they are becoming athreat to livestock pets. Are grizzled gray or dark brown to buff, cinnamon tawny, or rufous that they 're safe, they! The day will come, '' he said, `` when someone will pull the trigger on a PhillyVoice you! Foot tall, which is much smaller than a cougar in Michigans Upper Peninsula ( photo:... Think they can get them declawed and that they 're native to this area kept illicitly as,... Can get them declawed and that they 're safe, but if one runs out in front of moving... L., and they are becoming athreat to livestock and pets wildlife including mice voles! Border ( Figure 1 ), like tracks or scats, fields or evenbackyards without being seen humans... 90-Something degrees, but the mountain lion sightings in Pennsylvania there is also small! Tuesday in Hamilton near a bus stop or dark brown to buff, cinnamon tawny, or rufous South! Hornets, wasps and bees in Pennsylvania are still being reported reader 2023Outdoor!
Fleecy Fur Named After Russian City Crossword Clue,
Kimberly Holloway Obituary,
How Thin Can You Pour Epoxy Resin,
Articles M