That may be true, or was once true, but even a declawed puma, if it can survive off rabbits and squirrels, and breeds, its offspring would be fully equipted to survive. Erosion from glacial melt and violence glaciers did to the land left a. Recently the US Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the Eastern Puma an extinct species, except for the remnant population in Florida. Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? "The cougars examined in the Northeast in the past 70 years are likely released or escaped captives. The life cycle then repeats itself. I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? (What is meant by "heads" is not clear.). Although unconfirmed, mountain lions continue to be reported in many spots across Pennsylvania, including several reports in the past couple months. In personal contacts, that monthly average might even be higher. With that hope in mind, I have, for years, asked outdoors people if they ever heard of a mountain lion, or puma, in their area -- with my questioning limited to people in my home state of Pennsylvania. The other two clans were the Turtle and Turkey. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. All of the above images are of bobcats. One of the important things for any animal is a place to call home. I want to believe they're here, but I'm having some trouble. Mountain lions have a lifespan of about 8 to 13 years old in the wild. They include a reported attack on horses at a farm near Dillsburg, York County, that Foster thinks may be legitimate. My friend was a former hunter and fisherman, and spent a lot of time in the woods, as did I, but neither of us had ever seen a coyote. About half of the state of Montana is ideal for mountain lions, primarily in her western and central regions. The Asa Packer Mansion, built in the year 1861, is a historic house museum. I had three cameras positioned, so had a cat visited, I'd have had it. At one point, there was debate whether that cat should be protected, since its genes were diluted from escapees or released pumas that originated in South America or our West. While there have been no confirmed occurrences of mountain lions in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s, dozens . The Golden State has one of the largest populations of mountain lions in the country. The sightings were great bear views, but too fast or fleeting to allow me to grab a camera. Did they migrate south from Canada? Like Rocky, Nia is declawed. Pocono beasts: Mastodons, wolves, cougars once abundant in region Martinelli said that if there were mountain lions in Pennsylvania, there would be more sightings of them. Ramapough Lenape chief: National park in PA and NJ would be among 'most destructive things' since colonization, Bigfoot, mountain lions, and other mythical creatures: PA officials discuss what they know, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. That summer, a team from the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg excavated the nearly complete skeleton of the ancient elephant, the first of its kind found in the Commonwealth. If there were wild cougars in our midst, the Game Commission also pointed out, eventually there would be solid evidence such as a carcass, scat and paw prints that could be verified. ? All rights reserved. Illinois can also now be added to this list a mountain lion was found on the outskirts of Chicago. In some areas, entire populations of a species exhibit this trait, for unlike albinism, which results in a conspicuous white color and light-sensitive pink eyes, there are no ill effects with melanism. Here's a glimpse at what long-gone Pocono beasts the region's very first wave of residents may have seen, and the wild things that followed up to as late as the early 20th century. Ashley Catherine Fontones, Pocono Record. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. One might argue that the eastern puma is extinct, but that does not mean that there are not pumas (mountain lions, cougars) in the east. Woolly mammoth bones were discovered in Bradford County in 1983. It's 90-something degrees, but Rocky's stare feels like ice down your pants. He also published a follow-up on Oct. 15 with the same mountain lion-deer hoax photo, as well as personal stories from several local residents who claim they've seen mountain lions in the Poconos. Check out the tails of the two! Are there pumas, or mountain lions, in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic States? Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This animal was undoubtedly a bobcat. Of interestRamapough Lenape chief: National park in PA and NJ would be among 'most destructive things' since colonization. These cubs are born blind and helpless. In July and August I received seven different reports, and everyone involved had done a search of some type to compare images of bobcats and pumas. He wrote that not being a roving animal, the mountain lion was much sooner destroyed than the wolf, and he said that if there were any left, it would have to be in the most desolate places in the county. The mountain lion, which is also called a cougar, puma or panther, weighs on average between 75-120 pounds, has long whiskers and a distinctive swooping tail. Florida is the only state on the east coast with a breeding population of mountain lions. If we continue to be bombarded with manipulated photos and untrue claims in most cases by people who just want to get attention then we may be very resistant to accepting the "real McCoy" if or when) one finally arrives. I've looked in the PGC game laws booklet and saw nothing on this, which I guess you could conclude means a puma would not be legal to shoot. (PennLive has investigated many reports of mountain lions, and other mystery creatures, and has found no confirming evidence. It is an Italianate Villa home that features authentic Victorian furniture and finishing. Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. If youve done any research on your own, you may have noticed that we didnt include a lot of states that have had cougar sightings, especially in the last few years. The other site, The Cougar Network, is still active, and is reporting the cats expanding range from the West, but offers little about the phenomenon of Pennsylvania cats. "They're getting a lot of that out west. Reports of a mountain lion have come from several residents of Hemlock Farms who were hiking on. "They are very strong animals," she said. Its fur is a light, tawny brown color which can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions. Any Truth The same goes for New York and several other eastern states. Some outdoor enthusiasts insist they have seen the big cats here and believe them to be naturally occurring, native animals. Local outlets carried reports of cougar encounters at least into the 1910s. The first is the mating season which can occur during the late to early spring months. If so, what would happen to the hunting industry in all of these states? Because the neck bothered me, I decided to do some Photoshop on the puma in the lower left, moving his head higher up and changing the image to a contrasty black and white - to give a silhouette for comparision. The state of Texas is home to many mountain lion populations, but the numbers are incredibly hard to find. It had been captured in Florida, and was to be released. The last of three glaciations covered 30% of Pennsylvania, including much of the Poconos, from around 20,000-10,000 B.C. Pocono Mountains: Best Things To See And Do - TravelAwaits A law was passed March 10, 1806, requiring the county to pay the person producing the scalp of a full-grown wolf or cougar, $8, and for the scalp of a young whelp or cub, $4. Penn State's Nittany Lion hide sampled for DNA sequencing, Mountain lion reports in Pennsylvania popular, but often a hoax, More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. The story behind our new web site. Hopefully, we'll see the real thing. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. 10 Stunning Mountains In Pennsylvania - AZ Animals Here are the 15 US States That Have Mountain Lions - AZ Animals He said he'd never forget the sighting, but it was only when he saw another, a few months ago, in daylight, from his cabin, that he decided it was time to tell someone. Mountain lions, Goodrich wrote, were more dreaded than wolves as the cat could climb over any fence that could be built. For example, one man I interviewed said he saw a 'black' puma, and this should disqualify his sighting as a black puma has never been recorded. On the second night, a mountain lion passed by, apparently drawn by the smell but put off by the stench, as the cat did not visit the kill. I think it is possible that recognizing the existence of pumas in the East could jeopardize this industry and an entire economy. Eyes are normal and are not light sensitive, and the over-all color, generally black, is usually not detrimental and may actually be of benefit. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I am bothered by the constricted neck of the cat on the game camera; 2. the tail is curved down, rather than up, but it may have been in mid-swing; 3. the goldenrod-appearing flower, and the background of cars, gives a sense of scale and location. I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one. Most of my original Questions of the Month for the last several In January, the U.S. 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.". I'll be anxious to learn of your report. And book one of these Poconos cabins rentals for the best outdoor access to these activities. The bones were found perfectly preserved. One man sent me a game camera photo that was blurry but looked like a mountain lion, or puma, as I like to call them. In books I've read critical or skeptical or down-right dismissive of the idea of pumas in the East, the argument has been advanced that the hopefull puma-dreamer/spotters arguing that the State needs to prove pumas don't exist does not mean that in the State not proving this means that pumas indeed do exist in this state. Both sheep and young cattle fell prey to wolves, unless they were under constant watch. A total of 32 mountain lions have been struck and killed by vehicles in the study area since 2002. Same story as 'black panthers' across the country, because of course there, scientifically, can be no such thing. If we don't see it, it doesn't exist. On that, I've had emails sent with game trail photo attachments, or killed pumas, supposedly shot in Pennsylvania, but these were hoaxes. If we say it ain't so, it ain't so! The record size for this species is 8 feet, and it probably weighed 15 to 20 pounds, which shows how exaggerated this claim is. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "I know they're native to this area. Below is a list of physical characteristics that distinguish mountain lions from more . Mountain lions can live in almost any habitat including forests, prairies, deserts, and swamps. Over 1,100 people follow her page. The 'look' is from my That's true. What equipment do we take in the field? However, many of my reports were at distances that people knew, and as you look at the images of the puma there really is a big difference in color and shape between a puma and a house cat. The next day, another friend, who works for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, called me to ask if I had seen the photo of a Pocono mountain lion with a deer in its jaws. A Mountain Lion Cover Up Fish and Wildlife Service. As a state known for its mountains, its no wonder that mountain lions live here! I've know of reports since 1973, in Cooke Forest, the heart of a lot of Pa. wilderness. Despite reported sightings throughout the East, including Pennsylvania, and a confirmed mountain lion killed in Connecticut in 2011, there has been no evidence that any of those cats were native to the East. "While confirmed cougar sightings have occurred recently in the wild in the East, there is currently no scientific or physical evidence documenting the continued existence of a population of wild eastern cougars," according to the U.S. The rocky habitat that covers much of the state is perfect for these ambush predators, especially since humans dont inhabit much of the land. Every year we receive a few similar reports from hikers, hunters or other outdoor enthusiasts. Currently, there are only 15 states that meet that qualification. Two weeks ago, a friend of mine who teaches in one of the Monroe County school districts called to tell me he was sending me a photo of a mountain lion taken by one of his students in the Poconos. Although a large proportion of the Lenape Nation was dispersed far from their ancestral homelands in the 18th century, colonial settlers and their descendants struggled to live in this region with wolves and cougars inhabiting the forests. There's a saying that "things aren't always what they appear to be." Among those who have investigated the primeval times of the Pocono Plateau and Delaware River valleys and tributaries was the late Vernon Leslie, Ph.D., a Wayne County historian and archaeologist. (570) 325-3229. This happens usually around the 18-month mark. I'd suspect it would still be considered very rare, after all, it was thought to be extinct. A dark brown puma, backlighted by a strong sun, could appear all black, or very dark, and he accepted that. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. "From people that I trust have had visual sightings, they've seen mountain lions.". The mountain lion population in Nevada is essential to the control of deer and rodent populations in the mountainous regions of the state. Note the size of the tail, the pointed ears, the speckled coat, the basic lack of white underneath. This, after they were told that there were no pumas in Pa. . Kross only saw the animal for a second, but it made a believer out of him. For information on predator tracks, check out this guide: https://www.wildliferemoval.com/animal-track-identification-guide/, Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. Today, we are going to explore the 15 US states that have mountain lions, plus a few others that may have some. 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. Consider that the endangered Florida puma has mixed genes. Mountain lions that are looking for new breeding areas are known as transient and are almost always males. For example, leopards and jaguars, normally spotted cats, have a melanistic color morph, the 'black panther,' the black leopard or black jaguar. Most nature magazines state whether the photos were taken "under controlled conditions" rather than in the wild.). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I'm wondering, then, if the complete dismissal of sightings of Eastern pumas (other than the acknowledgement of released or escaped pets) isn't motivated by economics. It was estimated to be a young adult American Mastodon that had died about 12,000 years ago, according to radiocarbon dating. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. 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). And a bit of an unpleasant one at that, as they now faced ridicule or doubt whenever they discussed their sightings. Mountain lions are well-established in 14 western states and have also recently been confirmed in 10 Midwestern states: Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The woman, a 66-year-old grandmother, asked not to be identified because she's a senior and didn't want people "bothering" her about it. What would account for the long tails? However, if it doesn't exist, and if someone saw one, wouldn't there be a worry that it was a dangerous escapee? Eastern mountain lion officially declared extinct - pennlive.com Recently, on a back road in Pennsylvania, a friend and I had our first sighting of a coyote in Pennsylvania. In the area around the border of Pennsylvania and West Virginia there are mountains and deep caves that contain some of the coal mines that were a major part of the state's industry in the early part of the 19 th century. Hunting is legal, but the use of dogs was banned in 1996. ARE THERE MOUNTAIN LIONS IN PA? - Page 8 - Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Unfortunately, their web site no longer seems active, and has been taken over by some wacky drug product. ", (PennLive has investigated many reports of mountain lions, and other mystery creatures, and has found no confirming evidence, including in a reported Berks County sighting on January 8. years are available through this link. In this at this distant epoch, archaeologists attempt to clear some of the mists and mysteries of prehistoric times. However, it is clearly a mountain lion, and I'm presenting this poor image as a baseline reference for anyone recording a mountain lion on a game camera, or seeing one. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. Albinos are often very light sensitive, and they certainly are conspicuous, and most do not live very long. Most of the native mountain lions live in Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, but humans rarely ever see them due to their secretive nature. The skeleton was reassembled at the State Museum, where it has been on display ever since. They ponder rare fossil evidence unearthed and seek to make sense of stratified geology, both fleeting in the face of what we call progress. How do I deal with shaving weight for carrying my gear? These color morphs are most common in rain forests and jungles. Certainly it is a romantic notion, but I've always held out the hope that pumas still roamed the east. Remember, this one was photographed in Arizona in good puma country, although this was the first one I've recorded there. 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. During this time, male mountain lions will travel in search of females. They have almost been killed off a few times, but conservation efforts have helped to keep their numbers stable. Transient males have been sighted as far east as New York! Possibly, but it seems unlikely that enough would have been released or had escaped to make for a viable population. Some experts predict that this wide-ranging predator, which can travel 600 miles in search of a territory, will surely reach our eastern states sometime in the next few decades. On that note, I was speaking with a Fed Ex driver recently who told me that one of his colleagues had seen what he swore was a dead mountain lion on the side of a road. With healthy populations and strong conservation programs, however, they seem to be pushing back east. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. If pumas do exist in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, could they all be released cats or escapees? Cougar vs Mountain Lion What Are the Differences? Here it is: I still couldn't get the big head/little neck, and the body is a bit stouter/shorter, but a striding cat might be stretched out a bit. These powerful, majestic creatures once lived across much of the country but have since been killed or pushed out of most of it. Periodically, via Google searches, I receive reports from people who believe they had seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania, or in other mid-Atlantic states. And yet today the debate continues: Are there mountain lions in Pennsylvania? "We've been here 45 years and I've probably been told by people at least 100 times that they've seen a cougar or mountain lion," said owner Vince Hall. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is always open to review evidence, but to date only hoaxes have crossed the PGC. Joseph Pugliese 2.2K views 7 years ago Beautiful Bobcat in our yard as our. "Given the period of time that has passed without verification of even a single eastern puma, the service concludes that the last remaining members of this subspecies perished decades ago," the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a Federal Register notice. That's significant because, in states where mountain lions live, they're often struck by vehicles or otherwise found dead. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Only once has anyone later determined that they had misidentified the cat, seeing a bobcat and not a mountain lion. Would a puma then qualify as a native species? Do elk live in Pennsylvania? Are they all the product of the off-spring of pumas that escaped their owners or were released? Obviously, other pumas must be about, and the series of ridges extending north and east and west from my location could all be included as critical habitat as well. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, there are no wild, breeding cougar populations in this state anymore. Granted, the image is not great, and I used some Photoshop adjustment layers to enhance the image, making it a bit easier to see. A recent alleged sighting in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, had Facebook groups abuzz. Armand Martinelli isn't only the mayor of East Stroudsburg, he's also a hunter who is connected with plenty of people in the area.