Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. An article in last year's New York State Conservationist magazine about mountain lions concluded that none exists in that state, even in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Mountain wilderness. Archived Questions of the Month 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. 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. 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. See also: All rights reserved (About Us). Imagine my surprise. Mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the opposite side of Pennsylvania a year ago, Is it real? Over the last two years I have occasionally posted a Question of the Month soliciting sightings from people who believed that they have seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania or in other areas in the mid-Atlantic states. These experiences are still available, but the reality is there is so much more for the mature traveler to enjoy in the Pocono Mountains. Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? Nevertheless, I put up a MOULTRIE game camera -- a brand that I've had tremendous satisfaction with -- at the carcass, hoping that scavengers would visit. Those cats for which DNA evidence was recovered had come east from South Dakota, part of the known, modern-day, U.S. mountain lion range. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. years are available through this link. Kross only saw the animal for a second, but it made a believer out of him. 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. I asked our Game officials about evidence, and they cite no road kills. Instead, the person usually pauses, sometimes with a sheepish or embarrassed expression on his face, and seems reluctant to continue. The mountain lion population in Nevada is essential to the control of deer and rodent populations in the mountainous regions of the state. The cat is known to live in the western U.S. and Florida, South America and Canada. Cougar Network tracks mountain lion expansion from the western U.S. to the east. 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. Caribou meat apparently was part of their diet. "People think they can get them declawed and that they're safe, but they still have teeth.". The other two clans were the Turtle and Turkey. In captivity mountain, lions can live to be about 20 years old. However, if you've seen a mountain lion, or other mystery creature, or evidence of either, in Pennsylvania, contact outdoor writer Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com.). ", (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. Mountain lions typically eat about one deer per week, along with other smaller prey as the opportunity arises. Transient males have been sighted as far east as New York! Did they migrate south from Canada? There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! Furthermore, a different set of photos showed a "mountain lion" dragging a deer into the woods in Bradford County. 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. For many who have believed to have seen a cougar in the wilds of the Poconos, these arguments might be less than convincing. 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. Just take your pick of all these incredible Pocono lake house rentals or just a Pocono cabin for rent, in luxury of course! 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. I'm thinking of the solution often suggested for pesky endangered species out west, namely wolves and grizzly bears. Several populations of Gray Squirrels scattered around the country are black, and recently I heard of a neighborhood of black Eastern Chipmunks. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. I think it is possible that recognizing the existence of pumas in the East could jeopardize this industry and an entire economy. . Albinos are often very light sensitive, and they certainly are conspicuous, and most do not live very long. And book one of these Poconos cabins rentals for the best outdoor access to these activities. "Likewise, I'm not aware of any escapes from captive facilities in my time here. ? The last native mountain lion known to be killed in Pennsylvania is on display in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. There are also big swaths of thick of forests in parts of the state. All rights reserved. Travis Lau, a spokesperson for the Game Commission, said the state has a "never say never" approach when it comes to mountain lions and acknowledges that Western cats could be moving east. About half of the state of Montana is ideal for mountain lions, primarily in her western and central regions. What the Lenape Indians never did, the European colonists and their descendants did swiftly eradicate the wolf and cougars viewed as a menace to their families and livestock. The coat can be spotted or solid. "They are very strong animals," she said. 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 claim of mountain lions on the move was bolstered in 2009 when one was killed by a car in Greenwich, Conn. Bushkill Falls Trail. "The cougars examined in the Northeast in the past 70 years are likely released or escaped captives. The Florida panther is an endemic subspecies of cougar that has lived in the everglades region for a very long time. Pocono Record's Micaela Hood moves on to Lehigh Valley Public Media Now consider: If it was confirmed that there was a breeding population of endangered pumas on the mountain ridge behind my house, if the USFWS recognized the existence of this endangered species, what might happen? The claim of mountain lions on the move was bolstered in 2009 when one was killed by a car in Greenwich, Conn. While the chances that I'll ever see a puma in Pennsylvania myself are virtually zero, I'm always on the alert -- for the bobcat I've never seen in Pa., for a fisher, bear, deer, red salamander, toad, or snake, and yes, I'm always hoping that I too will become one of those who saw something that officially cannot exist within the state, a puma I know I saw but, of course, could not have! This animal was undoubtedly a bobcat. 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. Its fur is a light, tawny brown color which can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions. "From three really reliable sources who are always around the woods from Monroe County to Bradford, there is no doubt that there are mountain lions in Pennsylvania," East Stroudsburg University football team offensive coordinator and avid hunter Mike Terwilliger said. Most of the people I've spoken with live in this belt, but biologists friends I've spoken with have told me of their own reports, first-hand, from hunters in the Poconos who saw pumas, too. Noted Wayne County historian Phineas Goodrich recorded in his 1880 book on local history that the common gray wolf was much more common in this area than the cougar. If we say it ain't so, it ain't so! Fish and Wildlife Service. This is not a Pennsylvania puma! What is the Kiboko backpack? They have almost been killed off a few times, but conservation efforts have helped to keep their numbers stable. original web site, although if I ever have enough time I might I have three observations here: 1. "It's one of those things where I'll believe it when I see it," said Jason Farmer of Pocono Summit, my hunting partner for the last eight years. 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. The image in the Upper Left was from a Game Camera, sent to me by a friend. It is almost safe to say that the panther has in these parts become extinct, Goodrich wrote. The 'look' is from my Would a puma then qualify as a native species? Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania? The skeleton was reassembled at the State Museum, where it has been on display ever since. PHILADELPHIA (AP) An instinct coiled way down in the human brain knows the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. It also mentioned that someone raising a mountain lion without a license may either have let it go when it became too large to handle, or that the animal had escaped. One sighting I give complete belief in was from a friend who told me a puma crossed right in front of their vehicle, and paused on the berm for a few seconds, at a distant of ten yards or less. Let me explain this. September 21st, 2008, 08:14 PM #74. Had this been faked, I'd suspect the hoaxter would try for a more authentic background. Are Mountain Lions in Missouri Making a Comeback? 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. More common critters co-existed with early Native Americans in the Poconos, including two species long since removed: the wolf and mountain lion (also known colloquially as panthers and cougars). Who knows? A typical home range is around 150 square miles for adult males and 50 square miles for adult females in our region. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. 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. That solution: Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up. DCNR gave the following as examples: the saber-tooth cat; a small, three-toed horse; the Pleistocene beaver, and the mastodon. 2023 www.poconorecord.com. Contrary to popular belief, there are no black panthers in North America; no one has ever captured or killed a black Mountain Lion. 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? Thank you for reading! 1.8 miles, 2 hours, moderate. This one streaked across the road in the early evening, and fortunately, it stopped when it climbed a hill on the other side where I had another view from my side of the truck. The story behind our new web site. The states beautiful wilderness and mountainous terrain are prime mountain lion habitats. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. Mountain lions, Goodrich wrote, were more dreaded than wolves as the cat could climb over any fence that could be built. I've seen scores of leopards in the grasslands and deserts of East Africa and I've never seen, nor spoke with anyone, who has seen a black leopard there. "It's fall bow-hunting season soon," he said. Looking for things to do in the Poconos? You know, the Penn State Nittany Lions.". 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). Others would like to see some scientific proof. 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. By the mid-1900s pumas were eliminated from almost all of the eastern states, and by mid-century were officially extinct east of the Mississippi, except for a remnant population in southern Florida. Erosion from glacial melt and violence glaciers did to the land left a. Recent post: Why Is It Called Beaver Stadium? A recent alleged sighting in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, had Facebook groups abuzz. Mountain Lions - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Most of my original Questions of the Month for the last several There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. Mountain lions live almost everywhere in the state of Washington. 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. Editor's note: The Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent have collaborated for a series of stories called Mountain Beasts: Pocono cryptids, legends and lore. State Game Officials do concede that some people may indeed have seen a puma, but it was undoubtedly a released captive. Here's an example: A man is holding a dead eastern diamondback rattlesnake, which was found in North Carolina and measured more than 9 feet long and weighed 95 pounds. Murray has cared for four mountain lions since she took over the rescue in 1998. In 2011, a confirmed mountain lion was killed by a vehicle in Connecticut and which had been determined that it had wandered east from the Mid-West. Over time, cats that had been released in Florida, probably pets that outlived their welcome, bred with the native puma, and their genes mingled, Over the last few years I've done several Questions of the Month regarding Mountain Lions, or Pumas as they should properly be called, in the Mid-Atlantic States and in Pennsylvania. "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 wasn't, and I assumed it was a road-kill. (National Park Service). Every year we receive a few similar reports from hikers, hunters or other outdoor enthusiasts. I'll offer my own little anecdote. Local outlets carried reports of cougar encounters at least into the 1910s. 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." Consider that the endangered Florida puma has mixed genes. Mountain lions (cougars, pumas, and more) are among the top predators that live in the United States. a high priority. Now, if there were any escapes, and if any of these bred with a possible minuscule number of eastern pumas, a relic native population, wouldn't the gene pool be corrupted? A dark brown puma, backlighted by a strong sun, could appear all black, or very dark, and he accepted that. They are generally believed to be young cats roaming in search of new breeding territories to claim as their own. 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. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. More conclusive evidence is needed: Keep your cameras handy. When he isn't distracted by his backyard birdfeeder, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone around him about what he's recently learned. Same story as 'black panthers' across the country, because of course there, scientifically, can be no such thing. Recently, a man I spoke with told me that he was reminded of a sighting he and two friends had 20 years earlier, and after recalling the incident he was motivated to call his college buddies and reflect on their observation. The life cycle then repeats itself. In prior interviews with the Game Commission, the suggestion was made to this writer that what many people may actually be seeing is a bobcat, perhaps in less than ideal circumstances. All of the above images are of bobcats. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Melanism is the reverse, where there is an abundance of dark or black pigmentation. Bigfoot, mountain lions and other cryptids in PA Over time, cats that had been released in Florida, probably pets that outlived their welcome, bred with the native puma, and their genes mingled. (PennLive has investigated many reports of mountain lions, and other mystery creatures, and has found no confirming evidence. So it happens, and who knows if it is existing in wild pumas in the East. What does a Mountain Lion look like on a game camera? Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It has long been popular with honeymooners, but today the Poconos are a popular destination for families, skiers, adventure seekers, NASCAR fans, and those from urban areas around New England, New York City, Philadelphia . 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. Now, forty years ago coyotes were rare or almost nonexistent in Pennsylvania, and had had that same sighting back then, when coyotes were thought not to exist within the state we would have had the 'facts' to doubt what we saw.