Each sighting involved cougars that are not native to New York. If a young male Cougar disperses East, instead of West, they're going to keep walking because they're going tokeep looking for an area where they can find a mate, he said. If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. Officially, the last mountain lions were hunted to extinction here in the late 1800s. Join as a $8 per month sustainer and get our brand-new owl umbrella! She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. But its also a great story that lays out how an animal this large, at 150 pounds, traveling through even rural areas, leaves signs and is detected. As I rushed to meet her in the woods, she told me what she had seen. New Hampshire Public Radio | According to Hawley, if mountain lions were present in the state, there would be evidence and not just unconfirmed sightings. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. Do Not Approach! Weight: 160 lbs. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Here are some things to keep in mind if you come across or see a big cat like a mountain lion: The sightings were reported to the state Dept. 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To date, no footage of a mountain lion has surfaced. The police department decided to put out a warning to those in town. Time changes all and Im not going to shut the door on the future and say that a breeding population of cougars is not here because the day after tomorrow they could be here its just a matter of time., Though a deer hunter herself, Morse is opposed to the way mountain lions have been hunted in the western U.S., where they are found. Its important to stand your ground and not run or hide. Booth DEEP and local authorities around Connecticut have confirmed that the majority of mountain lion sightings in the state turn out to be sightings of bobcats. Make yourself BIG. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. He also quoted the work of geneticist Melanie Culver, who has proven that all North American puma species are genetically virtually identical. Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. But what about the sightings in Connecticut that are made by experienced outdoorsmen and women, people who know the difference between bobcats and mountain lions? Do not run. The journey is chronicled in the 2016 book, Abbott, of the Housatonic Valley Association, is equally skeptical of the vast majority of mountain lion sightings. And the last confirmed sighting prior to the 2011 instance would be a couple hundred years ago, according to Hawley. Facebook; Twitter; Email; Copy to clipboard. Live Now All times eastern. 4 . Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. 5. Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. Fight back. Hi! NHPR is nonprofit and independent. Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. Stephen Gencarella, professor of folklore studies at the University of Massachusetts and a Connecticut resident, says, The government coverup is only the latest version of something that could stretch back in the oral tradition to precolonial times. He notes that supposed mountain lion sightings spiked in the late 1800s and early 1900s shortly after the animals disappeared from New Englands woods. However, the National Wildlife Federation notes that the mountain lions range spreads all across the Americas, from the Canadian Yukon to The Strait of Magellan, making it the greatest range of any living mammal in the Americas.. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it,. It provided absolutely irrefutable proof that a wild Mountain Lion, at least occasionally, can make its way to New England. The New Hampshire Department of Justice is pursuing civil charges against two members of the hate group for allegedly hanging a racist banner in Portsmouth last summer. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Here are some physical differences between mountain lions and bobcats: These 2 big cats also behave differently. The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. Height at shoulder: 25-30 in. Got a question or comment? Mountain lions inhabit the badlands and Missouri River breaks regions of North Dakota. The big cat. National Signing Day 2022-2023: Connecticuts signing list. State conservation officials believe this photo, taken in Greenwich in 2011, shows a mountain lion. Mountain lions are about half the size of lions, but they can run up to 50 mph while lions can run only 37 mph. Throw rocks, sticks, etc to scare it off. Weve had housecats misidentified as mountain lions and even deer, Rego says. They reside in all eight counties, however, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner of the state. There is also something appealing about the idea that there is an animal out there so cunning that it has escaped our notice and the eyes of our cameras. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection receives 50-100 reports of mountain lions each year, says Paul Rego, a wildlife biologist with the department. Females are typically smaller. This young adult, male Mountain Lion was struck and killed by a SUV in Milford, Connecticut on June 11, 2012. According to Jason Hawley, a wildlife biologist for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Wildlife Division, the department gets around 100 sighting reports of mountain lions each year, but upon further investigation, a good proportion of the sightings end up being bobcats. What to know about unconfirmed mountain lion sightings in CT. Nicole Funaro was formerly a statewide trending reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group, covering everything from the most fascinating properties for sale in the Nutmeg State to the latest movie filming in the state. Black panthers, which are not found in the U.S., are actually black jaguars or leopards. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 The map below includes both confirmed and unverified puma sightings in the larger San Francisco Bay region (and beyond) since 2004. About two years ago in July 2020, there were around 1,500 reports of bobcat sightings in the state, with some bobcat sightings in Brookfield and Ridgefield that year. Connecticut Public Radio | Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. In 2011, genetic testing confirmed that a mountain lion originated in South Dakota and traveled more than 1,500 miles before being struck by a car on the Merritt Parkway, according to Reuters. Sign up for our newsletterto get the latest and greatest content fromConnecticut Magazinedelivered right to your inbox. There is a big difference between Tuesday when none of us saw a moose in our region and then Thursday we did, Morse says. Make noise-- be as loud as you can while you make yourself as big as you can. If you have a worldview in which the government is conspiring to do weird stuff, than thats what youre going to see, and all the evidence is going to point to exactly what you believe, he says. Weight. I enjoy exploring CT and reporting back to my readers about fun things to do in Connecticut. 2012). They are very bold. I saw one cross the rd ( rt 63) in Wtn @ 5 yrs ago, @Craig, Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators., Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, For the first time in decades, The Old Farmer's Almanac is looking for a new editor, NSC-131 members say they can't find a NH defense lawyer for pending civil rights case, Cautiously optimistic: Maple syrup producers expect a good season this year, In Spokane, Washington, officials test a housing strategy rejected by NH lawmakers. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) DEEP sightings: Where the bears are in CT. Jim Shay. A bobcats tail is short and bob-like, while mountain lions have long, curving tails that can grow up to 3 feet. As far as the claim that mountain lions live in CT, as we address in the previous section, that has been debunked. Fight back. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. Collection. There have been no "confirmed" reports of mountain lions, AKA Puma concolor, in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. Bobcats are found across Connecticut, but even fully grown they are much smaller than what she was describing, only weighing between 18 and 35 pounds. The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut occurred in 2011. Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. A mountain lion in winter. A month after the cat was struck and killed, researchers confirmed it had traveled more than 1,500 miles from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Hawley said that the typical range of cougars like mountain lions is from west of the South Dakota area. Sometimes in our shock and excitement at seeing wildlife we see what we want to see. It had rained previously. His mentor, Aldo Leopold, a prominent wildlife biologist, also believed this, but felt if people learned about these populations, they would be hunted to extinction. In another version, its about habitat protection and the onerous federal regulations the state would have to follow if we found a mountain lion within the state. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. I frankly have lost faith in some government institutions for this very reason. Are There a Lot of Spiders in Connecticut? Mountain lions are solitary animals, traveling alone except during mating season or when a female is supporting young. While there is currently not much safety training being done in the state for the extinct animal, Betty predicts that cougar safety will eventually be as common in New England as it is in California. The nearest known populations of mountain lions are in Wyoming, Colorado, North . Also known as cougars, panthers or pumas, mountain lions range in color from tan to grey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Thats only a fraction of the supposed sightings. Mountain lion Over 7 ft in length Over 100 lbs Uniform tan color Long tails Bobcat Under 3ft in length Under 50lbs Dark spots Tufts of fur in ears These 2 big cats also behave differently. However, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEE. We dont have extra money to do secret projects, he says. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. Ive been doing this for 40 years. But further inspection revealed it was a very large coyote. In yet another variant, DEEP is said to be helicoptering mountain lions in to help control the deer population. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. 2. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. He published his first book in 1959, The Ghost of North America: The Story of the Eastern Panther. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons. The only types of lynx that are indigenous to New England are the Canada Lynx and the Lynx rufus (bobcat). These sightings have not been confirmed as true mountain lion sightings. Bobcats dont shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. 75-170 pounds. Mountain Lions:They can have similar coloring and their tails can look alike, which has lead to some house cats being mistaken for them, even though mountain lions are much, much bigger. Bobcats: Though technically a type of lynx, they are distinct from other species of lynx such as the Canadian lynx. While Betty had plenty of evidence to support a mountain lion population, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection still lists the mountain lion as extinct under the Endangered Species Act. He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press. Hawley: Yeah. All rights reserved. Re (1): Mountain Lion sighting in Brookfield ct - By russ January 30, 2016 at 05:10:25 PM. But its also a great story that lays out how an animal this large, at 150 pounds, traveling through even rural areas, leaves signs and is detected. Five summers ago, a mountain lion made regional headlines after it was photographed in Greenwich and later struck and killed by a motor vehicle on the parkway in Milforda young male that DEEP officials determined through DNA evidence had traveled east all the way from South Dakota. 6. I always hold out the possibility of a sighting to be genuine, but at the same time, over decades of experience, we know that the vast majority are misidentifications and a small number are actually hoaxes, he says. Anyone can get fooled. Betty, who has had a dozen personal sightings in Rhode Island, studies mountain lion evidence and attends national conventions. South Windsor resident Stafford King is sure that he saw a cougar on his land three years ago. Weight: 70-170 lbs. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. Due to mountain lions large size, they require larger meals. Give today. (https://wildlifeinformer.com/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-mountain-lion/). Bobcats: They are are the only wild cat found in the state and the most common in North America. 3. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference. Have you seen a puma or bobcat in your neighborhood? Technical Discussion: Rain tonight, then an *ALERT* heading into the weekend! Sighting of this animal also occurred in Michigan and New York. Woodbridge police shared tips for if you encounter a big cat: On Friday July 8, 2022 there was a few reported Mountain Lion sightings the last few days one actually involving an encounter with ones family in their lawn. to scare it off. Many people do not realize how large a grown Bobcat is. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. Pepper spray has also been proven as an effective weapon against the animal. "I was hoping for tracks after the rain, but the area was not conducive for it," Halm said. Im always amazed at the sheer volume of people who are interested in cougars, more even than wolves, she says. However, Hawley noted that Eastern bobcats tend to have very few spots compared to bobcats that are out west or even in the Midwest. If they have spots, they are typically in the white, underside part of the bodies or on the insides of their legs. It had rained previously. The states beautiful wilderness and mountainous terrain are prime mountain lion habitats. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Almost every state has some sort of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he says. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Canton and Simsbury have also had about 70 sightings. The Canada Lynxs geographic territory in New England only extends as far south as northern New Hampshire and parts of Maine, though. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. Copyright 2022 WFSB. You can highlight your store locations with custom colors and elements. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal . What we do not have is a secure predator corridor.. According to wildlife biologist Jason Hawley, the lack of evidence of mountain lions in Connecticut is the evidence. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. While other states have their Bigfoot and sea monster sightings, in Connecticut, and throughout much of the Northeast, we see mountain lions even when were told such sightings are unlikely, if not outright impossible. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey.