The last recorded escape occurred in 2003 when a 200-pound pet mountain lion named Rage broke free from his cage in Laurens County. Mountain lions that are looking for new breeding areas are known as transient and are almost always males. In 2003, eight residents from a Mauldin subdivision called police saying theyd seen a large black cat prowling around the woods behind their homes. And then my second thought was No, maybe not.. Because of how they hunt, they need to basically be able to hide and creep up on their prey. In 2007, a contract security officer called the universitys police department after he spotted what he thought looked like a mountain lion near the Calhoun Mansion. I really took offense to that.. But then I found some female mountain lion sounds, and it was dead on. With COVID relief money set to end, where should Charlotte renters in need go? While there are reported sightings of mountain lions every year in the Smoky Mountains, they are likely bobcats and none have been confirmed as actual cougars. Some actually believe mountain lion sightings in South Carolina can be attributed to the Florida panther, the only surviving subspecies of eastern cougar. The cougar - sometimes referred to as a mountain lion or puma - was found throughout most of Minnesota prior to European settlement, though never in large numbers. South Carolinas collection of exotic pets includes mountain lions, tigers, and other big cat species, according to Butfiloski. Mountain lions were extirpated from Tennessee in the 1900s and North Carolina in the 1800s, which includes the Smoky Mountains. Oklahoma: Confirmed sightings The state has documented cougar sightings, but there are no confirmed breeding areas. It was huge and had a tail 3 feet long. Some of the video evidence presented to the agency does show mountain lions. Never turn your back or crouch down. Most, if not all, wildlife experts and authorities believe black panther sightings are a result of misidentification. In many regions, the population within the state is actually increasing! They are so prevalent that many people believe there are more mountain lions than there really are. There are no known cougars in North Carolina, Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission told the Observer. But I will swear this to my grave: I have seen a cougar not once but twice in Nebo in the past month or so.. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The predator is a carnivore and a highly-skilled, elusive hunter. Fish and Wildlife Service removed eastern subspecies of cougars from the endangered species list last year and declared them extinct. The hunting policy of the state may be the cause of the dropping population, and pressure on the Fish and Game Commission has increased. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. Many wildlife experts and authorities are hoping that mountain lions will eventually migrate east from the Rocky Mountain states and repopulate the region. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. 'Sightings,' like pictured above are still reported. They mostly live in the far western Trans-Pecos region of the state, with about 50,000 to 80,000 acres of suitable land currently being used by the cat. They initially didnt want to admit that I saw one, and they were calling it a UFOan unidentified furry object. We get lots of reports every year from folks who think theyve seen a cougar. It had the exact cadence and shrillness of a females call when shes looking for a mate, he said. In fact, there have been 121 reports that are likely to have been true mountain lion sightings. According to LaRue and her research, lions recolonize by stepping stone dispersal, which essentially means they start traveling, find a nice habitat to set up shop for a little while, then move on to the next area with a suitable habitatand theyll do this for hundreds, even up to thousands of miles. Currently, mountain lions seem to be making a comeback in regard to their historic range. But Im not sure well ever see an established breeding population.. I guess a Florida panther could possibly roam into South Carolina, but Im not sure they would make it that far without getting hit by a car, said Butfiloski. They prefer larger prey like deer and elk. Western cougars, known as mountain lions, panthers, and pumas rarely expand their breeding habitats close to North Carolina. So as far as anyone knows, there are no mountain lions in . But the reportalso notes that 12 cougar sightings were reported in the national park between 1908-65, and another 31 between 1966-76. When I stood up, it ran, shetold Fox News. The highly endangered Florida panther, which is genetically distinct from the Eastern and Western mountain lion, is estimated to consist of 150-200 animals, almost all centered in southwestern Florida near Big Cypress National Preserveand Everglades National Park. Some people even claim SCDNR is covering up the presence of mountain lions. They are just incredibly elusive.. Mountain lions typically keep their distance from humans, he said. The smallest is the rare pygmy shrew - a . There are countless game and trail cameras out in the woods ofSouth Carolina at any given time, and nobody has photographed a large cat, yet these animals do show up on game camerasin states that have cougars, said Butfiloski, who believes the trail camera footage from Ladys Island shows a house cat. However, they werent able to provide evidence of the encounter. By the 1960s, mountain lions dwindled in the western states but managed to survive into the 21st century. Many biologists, myself included,would beexcited about the thoughtof finding a population of wild cougars in South Carolina.. Mountain lions are not terribly picky about their environment. Do Mountain Lions Attack Humans? 2023 www.starnewsonline.com. Although in captivity, they can live much longer. N.C. Wildlife Resources officials told the Charlotte Observer that Eastern Cougars are an extinct species of large cat that is now only found in part of Florida. There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. NC biologists posted a photo of one and its huge. During this time, male mountain lions will travel in search of females. And verified mountain lion photos and road kill carcasses are slowly but surely appearing in various states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as mountain lion, panther, painter, puma, and catamount, is the largest feline animal in North America. (Shooting a mountain lion is illegal in Tennessee, given that theres no hunting or trapping season for the animal, but Alan Peterson said the hunter didnt believe hed mortally wounded the animal, and the case has been turned over to a District Attorneys office to determine whether or not the hunter will be charged.). Hunting is legal in the state, but it is heavily controlled and restricted. Typically these occur on the end of the tail, edges of the ears, and around the snout and eyes. The man-of-war is commonly mistaken for jellyfish. Billy, we jumped one at Lake James one night on expedition, posted John Bruner. All rights reserved. Now, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission estimates that the population has reached at least a couple dozen. Adult females are smaller, averaging 80-90 lbs. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Association (TWRA) confirmed that the cat, which sniffed around on the ground and in a low-hanging tree branch before looking square into the camera with its mouth wide open, was in fact a mountain lion. The amount of area they need for their home range, the kinds of things they eat, their behaviorsall of that is really important to arm ourselves with so we have that information, LaRue said, adding that with that education comes the dispelling of myths. These cubs are born blind and helpless. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. And in the United States, the population diminished rapidly during the mid to late 1800s and into the early 1900s. In 2009, Jenkins responded to a call after several residents at Jasmine Cove apartment complex reported seeing a large cat in the surrounding woods. Is it a change in the regime their [sic]? According to Perry, western mountain lions have established breeding populations in South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota in the last 25 years. There has never been a confirmed or documented case of a melanistic mountain lion in the United States. Neighboring states also have an uptick in mountain lion sightings. Where are wolves in Minnesota? The largest, tipping the scales at nearly 700 pounds, is the elk, which was experimentally reintroduced to the park in 2001. Love North Carolina? In the subsequent photos weve gotten of cougars, there wasnt any evidence of any kind of wound or anything on it, Peterson said. Fish & Wildlife Resource declared the eastern cougar extinct, LaRue said. We Inform. The sub-population in Florida is known as the Florida panther . Koehler, for one, remains convinced at least one mountain lion inhabits these parts. With healthy populations and strong conservation programs, however, they seem to be pushing back east. The Golden State has one of the largest populations of mountain lions in the country. South Carolina can probably expect to see one in the next decade given the rate at which these lions are showing up east and north of their established ranges, said Perry. But I think many people are mistaking coyotes, bobcats, and other animals for mountain lions.. Since mountain lions are the top predators (unlike most other states with grizzly bears), they have a well-developed population. The Family Felidae contains a number of species, including jaguars, ocelots, mountain lions, bobcats, lynxes and domestic cats. Cougar vs Mountain Lion What Are the Differences? And no sightings were reported for nearly a century. Of course, shark attacks are nothing new to us, being made especially popular through television and film. Theres also the Joro, an. We are always working to improve this website for our users. Heres how they did. Sometimes, these cats get pushed very far away from where they were born.. "It's not impossible," shesaid of a wandering male Florida panther reaching the Tar Heel State. However, it is not uncommon for them to eat smaller animals like coyotes, raccoons, and mice. And shes not alone in that belief. The rocky habitat that covers much of the state is perfect for these ambush predators, especially since humans dont inhabit much of the land. But really, itll change peoples viewpoints at some point., Experts in Tennessee dont know exactly how many mountain lions are roaming the area, but they do know one thing for sure: at least one of them is a female. "We get lots of reports every year from folks who think they've seen a. In fact, somesay its already happening. . Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. Mountain lions (Puma concolor)are one of the largest cats in the Americas. There have been several reported sightings of mountain lions in Chatham County, however, there is no evidence, pictures or tracks of these available. Know someone from the Charlotte area who ran the Boston Marathon? Every year there were a few here and there.. Eastern cougars (Puma concolor cougar)are a subspecies of mountain lion and were the cats that roamed the state. More than a half-billion in federal money later, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will have to decide how or whether to sustain programs created to help struggling students. Last year, Ben Claes, owner of Jireh Property Services in Taylors, was cleaning a lawn down the street from Koehlers house after a snowstorm and noticed large tracks on the ground. A total of 65 mammal species live in the park. Ever encountered any dangerous wildlife in North Carolina? Born Free USA, a national wildlife conservation group, estimates there are up to 20,000 big cats owned privately across North America. The video appeared only weeks after the first ever sighting confirmed by the TWRA since its founding in 1974, when a trail cam in Obion County snapped a photo of what biologists suspected was a young male cougar. As for what a new population of mountain lions would mean for nearby residents, education is crucial. The mountains and isolated forests of the state allow these large cats to live their lives without encountering humans very often. Mountain lions ( Puma concolor) are one of the largest cats in the Americas. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. Their presence in North Carolina is often the result of strong easterly winds. Mountain Lions, or "Painters", as they were often called in the past, were fairly common in the N. C. mountains up until the 20th century. He told the Charlotte Observer he had gotten off from work in Morganton and was driving through Nebo near neighboring McDowell County when he saw what looked like a cougar jump across the road 75 yards in front of his vehicle. Keeps me up at night. How will CMS pay for programs with dwindling COVID relief money? Western cougars, known as mountain lions, panthers, and pumas rarely expand their breeding habitats close to North Carolina. One such place is Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. North Dakota: Confirmed sightings There are 20 to 30 confirmed sightings each year. Frequently found in canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region of the sate, alligators are a silent force to be feared. Im of the opinion that there really never was a big difference between the eastern cats and whats in existence now, she said. It hasnt been reported exactly how many man-o-war have washed up throughout the years, but, in one year alone, 20-30 were found on Corolla Beach. Historically, their range ran from the southern tip of Chile up to the northern edges of the Yukon. Those cats were pets that escaped. Many counties, including Spartanburg and Anderson, ban exotic pets. Mountain lions inhabit the badlands and Missouri River breaks regions of North Dakota. Females need to show up. As they get older, the cubs begin to leave the den and explore. The nearest confirmed established and breeding mountain lion populations are in the Black Hills of North and South Dakota and western Nebraska. While there is some doubt the cougar still exists south of the Canadian Maritime provinces, significant sightings occur in Tennessee and North and South Carolina . The 'terrifying' viewpoint of the shark takes on a dismal reality when the number of shark attacks is still somewhat low, but this does not mean that bites are not reported. As a state known for its mountains, its no wonder that mountain lions live here! Today, we are going to explore the 15 US states that have mountain lions, plus a few others that may have some. From a wildlife biology perspective, though, its going to take more than a storyno matter how convincing it may beto determine whether these cats are there and where theyre coming from. Then what? So, while the stories are fun and the legends are as old as our state, the legendary cat of the mountains and the swamps is just that, a legend.. I think many people just get excited when trail cameras or videos reveal an animal in the woods.. "People want to believe there are mysterious animals out there, and few animals captivate the imagination like the mythical Carolina panther does," she said. Pushed to the brink of North Carolina eradication in the early 20th century, alligators have slowly made their comeback along the coast. No other states have a confirmed breeding pouplation. Still, a wanting and desire to see a big cat back in the wild in North Carolina only goes so far, said Falyn Owens, a state wildlife biologist. Mountain lion populations struggle to outpace the high hunting limits. The cougars wandering far from their original homes in the West are, naturally, searching for three things: habitat, food and mates. "I never tell people that they didn't see what they think they saw," Stiversaid, noting that he's dealt with some crazy critters during his 30 years at the national park, including servals (a wild African cat), peacocks, emus, longhorn steers and even capuchin monkeys. "Mountain lions have been extinct in the wild in North Carolina since 1900, and what that means is that we don't have populations of mountain lions here," Birckhead said. They like rugged terrain with forest cover. Most people in the eastern U.S. havent ever seen a wild mountain lion or jaguar or leopard, said Butfiloski. Like a number of other people in her communitya hunter who caught the tail end of a cat on his deer cam and a Presbyterian minister in Batesville whose neighbor saw one drinking out of a pond, to name a coupleMarchibroda knows that she saw a mountain lion, and she wants state and national wildlife agencies to take these sightings seriously. We Connect. Koehler called several neighbors, but they couldnt explain the barking. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Thank you for reading! For years people have reported mountain lion sightings in the Valley, but, according to local DWR officials, they've been extinct in our area since 1882. Today a small population, estimated at around 200, of Florida panthers still reside in the state. North Carolina has a lot of snakes, six of those being venomous, but the cottonmouth is one of the most deadly animals in North Carolina. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is definitely one of those parks. The government again demonstrates its incompetence when it concludes there are no longer any mountain lions here, and to claim those that we hear and see (tracks and the animals) are from escaped pets is just nuts, there are hundreds of sightings in our area alone, even more in the Blue Ridge Mountains at large. But according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), there is no longer a residential population of mountain lions in the state. But she was familiar with (and disturbed by) the U.S. The current estimate is 2,000 - 2,700 throughout Arizona. All three are not naturally aggressive, but their potent venom plus elusive habitat are good reason to 'look' before stepping. Being in a residential neighborhood does nothing for a cougar.. We have had a couple of cougars escape from captivity over the past 30 years or so, but they dont elude leaving evidence behind.. Are there mountain lions in North Dakota? (Anyone remember a certain cobra on the loose in Raleigh this summer?) It was great, probably one of the most exciting experiences of my life, and I feel very fortunate.. The venom is more dangerous than a copperhead and can be fatal. The position of the Hallucigenia's head puzzled scientists for several years. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest remaining protected ecosystem east of the Rocky Mountains, and nearby regions havebeen a hotbed of reported cougar sightings over the decades. In captivity mountain, lions can live to be about 20 years old. Do not approach a lion. South Carolina's collection of exotic pets includes mountain lions, tigers, and other big cat species, according to Butfiloski. Even more unlikely is for the jaguar to make it that far to have the rare gene that causes it to be solid black,said Perry. There have also been several sightings at Clemson University over the years. Are Mountain Lions in Missouri Making a Comeback? But most of the purportedsightings turn out to be pictures of bobcats, house cats where gaugingthe size of the animal being photographed is difficult, or even hoaxes. Biologists from the agency investigate these reports, but most do not pan out. What I set out to do was figure out habitat stability and dispersal corridors into the midwest, said LaRue, a research assistant in the earth sciences department at the University of Minnesota who studies mountain lions. The Cascade Mountains are an important habitat for mountain lions in the region, and a stable population lives within the state. Commonly mistaken with other water-dwelling snakes, if you see one slithering near you in the waterswim away, and swim FAST! They live in warm ocean waters, and travel in groups of up to 1,000. Oh maybe some of the lazy hacks have finally retired., Another commenter speculated that the agency may have intentionally downplayed past sightings as they result in new study and staffing expenses.. I think its all the same.. Several species of shark are found off the coast of North Carolina. "But until we see actual evidence, we justcan't believe.". But that doesn't mean all hope islost in seeing big cats back in North Carolina. It was just those occurring within 40 miles of Wilmington. The 9 Best Books About National Parks for Travelers, mountain lions seem to be making a comeback. Most shark species that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean will, at some point, swim past the North Carolina coast, usually when waters are a bit warm. Other states have had sightings, especially as mountain lion populations begin to explore and look to expand. But shes also realistic. Have some feedback for us? Heres What the Data Says. But the thing about mountain lions is that females dont travel as far or as often, and when they disperse they dont go very far or very well.. According to those who claim they saw a mountain lion, yes, the number has increased. If you look closely enough, or have enough bright light, you can see spots amongst the dark fur. 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. But European colonization essentially extirpated the cats from about two thirds of their habitat in the U.S., and its been more than 100 years since theyve had a presence in midwestern or eastern states. South Carolina can probably expect to see one in the next decade given the rate at which these lions are showing up east and north of their established ranges, said Perry. It is important to keep your eye out for rattlesnakes when outside, especially when embarking on one of the many. Fortunately, a mountain lion hasnt escaped captivity for more than a decade in South Carolina,according to Butfiloski. But mountain lions dont get along well with roads, according to Perry. That might depend on who you ask, but LaRue, whos been studying mountain lions for more than a decade, isnt convinced that eastern cougars were ever any different from the western subspecies. We explore that question, along with a glimpse into mountain lion sightings, in the article below. Transient males have been sighted as far east as New York! Pictured above, this photo began to circulate around North Carolina as an actual black panther/cougar sighting throughout the state. Opened in 2010, the 60-acre zoo is home to over 400 animals, which visitors can admire from afar or interact with for an unforgettably wild experience. You will receive your first newsletter soon. They mostly live in the far western Trans-Pecos region of the state, where they can freely roam 50,000 to 80,000 acres of land. While not one to just up and 'bite,' accidental bites, such as putting on a shoe where one is hiding, or accidental contact, can lead to a fatal situation. Reasonably unassuming, alligators can become aggressive and defensive upon approach and are known to attack humans. Although this is great, there are a few things to consider. But recent expert-confirmed sightingswhich have involved photographs, videos, and DNAin Tennessee support a theory that mountain lions, whose populations out west have continued to expand, are slowly making their way back to this side of the country. The mountain lionalso known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamountis a large cat species native to the Americas. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. Utah is another state with a seemingly large population of mountain lions. Their thin, long tendrils are covered with a venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze fish and other small creatures. Today, they are rarely seen but occasionally do appear. Florida is the only state on the east coast with a breeding population of mountain lions. Long answer:They were once the fiercest predator in the Tar Heel state, ranging from the mountains to the coast as they hunted deer and other prey. Their size is a little hard to wrap your head around. Even with all these numerous sightings they still dug their heels in, and that was pretty frustrating, she said of the officials at agencies like the U.S. Still, reported sightings persist, as indicated by response to Billy Hensleys Facebook post. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Biologists and wildlife specialists speculate that cougars will reestablish themselves in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia within the next 25 to 50 years. Experts in Tennessee dont know exactly how many mountain lions are roaming the area, but they do know one thing for sure: at least one of them is a female. Leopards, however, live in Africa and Asia. Now there are less than 100 panthers surviving in the swamps of South Florida. And earlier this year, South Carolina passed a new law, effective next year, that makes it illegal to own a large wild cat, non-native bear or great ape.. Marchibroda wasnt under any illusions that she could catch or in any way interact with the mountain lion she saw on her hike. They swim with their heads above water, and are distinguished by a stripe along the side of their head. I actually drove out to the apartment and noticed some large tracks in the mud, said Jenkins, who didnt take photos of the tracks or file an official report. Peterson said he understands the excitement around the idea of crossing paths with a mountain lion, but nearly all of the photos and videos he receives are not what they seem. There are around 1,600 to 2,700 cougars in the state according to state officials and density estimates. Colorado has a large number of mountain lions within its borders, mostly due to the high elk population, dense forests, and isolated mountain ranges. According to Perry, the countys lack of pet mountain lions doesnt necessarily discount the sightings, because mountain lions can travel very long distances. He said it was highly unlikely, but possible that some people are actually seeing a western mountain lion or Florida panther thats managed to dodge traffic and travel to South Carolina. There are a lot of instances of someone trying to mess with us, or theyre messing with a buddy, and the buddy sends it to us thinking its real, he said. But it is footage of a mountain lion out west in its natural habitat, not in North Carolina. Brown recluses make their homes in shoes, old boxes, and in dark corners. They dont know that, theyre not genetically testing these animals.. However, it is pretty well accepted that there are no cougars living in the east currently.. They prefer larger prey like deer and elk. But hunting practices and habitat loss drastically reduced the overall population over the last few centuries. Do not crouch down or bend over. They happily roam in mountains, wetlands, deserts, and forests. They prefer habitats where its difficult for people to go, LaRue said. However, to help set the stage and offer some perspective, we first look at basic details about the large cat. I do not believe that South Carolina has a free-ranging wild cougar population, said Butfiloski. Jaguars and leopards, on the other hand, have a gene that occurs in six percent of the population that causes black cats. The first is the mating season which can occur during the late to early spring months. Then Europeans came to North Carolina and, in a themethat has been repeated around the globe, the state's top apex predator was deemed a threat to humans and livestock and exterminated. Weve received calls about mountain lions for years, said Butfiloski. We understand people in North Carolina arenot cougar experts, and were here to help people understand what theyre seeing, what is on their property," Owens said, adding that biologists would be just as excited as the public if one of these sightings turned out to be genuine. Whether they're called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, breeding population in the western U.S and, a ccording to both the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, transient western cougars have been spotted in both states since 2015. This is a study - in a video-essay format. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. Few large animals have generated more lore throughout North Carolina than the cougar. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. The city of Simpsonville has also received calls about mountain lions over the years, according to Colleen Jenkins, an animal code enforcement officer for the city. So other recent sightings may also be due to mountain lions escaping captivity. The responding officers later spotted the animal near Earle and Daniel halls, according to reports. An increasing number of North Carolina residents believe the Eastern Cougar has returned. Why do they believe it now? NC biologists are perplexed. SCDNR has yet to receive a report of drivers hitting a mountain lion, said Butfiloski. It has to be a good, clear photo, and we get all kinds of fuzzy stuff that could be a bobcat, could be a yellow lab, but its so far away or so fuzzy we cant tell..