Be mindful of small pets and small children. I couldnt tell you how happy I would be if mountain lions were actually recolonizing the state of Connecticut, Hawley says, but its just not happening., Hawley spoke about bobcats, mountain lions and bears on The Colin McEnroe Show: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators.. Today, instead of focusing on cougar sightings in Eastern states, many cougar enthusiasts want to protect the animal from being hunted in the regions in which they are currently found. According to the Smithsonians National Zoo, bobcats are part of the lynx genus, which means they are related to other cats like the Canadian lynx, Iberian lynx and Eurasian lynx. These sightings have not been confirmed as true mountain lion sightings. Sometimes people feared fishers (erroneously attributing the blood-curdling screams of foxes to these hard-to-spot creatures), and in the late 1930s, after several animals were slain under strange circumstances in Glastonbury, the Hartford Courant dubbed the lion-like creature supposedly responsible, the Glawackus. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. Ask people who spend time outside Connecticut cities and you will hear firsthand or secondhand accounts of mountain lions. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. A fourth cougar sighting in recent days was reported near the New Canaan border Thursday, according to Animal Control officer Allyson Halm. When you look at a state like Connecticut, with all the people we have here, all the trail cameras we have in the woods, all the cars we have driving you can imagine if we had an established population here in Connecticut, we would know about it pretty quickly. The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut occurred in 2011. Have you seen a puma or bobcat in your neighborhood? Grandson of an old swamp Yankee, trapped, hunted , fished my whole life. Be as loud as you can paired with being as big as you can. Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. A harvest is kind of twofold. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. Those are the two closest populations that we have here. Mountain Lions can be found in Orange County throughout the Santa Ana Mountain Range down to the foothills and canyons directly connected to them. Somebody needs to take charge of this outfit and do something about the interactions with the citizenry. While the state says it was likely a bobcat, one of the people who reported the sighting says it was unlike anything hes ever seen before. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. These sightings are so persistent that there is a conspiracy theory that says DEEP officials know mountain lions are in the state but cover up their existence. Have a map downloaded. 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. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. Report a Moose Sighting Select the link above to report your sighting. We're not aware of any more confirmed mountain lion sightings other than the one that was hit by the car many years back. Contrary to traditional thought, population studies have shown that mountain lions prefer rolling hills and more heavily developed areas to remote mountain regions. They reside in all eight counties, however, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner of the state. "Mountain lions are considered extinct in the northeast." Bobcats are not uncommon in Connecticut, according to the state, although their population is limited throughout the state, with the. Sue Morse, the founder and science director of Keeping Track, a Vermont-based organization dedicated to protecting wildlife habitats, has studied mountain lions over her career as a naturalist, and says the majority of cougar sightings in the Northeast are misidentifications. The main habitat requirement for mountain lions is stalking cover to successfully hunt prey. In 2016, a woman reported seeing a mountain lion on a Fox Run Road property in New Canaan, though state officials said they were unable to confirm the sighting based on paw prints left by the animal. The Department of Environmental. Weve had coyotes misidentified. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. You can highlight your store locations with custom colors and elements. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. The nearest known populations of mountain lions are in Wyoming, Colorado, North . Canton and Simsbury have also had about 70 sightings. This young adult, male Mountain Lion was struck and killed by a SUV in Milford, Connecticut on June 11, 2012. He said that the conservation organization,Cougars of the Valley, has compiled 300 sightings in the Farmington Valley region of the state alone. According to authorities, the mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem Road and near Pease Road. Eastern cougars (mountain lions) do not have a native, self sustaining population in New York State. This can trigger a chase. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons. It says genetic testing revealed that a mountain lion hit by a car and killed on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford on June 11, 2011 originated from South Dakota and had traveled to Connecticut though Wisconsin and Minnesota a distance of around 1,800 miles a record distance for a land mammal. The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. Mountain Lions:100 all the way up to 200 pounds, Mountain Lions:Can grow up to 6 feet long. Instead, people should remain facing the cat and not turn their back on it, make noise and make themselves appear as large as possible by raising their arms over their heads with a jacket. But a high-profile sighting in 2011 stirred up renewed interest in the animals here, when a mountain lion from South Dakota was hit and killed by a car on a Connecticut highway. Mountain lion fur is unspotted and tan-brown . However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. Abbott believes it is possible that more mountain lions such as the one that was killed in Milford in 2011 could migrate here. Do not bend, squat, or sit down. You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. Bobcat sightings are not uncommon in Connecticut. Hi! 3. To answer these and other questions about sightings of mountain lions, I turned to DEEPs Rego, who has investigated many purported cougar sightings over the past three decades. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. 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. The upper mile is pretty overgrown in a pretty way. Its important to stand your ground and not run or hide. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. She adds, I think its because a lot of people are fascinated by wild cats; they are the embodiment of the wild.. So, now that youve got the answer on whether or not mountain lions can be found in CT, lets talk about which wild cats are more likely to be seen here. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. New London would be the last place I'd expect to see a mountain lion in CT. My sister is on 9 acres in Harwinton and watched a mountain lion cross the driveway which is about a quarter mile surrounded by woods and unpaved. Since cougars are the second largest cat in North America and a natural predator, they can pose a threat. 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. 4:30 PM. 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Since then, there have been no confirmed cases here, with the state saying: People very often mistake bobcats for mountain lions. One on Salem Rd and another in. According to wildlife biologist Jason Hawley, the lack of evidence of mountain lions in Connecticut is the evidence. 'Bo was a legend', Los Charros Cantina closes in Essex, will relocate to Branford, Elizabeth's Cafe in Madison to be razed for new restaurant, housing, CT fathers coaching daughters in girls basketball navigate life lessons at home and on the court, 5 CT companies hiring for 100 or more positions, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Kitchen Remodeling Companies in CT, The Best Bathroom Remodeling Companies in CT, recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, Video of fatal police shooting of CT man will not be released yet, Cannabis activists want more CT criminal cases dropped, expunged, CT DOT faces criticism following overnight tree-cutting, Haar: $1M in payouts approved, and CT still has a garbage crisis. Not long after, what was believed to be the same mountain lion was struck and killed on Route 15 in Milford. Im confident that we get occasional outlier animals.. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. Are there any mountain lions in CT? Mountain lions went extinct in Connecticut during the 1800s, but bobcats are still seen regularly. of Energy & Environmental Protection. The current editor of the publication, which is based in New Hampshire, explains why the job is worth sticking around. A quick Google search reveals that the theory is not limited to Connecticut and similar tales are told throughout the Northeast. The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. From sightings of wolves and moose to brown recluses and mountain lions, people in CT have made some wild (pun intended) claims about what animals theyve spotted. I frankly have lost faith in some government institutions for this very reason. Bobcats: Whiskered face and are gray in the winter and tan in the summer, with black spots on their fur that are not always visible. 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. Dont Run. "We have yet to see anything that suggests they're around here." Roadkills can be reported to 860-424-3011. South Windsor resident Stafford King is sure that he saw a cougar on his land three years ago. All rights reserved, Hunter Accused of Killing 2 Pet Dogs in Ridgefield Appears in Court, Avelo Says Airline Will Work to Improve Communication After NBC CT Responds Report, CCSU Student Dies After Being Found Unresponsive in Campus Dorm, I-95 South in Madison Reopens After Crash With Serious Injuries, Better Health: Dr. Katherine Rotker Discusses Vasectomy Procedure, NBC & Telemundo Connecticut Job Opportunities. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Mountain lions are commonly identified by trail camera photographs, tracks, and feces. Rego says that the way bobcats stride when they run, often times a rear leg is kicked up in the back and that could be mistaken for a long tail.. mountain lions in washington. The arrival of a real mountain lion in the state reframed the discussion in Connecticut surrounding the animal. They are also known as . Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal . Betty later showed maps covered with dots, each of which represented sightings of mountain lions in Connecticut and the rest of New England. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. Therefore, there are no western and eastern species to differentiate between. We have had five coyotes crossing through our yard in the past few weeks, and one even lingers around our property and the neighbors. Connecticut is cougar heaven, Betty said. We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. In the 1930s, Bruce Wright, an influential wildlife manager from New Brunswick, Canada, began gathering reports of sightings of mountain lions in the East and searching for their tracks. But that doesnt stop people from seeing them. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. 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. Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. He explains that we frequently overestimate the size of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid of. . While he might feel like that well known movie character who was doubted at first, Bachelder is confident it was a cougar. It was a flooded area. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) It had rained previously. It was a spotless cat she estimated at close to 100 pounds. People have been known to submit photos of real mountain lions taken in other states and claim they were taken in Connecticut. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. 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. 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. Even so, for decades, skeptics dismissed mountain lion sightings in Connecticut out of hand, pointing out that if the cats were here in anywhere close to the number of reported sightings, there would be DNA and physical evidence of their presence, not to mention photos and videos. More recently, unexplained animal sightings in Connecticut and other states became more and more associated with mountain lions. The only types of lynx that are indigenous to New England are the Canada Lynx and the Lynx rufus (bobcat). 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. She didnt claim to see the mountain lions long tail, but optical illusions can lead people to think theyve seen a tail. Mountain lions are about half the size of lions, but they can run up to 50 mph while lions can run only 37 mph. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. While recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, if someone suspects they encountered a mountain lion, they should not run away, as it might spur a chase. But honest misidentifications are more common. According to one internet source, there are 3 types of wild cats that can be found in Connecticut mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. There are an estimated 3,000 - 7,000 Mountain lions in Colorado. he recalls. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are 3 Last 10 Years. Sighting of this animal also occurred in Michigan and New York. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it,. Mountain lions are found in mountains, coniferous forests, grasslands, swamps, and dry scrublands. Mountain Lions in the State of Texas In Texas, it's always open season on mountain lions. The mountain lion is believed to have had an encounter with a family on their lawn. Coyotes have been mistaken for mountain lions. Last week was no different, as various reports began trickling in of a mountain lion roaming around, in of all places, Greenwich, Conn. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. 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. Also known as cougars, panthers or pumas, mountain lions range in color from tan to grey, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. 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. According to Hawley, if mountain lions were present in the state, there would be evidence and not just unconfirmed sightings. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. Here are some physical differences between mountain lions and bobcats: These 2 big cats also behave differently. The state explains any cougar evidence, such as the recent mountain lion, under one of three theories: a subspecies relic of the Eastern mountain lion; a Western cougar that migrated to the area; or an escaped or abandoned pet. Not really, Rego says. Pepper spray has also been proven as an effective weapon against the animal. The mountain lion is also known as cougar, panther, or puma. More recently, unexplained animal sightings in Connecticut and other states became more and more associated with mountain lions. TPWD Confirmed Mountain Lions. Facebook; Twitter; Email; Copy to clipboard. and last updated 8:18 AM, Jan 21, 2022. They are also known as pumas, cougars and panthers. In Florida, where mountain lions are known as panthers, dozens are killed each year by cars. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. Following the recent death of a mountain lion in Milford, and several reported. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. Bobcats: Though technically a type of lynx, they are distinct from other species of lynx such as the Canadian lynx. You cansubscribe here, orfind the current issue on sale here. So its this gathering storm. This young male cougar was found to . Or at least theyre not supposed to be. Bobcats top out at about 40 pounds (most are much lighter than that) and are only. A mountain lion in winter. We know that the closest established breeding population is in either the Everglades of Florida theres a small population down there and then out in South Dakota and Nebraska. Once at dusk driving in the Berkshires, he saw what he initially thought was a cat-like creature that was far bigger than a bobcat leap across the road. There is a big difference between Tuesday when none of us saw a moose in our region and then Thursday we did, Morse says. Your support makes this news available to everyone. 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. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. An attack on a 4-year-old near San Diego is just the latest in a string of mountain lion attacks in California. Top Speed: 50 mph. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. 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. Weight. Body length: 3-4 ft. Tail: 2.5-3 ft. Fv 27, 2023 . Register for a user account. He published his first book in 1959, The Ghost of North America: The Story of the Eastern Panther. A threat to livestock, they were hunted out of the state and driven to parts more wild. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal likely trekked more than 1,500 miles from South Dakota, a journey that was captured by trail camera (above). For decades, wildlife experts should have been seeing occasional scat and paw prints in the winter. Bobcats, of course, can be found all over the state. It had rained previously. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the . Height: 3 ft. Max. Another important difference: bobcats are found in Connecticut while mountain lions are not. Tandmlally@yahoo.com. Below is an evolving list of Connecticut natives and state prep school football players in the Class of 2023 who have signed letters of intent to play football in college. He drove me out to the spot. Adult males typically weigh between 18 and 35 pounds and measure from 32 to 37 inches in length. And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. Reports of mountain lion sitings in Matunuck and the Great Swamp Management Area date back to at least 2004, but have never been confirmed by state officials. My buddy told me he saw one in our hometown (in litchfield county) 10 or so years ago and I called bullshit. Theres something in human nature to overestimate the size of wild animals we see, especially if we get a brief glance and if the animal is moving. He adds, Bobcats can get pretty large and some people believe they should have pretty visible spots and very often theyre pretty uniform in color. This is especially true in the summer, when my wifes sighting occurred. 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 Milford a young male that DEEP officials determined through DNA evidence had traveled east all the way from South Dakota. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. Even though human persecution has driven them locally extinct in the eastern part of the state, Texas mountain lion hunting is allowed year-round with no bag limits. Mistaken reports of mountain lions are most commonly bobcats. Its a cool story with how far that animal walked. As unlikely as it sounds, it was a more believable theory than some of the alternatives, among them that the cat was evidence of a breeding population in the state that was being kept secret by, . Give it space to turn around without feeling threatened to get away from you and your family. They are named for their short (bobbed) tail which is often about six inches in length. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. Due to mountain lions large size, they require larger meals. 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. 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. Based on this blurry photo and pawprints, DEEP confirmed it was likely a mountain lion. However, because they are capable of traveling great distances, they have turned up in all parts of North Dakota. I enjoy exploring CT and reporting back to my readers about fun things to do in Connecticut. Give users the ability to create and share their own custom maps and use zoom, pinch, rotate, and tilt to explore maps in more detail. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. They can be seen at any time of the day or night, but are most active at dawn and . Rego has many reasons why a conspiracy to conceal mountain lions by his colleagues at DEEP is impossible. Hey, I know what I saw. Idaho Fish and Game officers and personnel responded to . 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. Want to post on Patch? A harvest is kind of twofold. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 Heres what to know about mountain lions (and other large cats) in Connecticut. Report a new sighting Sightings List 1 2 Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. It was found, though, that this particular big cat had traveled all the way from South Dakota a distance of 1,500 miles. Arms over your head, with a jacket or sweatshirt. Hes even had his own false sighting. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Police have a warning after there were multiple mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. On June 11, 2011, in Milford, CT, a mountain lion was killed by a motor vehicle. More sightings that Halm deemed credible came in 2018 from Nursery, Marvin Ridge and Briscoe Roads.. Halm noted that the route between the two recent sightings appears to be straight south. I saw one, not mistaken with a bobcat I know what bobcats look like. @Edward Case, The map from that publication is shown below, with the current mountain lion range in green and confirmed mountain lion locations as black dots. Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. Scientist, lack of evidence of mountain lions can be found in mountains, coniferous,. Pease Rd in our town animal walked need a harvest here in and! Of 1,500 miles differentiate between back long before our current era of fake news animal occurred. Was found, Though, that this particular big cat and try not turn... Also wrong animal Control officer Allyson Halm state, there mountain lion sightings in ct map no western and eastern to. 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