Who knows? Mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the opposite side of Pennsylvania a year ago, Is it real? I regularly ask hunters and outdoors people if they've ever seen a mountain lion, or know of anyone that has. We hope you enjoy this foray into the most weird and wonderful our beloved Pocono Mountains have to offer. Murray also has a cross-eyed white tiger named Keisha, who crushed chicken bones with ease but delicately stepped into a metal pool to cool off. I had three cameras positioned, so had a cat visited, I'd have had it. And when our officers go out to investigate reports of mountain lions, or when our staff reviews photos that are sent to us, often we're able to verify some other animal mistakenly was reported as a mountain lion.". All of the above images are of bobcats. Among other uses, the tax was levied "for destroying wolves, foxes, heads and crows." Still, these resilient animals reside in secluded areas across the United States, with current data suggesting they may even be returning to their historical regions! What do I think of the Canon 1D Mark IV? In only one report had an official from the Pennsylvania Game Commision, a local warden, actually agree with the person reporting the sighting. Cougar vs Mountain Lion What Are the Differences? Like Rocky, Nia is declawed. Its fur is a light, tawny brown color which can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions. Where reports dating that far back from escapees? Although size can be difficult to determine in the field, a puma will be three or four times larger than a bobcat. The last of three glaciations covered 30% of Pennsylvania, including much of the Poconos, from around 20,000-10,000 B.C. Best hike for seeing waterfalls. With the Great Lakes in its way, the cat moved either north or south of the water, and the latter route would have seen it pass through at least some of Pennsylvania. Have all of those who have seen a puma really seen a bobcat? Interesting, too, are the reports I've heard from people who were told that they would be in big trouble if they shot a puma. It was decided that this shouldn't influence the decision and, in fact, an infusion of new genes produces a hybrid vigor, lessening the chance of in-breeding. The Pocono Mountains are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Yet, except for Florida, which has about 100 of them "Florida panthers"), no eastern state has a verifiable population of these large 100- to 200-pound cats that were extirpated 100 years ago. Asa Packer Mansion Jim Thorpe. Here's more about mountain lions in Pennsylvania: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All rights reserved. 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. No one needs to panic.". These powerful, majestic creatures once lived across much of the country but have since been killed or pushed out of most of it. While there have been no confirmed occurrences of mountain lions in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s, dozens . I've never seen or heard of a verified black puma anywhere, whether wild or captive, so I'd be inclined to dismiss reports of truly black big cats as misidentifications, even when a group of guys all see the same thing. The state of Texas is home to many mountain lion populations, but the numbers are incredibly hard to find. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, there are no wild, breeding cougar populations in this state anymore. On some investigations, Foster has teamed up with Stacey Griffiths, who started the Central PA Mountain Lion Sightings page earlier this year. The rounded ears, If we say it ain't so, it ain't so! Leslie estimated that the first humans making up the Paleo-Indians lived in the upper Delaware valley as early as 11,000 B.C. There are also big swaths of thick of forests in parts of the state. In captivity mountain, lions can live to be about 20 years old. This ideal habitat allows for a large population of 2,000 mountain lions to thrive. An escapee is also possible. The agency has declared extinct the eastern cougar, one of 11 subspecies ofmountain lions native to North America. More Questions about Pumas in Pennsylvania. The skeleton was reassembled at the State Museum, where it has been on display ever since. "We've been here 45 years and I've probably been told by people at least 100 times that they've seen a cougar or mountain lion," said owner Vince Hall. There are deserts, mountains, and swamps in the state of Utah, all of which are suitable for mountain lions. The Poconos is a mountain area in northeastern Pennsylvania.It is 2,400 square miles of wooded mountains and valleys full of beautiful lakes, rivers, forests and wildlife. What does a Mountain Lion look like on a game camera? The image in the Upper Left was from a Game Camera, sent to me by a friend. redo these pages to match the new web site But that's not Activities Milford Things To Do Hotels Map Of Activities Delaware Water Gap Hotels Bushkill Lake Harmony Hawley Skytop Tannersville Pocono Mountains Counties About the Poconos Pocono Mountains History Weather Area Services . The other three images are from my file, selected to most closely approximate the pose of the cat from the game camera. Some may also be kept illicitly as pets, which would quickly become a problem as the cat matures. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The claim of mountain lions on the move was bolstered in 2009 when one was killed by a car in Greenwich, Conn. A recent alleged sighting in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, had Facebook groups abuzz. A second image of the same cat, in a different light, reveals the trademark spots of a bobcat. 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! DCNR gave the following as examples: the saber-tooth cat; a small, three-toed horse; the Pleistocene beaver, and the mastodon. I think it is possible that recognizing the existence of pumas in the East could jeopardize this industry and an entire economy. Below is a list of physical characteristics that distinguish mountain lions from more . Mountain lions' canines are 3 to 4 inches long. An assessment list for Lower Smithfield Township in 1761 when it was part of Northampton County (Monroe having not yet been created) taxed "three pence per pound and shillings per head" laid on the land and inhabitants. (National Park Service). My friend was a former hunter and fisherman, and spent a lot of time in the woods, as did I, but neither of us had ever seen a coyote. Can so many people be so wrong? Although in captivity, they can live much longer. Recent post: Why Is It Called Beaver Stadium? Consider that the endangered Florida puma has mixed genes. 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. A tiny population of Florida cougars persists in the southeastern corner of the United States. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. A Game Commission vehicle was there, and the Fed Ex driver, after reaching the bottom of a long hill, turned back to check on what he saw. It was recorded in Minnesota and Wisconsin in late 2009 and early 2010, and then died in Connecticut in 2011. Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. All of the above are Mountain Lions, or Pumas, or Cougars. In August, Amy Walters said her 12-year-old son was spooked by a mountain lion in Forest County in northwest Pennsylvania while riding his dirt bike. Is there a Mountain Lion Conspiracy? A placard affixed to the fence outside Rocky's pen states that "cougars are solitary creatures and rarely seen by humans." There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. The large, undeveloped interior filled with rocky habitats perfect for mountain lions allows them to safely live and breed. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. Known as the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, there are four trails that lead to the cascades from the Bushkill Falls trailhead, each ranging in . 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. As you can see from the above images it is very difficult to confuse the two if you have a good view. Let's say the facts indicate that there have been a lot of 'pet' pumas, and many of these escaped. Colorado has a large number of mountain lions within its borders, mostly due to the high elk population, dense forests, and isolated mountain ranges. Phineas Teeple of Manchester Township is thought to have killed the last wolf in Wayne County. Knowing that pumas range widely, would my ridge be the only one closed? Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Some may be animals that dispersed into the region from western populations. I'm thinking of the solution often suggested for pesky endangered species out west, namely wolves and grizzly bears. 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. "They are very strong animals," she said. Conversely, an outdoor writer I know told me that when Pa. enacted a menagerie permit law years ago, 'a lot of mountain lions suddenly died,' as the owners of these cats, rather than going through the paperwork, simply released their pumas and claimed that they had died. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mountain lions (cougars, pumas, and more) are among the top predators that live in the United States. Bushkill Falls Trail. There isnt an official estimate on mountain lions in the state. Let's see a clear photo, or a carcass or something. However, my friend and I discussed this, and agreed, we saw what we saw, and had it been 40 years ago or four months ago, we knew we saw a coyote. In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. I don't believe someone's imagination could stretch a six inch long tail to three feet! The bones were found perfectly preserved. I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one game camera image that still looks very credible to me. If you see a puma (mountain lion-cougar), contact me. "I thought I had a sighting in the late '90s," Delaware Water Gap National Recreation park ranger Chris Kross said. The life cycle then repeats itself. Adults are a uniform tan or tawny in color, with a white or cream-colored chin, undersides and inner legs. 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. 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. Would that declaration close that ridge to hunting? Is there a correct position for the upright on a Wimberley actionhead? It is almost safe to say that the panther has in these parts become extinct, Goodrich wrote. There is a small breeding population in the state, despite being killed off in the 1920s. Currently, there are only 15 states that meet that qualification. There is also a small population of cougars in Florida. He also published a follow-up on Oct. 15 with the same mountain lion-deer hoax photo, as well as personal stories from several local residents who claim they've seen mountain lions in the Poconos. In books I've read critical or skeptical or down-right dismissive of the idea of pumas in the East, the argument has been advanced that the hopefull puma-dreamer/spotters arguing that the State needs to prove pumas don't exist does not mean that in the State not proving this means that pumas indeed do exist in this state. There are controlled hunting laws in the state of Oregon. Mountain lions can live in almost any habitat including forests, prairies, deserts, and swamps. In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. It seems unlikely, considering captives have never shown this trait, but people are reporting big black cats. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Over 1,100 people follow her page. A typical home range is around 150 square miles for adult males and 50 square miles for adult females in our region. I hope no one ever shoots a puma to prove their existence here, but I hope someone gets a great photo, of the cat, of a road-kill, of tracks, and that I see it. The story behind our new web site. The claim of mountain lions on the move was bolstered in 2009 when one was killed by a car in Greenwich, Conn. Check out our online field guide to read more in this series. Among those who have investigated the primeval times of the Pocono Plateau and Delaware River valleys and tributaries was the late Vernon Leslie, Ph.D., a Wayne County historian and archaeologist. Eyes are normal and are not light sensitive, and the over-all color, generally black, is usually not detrimental and may actually be of benefit. "From people that I trust have had visual sightings, they've seen mountain lions.". (570) 325-3229. Armand Martinelli isn't only the mayor of East Stroudsburg, he's also a hunter who is connected with plenty of people in the area. At the end of the last Ice Age, many animals in Pennsylvania died out. But even without that second look there was no question that we'd seen a coyote. If youve done any research on your own, you may have noticed that we didnt include a lot of states that have had cougar sightings, especially in the last few years. Murray has cared for four mountain lions since she took over the rescue in 1998. Mountain Lions - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service) NPS.gov Park Home Learn About the Park Nature Animals Mammals Mountain Lion Mountain Lion Last updated: May 4, 2018 Was this page helpful? Both were a threat to the farmer and family who carved a home in the ancient wilderness of the Poconos. However, recently I saw a photo of a melanistic bobcat, as black as could be, with bright yellow eyes. 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). Had this been faked, I'd suspect the hoaxter would try for a more authentic background. Mountain lions live in rescue centers like Murray's, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission said a dozen or so people are permitted to possess them. I regularly ask hunters and outdoors people if they've ever seen a mountain lion, or know of anyone that has. Where they always here as a relic population? I want to believe they're here, but I'm having some trouble. Only when I reviewed the images on my laptop did I discover that I had a mountain lion! 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. I haven't seen any reports like that.". do I get an immediate, 'Oh yeah!' 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, including in a reported Berks County sighting on January 8. 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. Goggling Eastern Puma brings up other web sites, however, with varying levels of professionalism or credibility. Ironically, I almost deleted the image, as on the small camera LCD monitor the cat was small and I thought that it was just another deer that moved along the stream. Penn State's Nittany Lion hide sampled for DNA sequencing, Mountain lion reports in Pennsylvania popular, but often a hoax, More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Some cats had a South American genetic profile. The next day, another friend, who works for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, called me to ask if I had seen the photo of a Pocono mountain lion with a deer in its jaws. Oregon has a large, stable breeding population of mountain lions. Although there was no evidence that the 2011 mountain lion ever set foot in Pennsylvania, DNA evidence confirmed that it had been both west and east of the state. Foster said mountain lions and bobcats could not breed. In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. The cat is known to live in the western U.S. and Florida, South America and Canada. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. I believe Kross fully, but I wanted to hear more. Many of those claiming to have encountered a cougar in Pennsylvania take that non-confirmation by the commission as an attack on their veracity and character. They know what they saw, regardless of what the facts say, and they know they saw a puma. You've got a mountain lion story or photo? (What is meant by "heads" is not clear.). Here, they've not been," Lau said in an e-mail. He also noted that if the cat was here, wouldn't they be reproducing and increasing in population by now? Good luck, and let me know! Mountain lions that are looking for new breeding areas are known as transient and are almost always males. Certainly it is a romantic notion, but I've always held out the hope that pumas still roamed the east.