There are no known cougars in North Carolina, Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission told the Observer. There are so many recent sightings that a book about them got published in 1994. Yet, it still doesn't disperse the 'big cat mystery' that has been witnessed, and photographed throughout the state. A crown jewel of the east coast, the national seashore boasts sandy beaches, oceanfront views, lighthouses, and more. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long . Heres What the Data Says. Im not a mammalogist, so Im not going to try to play their role, but I think theyre all the same, Kocka said, adding that differentiating between subspecies may not always be a worthwhile effort. It started Saturday, when a chef in Morganton sheepishly admitted on a Facebook page devoted to Bigfoot research that he believes he saw a cougar -- also known as a mountain lion -- near the incorporated community of Nebo in western North Carolina. Fish and Wildlife Services declaration of extinction moot? Mountain lions thrive there due to the high. One such place is Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron. Pictured above, this photo began to circulate around North Carolina as an actual black panther/cougar sighting throughout the state. Charles Koehler, a Travelers Rest resident,was working in his garden last month when he heard a series of loud screams coming from the woods behind his house. Billy, we jumped one at Lake James one night on expedition, posted John Bruner. we would have stronger evidence if the large cats were still living in the state. Bill Stiver is the supervisory wildlife biologist at the national park. Get more stories delivered right to your email. What are the most well known parks in North Carolina? But the Eastern mountain lion, the official name of the species that once and some believestill does lived in North Carolina continues to capturethe imagination of many. They rarely come together outside of mating season. 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 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. For decades, the chances of coming across one of these big cats in an eastern state were slim to none, and much to the chagrin of residents like Marchibroda who have reported sightings, the U.S. The name "panther" is usually used to refer to melanistic leopards or jaguars. Last year the U.S. Mountain lions, which are also called cougars, pumas, and sometimes panthers, once roamed from coast to coast. As they get older, the cubs begin to leave the den and explore. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. However, it is not uncommon for them to eat smaller animals like coyotes, raccoons, and mice. The most common areas to see mountain lions in Arizona are in places of rocky and mountainous terrain. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Available here: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Mammals/Eastern-Cougar#:~:text=Cougars%20were%20extirpated%20from%20North,living%20anywhere%20in%20the%20state, Wrightsville Beach Magazine, Available here: https://wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com/return-of-the-cougar/. The sub-population in Florida is known as the Florida panther . So were assuming there are at least two different animals, one that was hit by an arrow and one that wasnt.. Mountain lions ( Puma concolor) are one of the largest cats in the Americas. The Midwest can offer two of the three, but the males dont have much luck repopulating the area on their own. So as far as anyone knows, there are no mountain lions in . Never approach a mountain lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. So these sightings have been confirmed, and there is in fact at least one mountain lion roaming around in Tennessee. But mountain lions dont get along well with roads, according to Perry. However, local residents disagree with the states official assessment. As a state known for its mountains, its no wonder that mountain lions live here! These are believable people, she said. There are so many incredible parks in the state, including a few . 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. Heres how they did. 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. Mountain lion populations struggle to outpace the high hunting limits. One of her biggest concerns about the recent declaration of extinction is that any cats in the area (whether western migrants or otherwise) and their habitats wouldnt be protected. The rocky habitat that covers much of the state is perfect for these ambush predators, especially since humans dont inhabit much of the land. The Golden State has one of the largest populations of mountain lions in the country. Scientists believe that the Eastern Cougar was extirpated from North Carolina during the late 1800s, or 1900 at the latest. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. Are There Mountain Lions In North Carolina? They also live in much of Canada. But SCNDR later concluded the animal was probably a black coyote. We have had a couple of cougars escape from captivity over the past 30 years or so, but they dont elude leaving evidence behind.. So will a new population of cougars render the U.S. 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. The largest animals in the park are elk. But the population decreased in the 1900s as wild lands were cleared for agriculture and game hunting increased. Most often, the sightings turn out to be other animals. These tendrils average around 30 feet, but can reach to 175 feet! And then my second thought was No, maybe not.. 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. By the 1960s, mountain lions dwindled in the western states but managed to survive into the 21st century. 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.. Female cougars will raise a litter of kittens up until the age of about 20 months, LaRue explained, and then the young cats are kind of kicked out and left on their own. The males, especially, are forced to disperse away from the family, partly to avoid inbreeding, and partly because male cougars are territorial and wont tolerate any other males in their domain. Their beige or tawny fur helps camouflage them in countless environments. TWRA has had their collective heads up their cloacas for a very long time in denial of these sitings [sic] and reports, reads a comment on a December 2015 article about the video footage. Currently, mountain lions seem to be making a comeback in regard to their historic range. For an outdoor enthusiast, North Carolina is pure paradise. There have also been several sightings at Clemson University over the years. They exclusively populated western states for decades, but according to LaRue, some shifts in hunting regulations began to change things about 50 years ago: lions were switched from the bounty hunter category to a game species managed by the states. Florida is the only state on the east coast with a breeding population of mountain lions. But she was familiar with (and disturbed by) the U.S. 2023 www.starnewsonline.com. Oregon has a large, stable breeding population of mountain lions. 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. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The cougars wandering far from their original homes in the West are, naturally, searching for three things: habitat, food and mates. For about 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that showed up in the midwest. The states diverse landscape, which boasts both mountains and coastlines, combined with a varying climate, means there is an array of wildlife in North Carolina some more dangerous than others. The Mauldin Police Department tried to capture the cat using a metal cage baited with a slab of beef donated by a local grocery store but quit after trying for several days. Mountain lions are not terribly picky about their environment. Im telling neighbors to be more aware of their surroundings when theyre walking their dogs around here.. At first, Koehler was concerned that it might be a woman or hiker in need of help. And that was nearly three decades ago. The state is home to several attractions that allow you to get close-up views of wildlife in North Carolina. He envisions calls from parents, too afraid to send their kids out to the bus stop knowing theres a mountain lion within miles of the area. Those cats were pets that escaped. The poison also causes a necrotic, or dead layer of skin, that can require surgery. "We get lots of reports every year from folks who think they've seen a. But for one to make it from the Southwest deserts to the mid-Atlantic mountains, Piedmont, or coastal areas is unlikely. Because of how they hunt, they need to basically be able to hide and creep up on their prey. 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. 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. Leopards, however, live in Africa and Asia. Most of the time we can find the original photo on the internet where it was taken out west or wherever. There would be road killed cougar carcasses showing up at least once a year if we had an established population,he said. She is passionate about writing and enjoys digging into new, unique topics. Well, then dont dress them up like sheep, he said with a chuckle. At some point in time over the last 100 years, a cat would have been hit by a car, shot by someone or otherwise documented coming into the state, Howard wrote. Just one single sting from a man-o-war is excruciatingly painful to a human. Marchibroda wasnt under any illusions that she could catch or in any way interact with the mountain lion she saw on her hike. Short answer: The last verified sighting of a cougar in North Carolina was more than a century ago. SCDNR has yet to receive a report of drivers hitting a mountain lion, said Butfiloski. The 9 Best Books About National Parks for Travelers, mountain lions seem to be making a comeback. But they also need places to hide as they stalk their prey. 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. Although the eastern cougar is extinct, there are still sightings of these cats across the state. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! 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. Some of the video evidence presented to the agency does show mountain lions. In 2012, LaRue and her colleague Dr. Clay Nielsen published a paper in the Journal of Wildlife Management analyzing 178 confirmed sightings between 1990 and 2008 throughout the Midwestern and Eastern states and parts of Canada. The female spider prefers to create her web in dark corners, tree stumps, woodpiles, and overgrown areas. As for what a new population of mountain lions would mean for nearby residents, education is crucial. 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. First is plenty of prey. In 2007, Katie Araujo, a Paris Mountain resident, said she came face to face with a large black cat while sitting on her front porch. 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.. The reintroduction of mountain lions into South Dakota is one of the great wins of modern conservation. When he isn't distracted by his backyard birdfeeder, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone around him about what he's recently learned. "It's not impossible," shesaid of a wandering male Florida panther reaching the Tar Heel State. One of her biggest concerns about the recent declaration of extinction is that any cats in the area (whether western migrants or otherwise) and their habitats wouldnt be protected. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, there are no mountain lions, or cougars, in North Carolina. Eerie nighttime photos from trail cameras and tales of mountain lions attacking hikers flood social media and news channels. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. 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. Know of any other deadly animals in North Carolina? After reading this, are you wondering, Are there any other deadly animals in North Carolina? The answer is YES! 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. Young male panthers have been known to travelas far north as Georgia in search of new territory and mates, but Owens said it's unlikely they could make it as far north as North Carolina. According to wildlife expert Ken Burton on the enature website, there are mountain lions in Western NC along the Smoky Mountains.Yes, usually in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Are there mountain lions in North Dakota? 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. They live in warm ocean waters, and travel in groups of up to 1,000. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The mountains are one thing. Greenville County, which requires residents to obtain a permit and undergo inspections, has issued 17 permits for exotic animals, including two tigers, since 2012, according to spokesman Bob Mihalic. I know Ill catch some flack for this, posted Billy Hensley on Saturday. |, Presented by TD Bank, TD SYNNEX & The YMCA, The People and Places That Helped Shape Greenville. And last year, Ben Tanner, a Ladys Island resident, captured video footage of what appears to be a large cat stalking a deer. Sadly, the hunting guidelines for cougars in Idaho are lax, with 400-600 cats being killed each year. About half of the state of Montana is ideal for mountain lions, primarily in her western and central regions. There was one outside of my sons school once and all the kids saw it. 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.. Black bears are a tad bit friendlier than say, a brown bear, but they still should not be 'messed' with. Frequently found in canals, streams, and rivers in the eastern region of the sate, alligators are a silent force to be feared. It was big and muscular. 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. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. Puma vs Mountain Lion: Is There a Difference? 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.. Numerous sightings, videos, and DNA. We Connect. Mountain lions were extirpated from Tennessee in the 1900s and North Carolina in the 1800s, which includes the Smoky Mountains. To an alligator, meat is meat, meaning, your leg could be considered dinner or dessert. 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. Butfiloski, however, believes black panther sightings are likely black coyotes, bears, bobcats, and other wild animals. It is a debate worth keeping an eye on. The populations are doing well enough in the west that when young males get old enough, they dont have anywhere to go, she said. According to Mammals of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- 1995 Update by Donald Linzey, published in the now-called Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science, the last mountain lion killed in the Great Smokies was inwinter1920. And they have some black accents. They have almost been killed off a few times, but conservation efforts have helped to keep their numbers stable. Most of their fur is a shade of beige, although some develop a darker reddish-orange color. Have some feedback for us? This is huge news for conservationists around the country and a sign that cougars may be heading east once again. 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