If you ask me today, I'd say it's highly unlikely, with the exception of a released or escaped pet. A mountain lion named Rocky, at the East Coast Animal Rescue, Tuesday, September … But an image captured by one family's security camera last weekend certainly shows what looks to be a mountain lion. Pennsylvania enacted a bounty on mountain lions in 1807, and in 1874, the last known native mountain lion in PA was killed by Thomas Anson. Here's that story. First, some history about mountain lions in this region. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what we saw. The only native North American mountain lion species (Puma concolor) has long since been extirpated from the eastern United States, with the exception of a small population of Florida panthers whose genetic roots are a subject of debate. Mountain lion hunts are almost exclusively done with the use of a pack of hounds. However, I can still remember driving home (to Johnstown) with my parents on a major Pennsylvania highway in the middle of the night – only to be met by two, small mountain lion cubs, lounging in the middle of the road! The eastern cougar or puma or panther or mountain lion (just a small sampling of the cougar’s 40 English names) once lived from New Brunswick, Canada, south to the Carolinas and west to Illinois. The collision did not kill the big cat and the Arizona Department of Public Safety was called for assistance, which resulted in Officer Jason Ellico being dispatched and putting down the animal. Bigfoot, mystery mountain lions, UFOS all 'out there' in Pennsylvania, according to some. ", On the other hand, asked Chad Arment, a Lancaster County cryptozoology author and publisher, "Is there stuff out there that hasn't been discovered because no one's really looking for it?". The Puma Telegraph: Government taking a cougar count in eastern US: "The last known mountain lion killed in Pennsylvania was taken by a Potter County hunter in 1967, but the commission said that animal was an escaped pet and was not native.Killing an eastern cougar today would be a violation of the Endangered Species Act." The eastern cougars were unofficially deemed extinct by a U.S. ", Pointing to the huge amount of roadways crossing nearly all parts of Pennsylvania and yet never accounting for a documented mountain kill road-kill, he said, "Roads are a very effective way of sampling mountain lion populations. The state museum of pennsylvania in harrisburg displays a taxidermy mount of a mountain lion in glass case with the notation this lion found near hawk mountain in berks county around 1871. Anonymous I didn’t see a mountain lion but last summer a friend and I were fishing at twin lakes in Westmorland county and heard what I think was a cougar. 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A good friend of mine who lives in the eastern part of the state watched one walk along a road while being passed by a a school bus of all things, the driver and the kids on board saw it as well. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. KTNV-TV reports neighbors say the animal has been spotted more than once. 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 … Haven't seen anything like this before, so it's new.". However, I personally know of at least 5 different people that have seen them in the wilds of PA in Potter, Lycoming, Clinton and Sullivan counties since the 1980's. About 4-5 years ago.". They are Protected in Pennsylvania even though some people say they don't even exist here any more. So were elk, and likely moose and bison ad well. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluation in 2011. 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. That's not to say that there is not a mountain lion in the wild," he explains. 0. The cub was determined to be about 5 … In January, the U.S. Shoot it! The PA Game and Wildlife Commision deny the presence of Lions in PA despite multiple sightings. The last known mountain lion in Pennsylvania was killed in Berks County in 1874. Share. Hoaxes exacerbate the situation by spreading fabrications of tales of mountain lions in Pennsylvania. Hoaxes aside, some interesting - if unconfirmed - evidence of mountain lions in Pennsylvania has turned up in tracks and scat left by animals of some sort, and in photos and video from trail cams. Eastern cougar or eastern puma (Puma concolor couguar) refers to the extirpated population of cougars that live in northeastern North America, which some authorities have considered to be a subspecies. This lion was hit by a truck. But a mix of bounty hunting and heavy foresting killed or pushed out the population.So, if a wild mountain lion were to come into Pennsylvania, it would be coming from the west. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, feline predators such as the eastern cougar, which is also known as the mountain lion, are " extirpated," meaning they're all … Their conclusion: “Sir, you don’t have a mountain lion.” A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. Mountain lions were once widespread across North America, but their range shrunk dramatically as they were pursued through unregulated hunting and by farmers aiming to protect their livestock, and moved off the landscape by habitat fragmentation. All of the above are Mountain Lions, or Pumas, or Cougars. Then he took a closer look. What is the difference between a mountain lion and a bobcat? All rights reserved (About Us). Although it's not evidence that they do not exist, eastern mountain lions also account for more hoaxes than all the others combined. That's not to say that there is not a mountain lion in the wild," he explains. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. Have you seen a wild, free-roaming mountain lion in Pennsylvania? In this interview, we talk with eyewitnesses about hitting a cougar or Mountain Lion with a vehicle in 2017. Have you seen a mountain lion in or near Pennsylvania? Eastern mountain lion officially declared extinct; Are mountain lions on their way to Pennsylvania? Colorado Parks & Wildlife was able to capture and assess the cat. The Nittany Lion at State College wasn’t just created out of thin air.Eastern mountain lions lived in central Pennsylvania until the late 1800s, according to Foster. Depends on who you talk to, I … Deer, in turn, love to eat vegetation such as roses, chrysanthemums, and berries, so you should avoid planting these … A few "know-it-alls" on the site argued vehemently that there are no mountain lions in PA, because the game commission and some Penn State researchers say there are none. PennLive has investigated a documented, wild mountain lion that could have passed through Pennsylvania between early 2010 and summer 2011. The very sad news: there was a PGC ear tag on it. The U.S. "Also, pretty sure there is color variation in a bobcat’s fur color, so what I’m thinking is a good-sized, tawny colored bobcat.". I love the big cats and devote a huge amount of my field time photographing African lions, leopards, cheetahs, and in 2011, tigers. There are 103 across the state. 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. PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An instinct coiled way down in the human brain knows the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. Reports generally go uninvestigated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which discounts them as mistaken identities, illegal pets escaped or released and outright fabrications. 18 Posts Related to Black Mountain Lions In Pennsylvania. Eastern mountain lions lived in central Pennsylvania until the late 1800s, according to Foster. "Mountain Lions are much bigger. A report posted to the Facebook page Hunting Pennsylvania from at least the fourth time the cat was "killed in Pennsylvania," was typical of claims involving the photo. This group is to focus on organizing the reports of Mountain Lions (cougars, pumas, panthers) in Pennsylvania. That was a dead giveaway for Taylor. In one case out of Reading, a sighting of an apparent cheetah turned out to be an African serval that was likely bred and domesticated illegally. The Last Mountain Lion in Pennsylvania? Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Hoaxes exacerbate the situation by spreading fabrications of tales of mountain lions in Pennsylvania. They've been extinct in the eastern part of North America for more than a century. Mountain lions were absolutely native to PA. source. The same photo has been produced as "evidence" of dozens of other sightings in other eastern states. No evidence has ever been produced to support those charges. Claws 'N' Paws Animal Park in Lake Ariel has two. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser notes that his agency agrees with San Julian. A mountain lion, killed in Arizona in 2007, has been reported dozens of times as having been killed in Pennsylvania and other eastern states. Mountain Lions in the State of Pennsylvania. Sep 17, 2018 at 12:00 AM . The eastern mountain lion was one of 11 subspecies of mountain lion … Paws 'N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. Jun 28, 2018 - Explore Abby Albrecht's board "Mountain Lion Pictures" on Pinterest. LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Las Vegas neighborhood has been alerted that a mountain lion was seen in the area over the weekend. “'Nothing to see here folks, move along...'". The mountain lion's mother was nowhere in sight when crews arrived. We take 80-100 such calls a year." Keep journalists asking the hard questions. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). ", Scott Weidensaul, a Schuylkill County native with some familiarity with cryptozoological research among his credits, commented, "If you asked me 20 years ago, I'd have said no. "We definitely want to make it clear to sportsmen that they should not shoot a mountain lion if they see one just for the sake of obtaining proof of their existence in Pennsylvania." They wanted to hear from anyone who saw a mountain lion or signs of one, like tracks or scats. A bobcat gives you a warm, that-kind-of-looks-like-my-cat-but-slightly-bigger feeling. Black Mountain Lion … PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An instinct coiled way down in the human brain knows the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. The photo has been around since soon after Nov. 8, 2007, when the massive mountain lion - estimated to weigh more than 200 pounds and stretch more than seven feet in length - was hit by a pick-up truck on Highway 64 between Williams and Valle, Arizona. They came out and investigated. Officials with the Pennsylvania Game Commission told WHNT the cat in Clarks Summit could be a bobcat, though they tend to be more active at night. They haven't been in Pennsylvania in more than 100 years. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. "It's a political issue, as well as a zoological issue. PennLive has covered hoaxes involving that same mountain lion several times, beginning as early as July 21, 2008. Mountain lion hunts are almost exclusively done with the use of a pack of hounds. Possibly the most hoaxed mountain lion photo has surfaced a dozen or more times with claims of its sighting in various locations in Pennsylvania, including Clarks Valley in northern Dauphin County. Mountain Lion Reports. Let us know. - Mark Hart. Are there pumas, or mountain lions, in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic States? Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents have periodically reported big cat sightings to local police, prompting minor scares that can last a few days. One neighbor’s doorbell camera actually captured footage of the mountain lion Friday night. Pictures Of Mountain Lions In Texas. It was posted with the note, which is run here as it appeared, without grammatical correction: "Please post! 0. A. It was stuffed and is on display at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Game Commission officials say it's very unlikely it was a mountain lion. But a mix of bounty hunting and heavy foresting killed or pushed out the population. * I saw one drinking from a stream in the early 1960's in Brookville Pa … He said "relic populations" may have survived in remote areas and are now reclaiming the lands from which the species was killed off in the early 1900s as those lands are reforested and attract enlarged deer populations. Pennsylvania's last known wild eastern mountain lion was killed in Berks County in 1874. What you wouldn't expect to find here anymore is a mountain lion. Pennsylvania's last known wild eastern mountain lion was killed in Berks County in 1874. Black Mountain Lions In Pennsylvania. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included . However there are confirmed sightings, so it is likely the big cats do occasionally move through the state. Dan Taylor, a San Diego-based wildlife biologist who grew up in the Philadelphia area, told PhillyVoice he was initially thrown for a loop by the photo. Readers react: Mountain lion 'spottings' in Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley. Mountain lion found trapped inside California family's bathroom Authorities search for mountain lion that bit 8-year-old on the head EXCLUSIVE: Standoff between mountain lion, coyotes caught on camera West of state college by mill creek. All of the above images are of bobcats. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. "But we believe that the likely source is an illegally released animal." There are panthers still living in the Everglades of Florida. What you wouldn't expect to find here anymore is a mountain lion. Despite yearly reports of cougar sightings in Pennsylvania, the U.S. Paws 'N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. The vast majority of mountain lion sightings reported to the Arizona Game & Fish Department are from the Sabino Canyon area. Loren Coleman, director of the International Cryptozoological Museum, said he's seen the tracks and the claw marks left by the cats on sheep pens in Portland, Maine. Black Mountain Lions In Oklahoma. And, except for Florida, the eastern mountain lion is believed to have extricated from the east coast by 1900. Follow Michael & PhillyVoice on Twitter @mtanen88 | @thePhillyVoice Reply. I saw somewhere that the last recognized mountain lion killed in PA was in the mid 1800’s. Pennsylvania enacted a bounty on mountain lions in 1807, and in 1874, the last known native mountain lion in PA was killed by Thomas Anson. (Preferably while videotaping it) There is a $4000 bounty for a mountain lion carcass in PA. For those not following the debate, the PGC's official position is that there has not been a mountain lion in PA in more than 50 years. Coleman commented, "Pennsylvania is one of the better states" as a probable home to the mystery cats. Absolutely bobcat," Taylor said. Pics Of Baby Mountain Lions. Mountain lions have appeared in Pennsylvania in the past 75 years, but when they're captured, it's quickly determined they were formerly exotic pets or show animals. A mountain lion was captured a couple of months ago in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. April 6, 2014 by lyly. Subscribe to PennLive. 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. Reply. Have a news tip? He noted that he has seen "good footprint casts" or "mystery cats" in the eastern U.S. Fish and wildlife service officially declared the eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct which would seem to bolster the skeptics. The photo most often used by hoaxers shows Ellico posing with the mountain lion. I wonder if people actually saw a bobcat, LOL! And yet today the debate continues: Are there mountain lions in Pennsylvania? A second photo of the cat, though shaded, appears to show more of a splotchy coloration on the animal's front limb. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the subspecies officially extinct, and there are … The abundance of wildlife that thrives in Pennsylvania makes sightings of interesting animals fairly commonplace—bears, foxes, coywolves and elk are all within the realm of expectations. But many others believe the big cats, also known as cougars and pumas, are traveling into Pennsylvania from western states, leading to persistent alleged sightings. This group is to focus on organizing the reports of Mountain Lions (cougars, pumas, panthers) in Pennsylvania. And, except for Florida, the eastern mountain lion is believed to have extricated from the east coast by 1900. Pictures Of Mountain Lions Jumping. They came out and investigated. See more ideas about mountain lion, wild cats, animals wild. Would solve that problem if you just didn't have to worry about some lion snatching some kid. © 2021 WWB Holdings, LLC. Then I saw and was like, 'It could be a bobcat, possibly mountain lion,' " Nick Dodge said. These hunts can be very physical, from getting up early to ride in trucks, ATV’s, snowmobiles, horses or mules while looking for a fresh track, to following the chase, and then finally hiking to where the mountain lion is treed can take a toll on you. Not a little California cougar. May 31-June 5 large mountain lion observed and photographed in Greenwich. 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. Many of those claiming to have encountered a cougar in Pennsylvania take that non-confirmation by the commission as an attacked on their veracity and character. On a recent stifling morning in Adams County, the 290-pound mountain lion with perfect bone structure is ignoring the raw chicken breast and pork chops a handler tossed into his pen. Paws ‘N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. "The coloration and the shape of the head lean toward mountain lion (Felis concolor) but they have a tail that’s almost as long as their body, and this animal clearly is lacking a tail," Taylor said. That cat was known to have originated in the Blackun Hills of South Dakota; been recorded as it made its way through Minnesota and Wisconsin in late 2009 and early 2010, and then killed on a highway in Milford, Conn. on June 11, 2011. It was stuffed and is on display at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice A big cat spotted in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, has residents wondering whether it's a bobcat or some kind of mutant mountain lion. Mountain Lion killed by car in Pennsylvania - Indiana County 2017 - Part 1 - YouTube In this interview, we talk with eyewitnesses about hitting a cougar or Mountain Lion with a vehicle in 2017. Social media - most notably Facebook - has become a primary tool of … Their conclusion: “Sir, you don’t have a mountain lion.” A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion. Pennsylvania Game Commission officials say it's very unlikely it was a mountain lion. The U.S. Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania? An Amish farmer along 944 in Cumberland County complained to the PGC a mountain lion was killing his sheep. Save Share. He prefers to call them "mystery cats," rather than mountain lions, "until we identify what they are," but believes "there's certainly some kind of large cats in your state that haven't been identified yet." The mountain lion—also known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamount—is a large cat species native to the Americas. Mountain lions in Pennsylvania, and other eastern states, account for more reports of undiscovered animals than all the other cryptids put together. An adult male mountain lion in California. Local Sports News. PhillyVoice Staff, The coloration and the shape of the head lean toward mountain lion. >June 11, 2 more reports from Greenwich area. (AP FILE PHOTO) A … "You have a tremendous deer population and then you have an amazing amount of terrain" that holds habitat perfect for large cats. The eastern mountain lion was one of 11 subspecies of mountain lion native to North America. Mountain lions love to eat deer; therefore, you should attempt to deter deer from your property if you live in an area with mountain lions. This was the approach of the PGC until a farmer named Roger saw a mountain lion, along with several other people on his remote farm, during a large outdoor party -- a party which included a big roast pig barbeque, near the edge of a forest. The Dodge family in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, captured an … An Amish farmer along 944 in Cumberland County complained to the PGC a mountain lion was killing his sheep. Yes its true, I have family on the western side, they have pictures from the sheep pasture, positively a mountain lion, a big one (2009), we are talking golden panther size. The animal could not be a wild mountain lion, because "there are no wild mountain lions in Pennsylvania." Then there is Rocky. This page is for Mountain Lion sightings and for people who are interested in hearing the story’s about those sightings. Lion sightings they got. The Last Mountain Lion in Pennsylvania? But many others believe wild mountain lions are traveling from Western states, where as many as 30,000 could exist, and across the Midwest to Pennsylvania seeking new territory. It is not believed that there is currently any breeding population of mountain lions in the state of Illinois. It is possible numbers in Illinois could slowly increase if cougars in areas … "Who knows, could be a mutant. Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser notes that his agency agrees with San Julian. Social media - most notably Facebook - has become a primary tool of the hoaxers, who regularly misappropriate photos and videos of mountain lions in the western U.S. to support claims that those cats have been spotted much farther to the east. This group is for ration discussion for believers and non-believers alike. Have you seen a mountain lion in or near Pennsylvania? You read it here first: Mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania: Just prior to the start of Pennsylvania’s two-week firearms deer season, the volunteers at the Eastern Puma Research Network put out a call to hunters. 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. Mountain lions DO still reside in PA – and no one can convince me of otherwise since. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. "Absolutely bobcat," Taylor said. Paws 'N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. These hunts can be very physical, from getting up early to ride in trucks, ATV’s, snowmobiles, horses or mules while looking for a fresh track, to following the chase, and then finally hiking to where the mountain lion is treed can take a toll on you. "But we believe that the likely source is an illegally released animal." This group is for ration discussion for believers and non-believers alike. Big cats still roam parts of Pennsylvania. Michael Tanenbaum Mountain lion found trapped inside California family's bathroom Authorities search for mountain lion that bit 8-year-old on the head EXCLUSIVE: Standoff between mountain lion, coyotes caught on camera They shared the unusual sight with WHNT-News. A bobcat gives you a … "We do not believe that there are any wild, native, breeding cougar populations in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser explained the regulations: "The general public shouldn't be out there looking to kill any wildlife except what can be hunted during specified seasons," he says. Add Michael's RSS feed to your feed reader The debate over mountain lions in PA A number of alleged mountain lion sightings in PA has people debating on whether or not the western cat is … but they have a tail that’s almost as long as their body, and this animal clearly is lacking a tail," Taylor said. The Dodge family in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, captured an image of a big cat strolling behind the fence enclosing their yard and pool. They regularly join the camp of those angrily claiming the commission has introduced the big cats back into Pennsylvania as a control measure against the state's huge deer population. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. But an image captured by one family's security camera last weekend certainly shows what looks to be a mountain lion. He warned, "It's going to take a lot of evidence" to prove their existence. Game commission told them they did not release it, and called them liars until they showed them evidence, they still deny a release ,Farmers in his area were all raising Cain. We do need Mountain Lions in PA, especially in the suburbs where hunting isn't allowed and the deer population is out of control.