A month after the cat was struck and killed, researchers confirmed it had traveled more than 1,500 miles from the Black Hills of South Dakota. He said that the conservation organization,Cougars of the Valley, has compiled 300 sightings in the Farmington Valley region of the state alone. And there are different schools of thought about that. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. And theres another school of thought, Well, no, there just are too many of them probably we have to reduce that population somehow. Where do you fall in that whole continuum? Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. Adult males typically weigh between 18 and 35 pounds and measure from 32 to 37 inches in length. 4. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. He drove me out to the spot. 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. The map from that publication is shown below, with the current mountain lion range in green and confirmed mountain lion locations as black dots. If needed, throw rocks, sticks, etc. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Emaileditor@connecticutmag.com, or contact usonFacebook@connecticutmagazine orTwitter@connecticutmag. If a young male Cougar disperses East, instead of West, they're going to keep walking because they're going tokeep looking for an area where they can find a mate, he said. This young male cougar was found to . Make yourself BIG. Have a question or comment? Theres also the lack of visual evidence, more glaring each passing year as so many hikers and hunters now carry phones with cameras. '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. Rego has many reasons why a conspiracy to conceal mountain lions by his colleagues at DEEP is impossible. The large cat was seen on Hoyt Farm Road not far from Route 123 near the Norwalk-New Canaan border. Ive lived here 23 years, Ive seen coyotes, Ive seen bobcats, Ive seen foxes, everything else, never seen anything like this before, said Bachelder. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. According to wildlife biologist Jason Hawley, the lack of evidence of mountain lions in Connecticut is the evidence. Were getting more and more home entries every year. 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. Two mountain lion sightings have been confirmed in Tennessee. 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. Hey, I know what I saw. Following the recent death of a mountain lion in Milford, and several reported. Breweries in New Haven, CT you MUST Visit! 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. The state says no, theyre extinct, that cant be. One on Salem Rd and another in. Theyll say, Hey, you can see in the picture that it has a long tail, and when I look at the picture, I say, I see how you would see that because they way these cats walk, theyll kind of stand and trail their rear leg. 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. 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. Email editor@connecticutmag.com. A bobcats tail is short and bob-like, while mountain lions have long, curving tails that can grow up to 3 feet. Bobcats, of course, can be found all over the state. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. The views expressed here are the author's own. Do Not Approach! Mountain Lions in the State of Texas In Texas, it's always open season on mountain lions. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it. However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. What we do not have is a secure predator corridor.. Eastern cougars (mountain lions) do not have a native, self sustaining population in New York State. Many, many times, in many different ways along its travel up through Minnesota, Michigan and to Canada, down through New York, through hair samples, blood samples, trail camera photos. Sighting of this animal also occurred in Michigan and New York. 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. Bachelder said he did a double take Friday evening when he looked out the back window of his home on Pease Road. 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. Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. Jan. 6, 2016 Updated: Jan. 6, . Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. The sightings havent been confirmed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and there are no videos or photos. Contrary to traditional thought, population studies have shown that mountain lions prefer rolling hills and more heavily developed areas to remote mountain regions. 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. My wife is not a wildlife expert, but is not prone to flights of fancy. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are Image credit: Wikimedia Commons. These tips include carrying safety equipment and walking . As a If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. From Litchfield County, can confirm. They are also known as . About two years ago in July 2020, there were around 1,500 reports of bobcat sightings in the state, with some bobcat sightings in Brookfield and Ridgefield that year. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. Mountain lion Over 7 ft in length Over 100 lbs Uniform tan color Long tails Bobcat Under 3ft in length Under 50lbs Dark spots Tufts of fur in ears These 2 big cats also behave differently. Sport hunting for cougars is not sustainable and shouldnt be allowed to go on. Were getting more and more home entries every year. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. As far as the claim that mountain lions live in CT, as we address in the previous section, that has been debunked. Mountain Lions: Large tan cats with a distinctive two to three-foot curving tail, that can almost touch the ground as they walk. No, there are no mountain lions in CT, and there havent been for quite some time. The Canada Lynxs geographic territory in New England only extends as far south as northern New Hampshire and parts of Maine, though. Hunters and property owners have also set up tens of thousands of trail cameras at various locations throughout the state. Beautiful trail! (UPDATE, JANUARY 19, 2022) The Great Falls Police Department said on Wednesday morning that the mountain lion that has been lurking around town for the last . Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Inevitably, the New England states will acknowledge that they have some mountain lions.. There also should have been evidence of animals killed by the predators and roadkill. A harvest is kind of twofold. DEEP sightings: Where the bears are in CT. Jim Shay. In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. Mistaken reports of mountain lions are most commonly bobcats. Re (3): Mountain Lion sighting in Brookfield ct - By weather01089 February 1, 2016 at 04:55:52 PM. Betty later showed maps covered with dots, each of which represented sightings of mountain lions in Connecticut and the rest of New England. McEnroe: It is an uphill challenge. Have a map downloaded. There was a sighting near the Brunswick School on June 5. 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. So its this gathering storm. According to DEEP the bobcat is the only confirmed species of wild cat in CT as of 2022. Females are typically smaller. When it comes out that there are mountain lions in Connecticut where all these people who denied them apologize to the people who know they saw them? When we lived in Suffield, we had MANY Mountain Lion sightings.probably 4-5 sightings (which qualifies as many to me) and they were definitely not Bobcats. I feel a little bit like Roy Scheider in Jaws, you know, youve got to shut down the beaches, he said. I think its good he attended, Gottier said of Littell. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) 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, . There are no mountain lions in Connecticut, so why do we keep seeing them? Bobcats typically have brown fur with a reddish tinge that is marked with black or brown spots or stripes, according to the National Zoo. Over time, this will help us evaluate problem areas, movement barriers for wildlife, and potential for human-puma conflict. and last updated 8:18 AM, Jan 21, 2022. Anyone can get fooled. Last week was no different, as various reports began trickling in of a mountain lion roaming around, in of all places, Greenwich, Conn. Almost daily, there are claims of mountain lion sightings in CT, though. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. Have you seen a puma or bobcat in your neighborhood? Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. 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. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. 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.. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal . For more information on cougars in Connecticut, visit theCougars of the Valley siteor theConnecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. 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's 8:02 p.m., according to the timestamp at the bottom of the image. Live Now All times eastern. Weve got a growing bear population. And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. Height at shoulder: 25-30 in. Since May 21, three other lion sightings were reported in the Chubbuck and Pocatello areas and one in Inkom. According to Hawley, if mountain lions were present in the state, there would be evidence and not just unconfirmed sightings. Mountain lion, cougar, puma, panther, painter, and catamount are all different names for the same animal ( Puma concolor ). Speaker Bill Betty presented evidence and proposed theories that could prove that Connecticut, including, is home to a native population of Eastern mountain lions. 3 Last 10 Years. 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 DEEP. 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. Officially, the last mountain lions were hunted to extinction here in the late 1800s. 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. Here are some things to keep in mind if you come across or see a big cat like a mountain lion: The sightings were reported to the state Dept. Betty, however, said that the sheer number of sightings and evidence substantiates a native population of cougars. They reside in all eight counties, however, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner of the state. Adult females typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds and measure from 28 to 32 inches in length. Since cougars are the second largest cat in North America and a natural predator, they can pose a threat. Posted on Published: November 4, 2022- Last updated: December 28, 2022. Habitat. And there are different schools of thought about that. Another important difference: bobcats are found in Connecticut while mountain lions are not. 6. The arrival of a real mountain lion in the state reframed the discussion in Connecticut surrounding the animal. Due to mountain lions large size, they require larger meals. 4:30 PM. Those are the two closest populations that we have here. 2012). These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. Ask people who spend time outside Connecticut cities and you will hear firsthand or secondhand accounts of mountain lions. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. It was a lion-like cat with a tan coat and no spots that was about three times the size of our 30- to 35-pound dog. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. Youll get the answer to this question in this article. Okay, if thats what you say, what can I tell you. Make noise. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. Although there are numerous reported sightings of mountain lions in Connecticut every year, the animals have actually been extinct in this state for more than a century. 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. Roadkills can be reported to 860-424-3011. I enjoy exploring CT and reporting back to my readers about fun things to do in Connecticut. Connecticut is cougar heaven, Betty said. Are There a Lot of Spiders in Connecticut? A lifelong Connecticut resident, Nicole has a degree in Communications from Fairfield University. That had to be a mountain lion. Mountain lions inhabit the badlands and Missouri River breaks regions of North Dakota. My first thought literally was, is that a lion?. Based on this blurry photo and pawprints, confirmed it was likely a mountain lion. According to the Connecticut DEEP, the bobcat is the only wild cat found in Connecticut. 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