Betty, who has had a dozen personal sightings in Rhode Island, studies mountain lion evidence and attends national conventions. In 2011, a young male lion walked 1500 miles from South Dakota to Connecticut, where he was hit and killed on the parkway in Milford. 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Mountain lions have been dispersing away from these population areas, and researchers recently mapped all confirmed mountain lion observations from 1990-2008 (LaRue et al. While he might feel like that well known movie character who was doubted at first, Bachelder is confident it was a cougar. Even so, Abbott has heard of mountain lion sightings from what he deems reliable sources and believes its possible that other animals have made the difficult, some say almost miraculous trek, from the West to Connecticut. listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal . We have had five coyotes crossing through our yard in the past few weeks, and one even lingers around our property and the neighbors. My wife is not a wildlife expert, but is not prone to flights of fancy. According to one internet source, there are 3 types of wild cats that can be found in Connecticut mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. Sport hunting for cougars is not sustainable and shouldnt be allowed to go on. Over time, this will help us evaluate problem areas, movement barriers for wildlife, and potential for human-puma conflict. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. Weve got a growing bear population. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. He also quoted the work of geneticist Melanie Culver, who has proven that all North American puma species are genetically virtually identical. But recent expert-confirmed sightingswhich have involved photographs, videos, and DNAin Tennessee support a theory that mountain lions, whose populations out west have continued to expand, are slowly making their way back to this side of the country. 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. Do Not Approach! 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.. 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.. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. 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. Since then, there have been no confirmed cases here, with the state saying: People very often mistake bobcats for mountain lions. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. Mountain Lions are the largest predators currently in Rocky Mountain National Park. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. A quick Google search reveals that the theory is not limited to Connecticut and similar tales are told throughout the Northeast. Another important difference: bobcats are found in Connecticut while mountain lions are not. Or at least theyre not supposed to be. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. Hawley said the last confirmed mountain lion sighting in the state was one that was killed on the Merritt Parkway in 2011 when a car struck the animal near Exit 55. By, March 2023 Fund Drive Rules and Regulations, Persons with disabilities who need assistance accessing NHPR's FCC public files, please contact us at publicfile@nhpr.org. Here are the Winter Storm Anthony snowfall totals so far, Melting Pot restaurant in Darien closes down. Betty, however, said that the sheer number of sightings and evidence substantiates a native population of cougars. Description. Mountain lions also have tails that can grow up to 3 feet. Explore the most popular trails in my list Mountain lion sightings with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Even in parts of the country where there are documented breeding populations of mountain lions, there are still many false reports. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. Hey, I know what I saw. This is a carousel. Almost every state has some sort of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he says. The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut occurred in 2011. Arms over your head, with a jacket or sweatshirt. So theres fresh mud. More recently, unexplained animal sightings in Connecticut and other states became more and more associated with mountain lions. 4 . Most mountain lion sightings are reported without any evidence other than eyewitness descriptions. Bachelder says he didnt have his phone on him, so he couldnt take a picture or video, but describes his backyard visitor just like what you see in the stock photo provided by the Woodbridge Police Department. Were getting more and more home entries every 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. Weve got a growing bear population. Tolland resident Loren Gerber said that he and his wife have both seen cougars in the area. The arrival of a real mountain lion in the state reframed the discussion in Connecticut surrounding the animal. On June 11, 2011, in Milford, CT, a mountain lion was killed by a motor vehicle. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it,. to scare it off. 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. Top Speed: 50 mph. Im watching it, its big, its got the body, and the thing that really gave it away was the tail, had that mountain lion long tail that goes down to the ground and comes up at the end, saw that and was like, thats a freaking mountain lion.. As far as the claim that mountain lions live in CT, as we address in the previous section, that has been debunked. 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. The more everyone knows and understands, the better it is for us all.. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. We dont have extra money to do secret projects, he says. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. Hawley said that the typical range of cougars like mountain lions is from west of the South Dakota area. 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. For over 30 years the CT DEEP has been tracking reported sightings and maintain it has never observed or found proof that mountain lions are still here in the state. 105 of 119 106 of 119 A dead mountain lion, killed on the Merritt Parkway in Milford in June 2011. Make noise. But further inspection revealed it was a very large coyote. That said there have been numerous sightings of them over the years. Speaker Bill Betty presented evidence and proposed theories that could prove that Connecticut, including, is home to a native population of Eastern mountain lions. We get a lot of pictures sent to us, and people say, I took this picture of a mountain lion in my backyard. And Ill look at it, and to me, its clearly a bobcat, Hawley said. Were getting more and more home entries every year. Canton and Simsbury have also had about 70 sightings. Mountain lions were hunted to extinction near the end of the 19th century. Dont Run. She adds, I think its because a lot of people are fascinated by wild cats; they are the embodiment of the wild.. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. Emaileditor@connecticutmag.com, or contact usonFacebook@connecticutmagazine orTwitter@connecticutmag. Adult males may be more than 8 feet long (from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail), and can weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. From Litchfield County, can confirm. Sign up for our newsletterto get the latest and greatest content fromConnecticut Magazinedelivered right to your inbox. Be mindful of small pets and small children. Another mountain lion was killed on a Connecticut highway. of Energy and Environmental Protection. Fight back. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. Your support makes this news available to everyone. South Windsor resident Stafford King is sure that he saw a cougar on his land three years ago. Roadkills can be reported to 860-424-3011. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. @Edward Case, Especially when pictures are blurry which happens a lot in trail cameras or youll get pictures taken at night or something on Ring cameras that hind leg really does often look like a tail kind of curling up behind the animal.. We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. 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. Dashboard for displaying mountain lion reports to the public. 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. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. He published his first book in 1959, The Ghost of North America: The Story of the Eastern Panther. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, mountain lions became extinct in Connecticut in the 1800s, and bobcats are the only large wild cats found in the state. You cansubscribe here, orfind the current issue on sale here. Ive lived here 23 years, Ive seen coyotes, Ive seen bobcats, Ive seen foxes, everything else, never seen anything like this before, said Bachelder. Idaho Fish and Game officers and personnel responded to . Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. Theres also the lack of visual evidence, more glaring each passing year as so many hikers and hunters now carry phones with cameras. COMPARED TO A HOUSE CAT Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. They are very bold. What would motivate DEEP officials to do this isnt clear. The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. Watch Live at 7:00 PM: The U.S. and the Holocaust, a film by Ken Burns | Screening & Panel Discussion . Rego has many reasons why a conspiracy to conceal mountain lions by his colleagues at DEEP is impossible. Posted on Published: November 4, 2022- Last updated: December 28, 2022. 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 a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. 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. The journey is chronicled in the 2016 book Heart of a Lion: A Lone Cats Walk Across America by William Stolzenburg. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. The big cat. Anyone can get fooled. Betty recommended that anyone who encounters a cougar should make themselves large, raise their hands and yell. Mountain Lions: Large tan cats with a distinctive two to three-foot curving tail, that can almost touch the ground as they walk. Initially, officials believed it had been released from a private handler. 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My buddy told me he saw one in our hometown (in litchfield county) 10 or so years ago and I called bullshit. Eastern Cougar Sightings Mountain Lions in New York. 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. Breweries in New Haven, CT you MUST Visit! 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. 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This mountain lion was documented by DNA samples from Minnesota and Wisconsin between December 2009 and early 2010. According to Jason Hawley, a wildlife biologist for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Wildlife Division, the department gets around 100 sighting reports of mountain lions each year, but upon further investigation, a good proportion of the sightings end up being bobcats. Okay, if thats what you say, what can I tell you. Booth DEEP and local authorities around Connecticut have confirmed that the majority of mountain lion sightings in the state turn out to be sightings of bobcats. An adult male bobcat can reach four feet in length and 35 to 40 pounds. DEEP says Connecticut does not have a mountain lion population. It is the only confirmed presence of a cougar in recent years. 4:30 PM. And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the . Connecticut Public Radio | Height at shoulder: 25-30 in. I saw one cross the rd ( rt 63) in Wtn @ 5 yrs ago, @Craig, Hes even had his own false sighting. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. Mountain Lion Sightings in CT. Was the animal a pet set free? The Damned Story: Eastern mountain lions, or pumas or cougars, were last officially seen in Connecticut near the end of the 19th century. Mountain Lions: Large tan cats with a distinctive two to three-foot curving tail, that can almost touch the ground as they walk. 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. and last updated 8:18 AM, Jan 21, 2022. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. (https://wildlifeinformer.com/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-mountain-lion/). Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. They can be seen at any time of the day or night, but are most active at dawn and . Abbott believes it is possible that more mountain lions such as the one that was killed in Milford in 2011 could migrate here. Multiple people in North Stonington claim they've spotted a mountain lion roaming around. Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. Fv 27, 2023 . (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) Live Now All times eastern. After all, if one mountain lion had wandered here, didnt that mean that others could have? Police have a warning after there were multiple mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Bobcats top out at about 40 pounds (most are much lighter than that) and are only. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. Population estimates are thought to be around 20 individuals which is considered caring capacity based on the amount of land and . As I said previously, However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. However, because they are capable of traveling great distances, they have turned up in all parts of North Dakota. While there is currently not much safety training being done in the state for the extinct animal, Betty predicts that cougar safety will eventually be as common in New England as it is in California. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. And there are different schools of thought about that. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Im always amazed at the sheer volume of people who are interested in cougars, more even than wolves, she says. The whole trail is very . of Energy & Environmental Protection. This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Publics Members Meanwhile, a family in Redwood City has shared footage of a big cat seen recently in However, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEE. Seeing a wild cat can be both frightening and exciting, and its common for people to make mistakes in identification, as all most people are used to seeing is the common housecat. 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. "I was hoping for tracks after the rain, but the area was not conducive for it," Halm said. 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.. 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. ', 'Saturday Night Live' skit with Woody Harrelson takes place at Naval Submarine Base New London, Bo Hickey, former New Canaan hockey, football coach and NFL player, has died. These hangers include safety tips about living with mountain lions, and what to do if people observe or encounter one. According to wildlife biologist Jason Hawley, the lack of evidence of mountain lions in Connecticut is the evidence. Beautiful trail! For more information on cougars in Connecticut, visit theCougars of the Valley siteor theConnecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. . Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. WOODBRIDGE Police are offering tips after they said there have been several mountain lion sightings in town. Coyotes have been mistaken for mountain lions. Jan. 6, 2016 Updated: Jan. 6, . Hawley, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, says data dont support a breeding population of mountain lions in Connecticut. They are also known as pumas, cougars and panthers. When it comes to mountain lions, (also called cougars, pumas, or panthers) is there really a chance you will come across one in the wild, or will you need to visit a zoo to see one of these magnificent animals in real life? They vary in size and weight, with males reaching up to 200 pounds and eight feet in length (one-third of their length is the tail). In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. Are there any mountain lions in CT? The Division also collects carcasses of road-killed bobcats as part of the study. In another version, its about habitat protection and the onerous federal regulations the state would have to follow if we found a mountain lion within the state. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. For decades, wildlife experts should have been seeing occasional scat and paw prints in the winter. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. He published his first book in 1959, 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, In the 1950s, the 'Mad Dog murders' terrorized Connecticut, Connecticut Magazine: Best restaurants for dessert for 2023, Connecticut Magazine: CT's best brunch spots for 2023, Meet rising hip-hop star and CT native Felly, Connecticut Magazine: Best vegetarian, vegan restaurants for 2023, Save money by electrifying your homes systems, Stratford's Allan Dias and his brush with rock 'n' roll fame, Review: Hachiroku in New Haven is a slice of Japanese heaven, Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly coached team. Inevitably, the New England states will acknowledge that they have some mountain lions.. Make yourself BIG. Running joke in the family when we see one is "But of course it wasn't a Mountain Lion, because there are no Mountain Lions in CT". Connecticut Dept. Mostly shaded. Betty later showed maps covered with dots, each of which represented sightings of mountain lions in Connecticut and the rest of New England. 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. Heres what to know about mountain lions (and other large cats) in Connecticut. Mountain Lions in the State of Texas In Texas, it's always open season on mountain lions. A fourth cougar sighting in recent days was reported near the New Canaan border Thursday, according to Animal Control officer Allyson Halm. (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 . So its this gathering storm. Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. Email editor@connecticutmag.com. There are no mountain lions in Connecticut, so why do we keep seeing them? Give it space to turn around without feeling threatened to get away from you and your family. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Weight: 70-170 lbs. And even the home entries are kind of changing. A harvest is kind of twofold. Report a new sighting Sightings List 1 2 From family fun to restaurants and everything in between, everything you need to know about CT is right here. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Betty displayed several maps of Maine and New Hampshire, demonstrating the trend. , movement barriers for wildlife, and potential for human-puma conflict still false..., each of which represented sightings mountain lion sightings in ct map mountain lions in the 2016 book heart of a mountain lion since... Harvest here in Connecticut in more than 100 years turn around without threatened... 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