The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. NOW - 4:30 PM. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. Emaileditor@connecticutmag.com, or contact usonFacebook@connecticutmagazine orTwitter@connecticutmag. The gate of a bobcat can often make it look like it has a long tail. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Adult males can be around 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, while adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. 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". And there are different schools of thought about that. Dashboard for displaying mountain lion reports to the public. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. COMPARED TO A HOUSE CAT Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. The Canada Lynxs geographic territory in New England only extends as far south as northern New Hampshire and parts of Maine, though. The journey is chronicled in the 2016 book, Abbott, of the Housatonic Valley Association, is equally skeptical of the vast majority of mountain lion sightings. Wait a minute--there was a sighting in New London County a few years back, and my wife read an article about a mountain lion or cougar being struck by a vehicle in Milford a few years back. 4:30 PM. Im always amazed at the sheer volume of people who are interested in cougars, more even than wolves, she says. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. It is also the most common wild cat found in North America. 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. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Bobcats, of course, can be found all over the state. Bobcats: Whiskered face and are gray in the winter and tan in the summer, with black spots on their fur that are not always visible. He points out that when there was a real mountain lion in the state in 2011, his office publicized it immediately. Residents of Greenwich, Conn., have reported seeing a mountain lion roaming the woods -- even though the species is extinct in the region, MyFoxNY.com reports. People have been known to submit photos of real mountain lions taken in other states and claim they were taken in Connecticut. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. McEnroe: It is an uphill challenge. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. 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. This young adult, male Mountain Lion was struck and killed by a SUV in Milford, Connecticut on June 11, 2012. 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. Make yourself big -- do not bend, squat or sit down. Fish and Game staff have distributed door hangers in neighborhoods the lion has been using. Mountain lions are about half the size of lions, but they can run up to 50 mph while lions can run only 37 mph. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. Re (2): Mountain Lion sighting in Brookfield ct - By Ryan January 31, 2016 at 11:16:51 PM. Didnt it? Uscinski, a Connecticut native, adds that the theory that the government is covering up the existence of mountain lions is likely motivated by a distrust of authority. Bobcats: They are are the only wild cat found in the state and the most common in North America. You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. But Bachelder stresses he knows what he saw. A fourth cougar sighting in recent days was reported near the New Canaan border Thursday, according to Animal Control officer Allyson Halm. What about mountain lions, though? I agreeI am a person with very good knowledge of animals and know the distinct differences between closely related species in some cases Hawley said that the typical range of cougars like mountain lions is from west of the South Dakota area. Beautiful clear day just like this, and there in my backyard I see this huge golden animal, walking through the yard, Bachelder said. The whole trail is very . He explains that we frequently overestimate the size of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid of. of Energy & Environmental Protection. They can be seen at any time of the day or night, but are most active at dawn and . While the state says it was likely a bobcat, one of the people who reported the sighting says it was unlike anything hes ever seen before. I feel a little bit like Roy Scheider in Jaws, you know, youve got to shut down the beaches, he said. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? When you look at a state like Connecticut, with all the people we have here, all the trail cameras we have in the woods, all the cars we have driving you can imagine if we had an established population here in Connecticut, we would know about it pretty quickly. The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. Bobcats typically have brown fur with a reddish tinge that is marked with black or brown spots or stripes, according to the National Zoo. Make noise. Have a question or comment? "We have yet to see anything that suggests they're around here." But further inspection revealed it was a very large coyote. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. As far as the claim that mountain lions live in CT, as we address in the previous section, that has been debunked. Here are the Winter Storm Anthony snowfall totals so far, Melting Pot restaurant in Darien closes down. Since cougars are the second largest cat in North America and a natural predator, they can pose a threat. (My wife didnt get a look at the tail.) 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. These sightings have not been confirmed as true mountain lion sightings. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. This can trigger a chase. Are There a Lot of Spiders in Connecticut? Mountain lions weigh 105 to 140 pounds and can be up to eight feet long from the nose to the tip of the tail. Report a Moose Sighting Select the link above to report your sighting. Also known as cougars, panthers or pumas, mountain lions range in color from tan to grey, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an, on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. Initially, officials believed it had been released from a private handler. 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. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. Last week was no different, as various reports began trickling in of a mountain lion roaming around, in of all places, Greenwich, Conn. Ask people who spend time outside Connecticut cities and you will hear firsthand or secondhand accounts of mountain lions. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. ', '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. Idaho Fish and Game officers and personnel responded to . Bobcats are found across Connecticut, but even fully grown they are much smaller than what she was describing, only weighing between 18 and 35 pounds. And there are different schools of thought about that. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. It is the only confirmed presence of a cougar in recent years. Betty recommended that anyone who encounters a cougar should make themselves large, raise their hands and yell. 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. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. Theres something in human nature to overestimate the size of wild animals we see, especially if we get a brief glance and if the animal is moving. He adds, Bobcats can get pretty large and some people believe they should have pretty visible spots and very often theyre pretty uniform in color. This is especially true in the summer, when my wifes sighting occurred. There have been no "confirmed" reports of mountain lions, AKA Puma concolor, in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. What we do not have is a secure predator corridor.. Mountain Lions can be found in Orange County throughout the Santa Ana Mountain Range down to the foothills and canyons directly connected to them. It used to be that a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home. Almost daily, there are claims of mountain lion sightings in CT, though. Fight back. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. New London would be the last place I'd expect to see a mountain lion in CT. My sister is on 9 acres in Harwinton and watched a mountain lion cross the driveway which is about a quarter mile surrounded by woods and unpaved. 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. 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. Sightings can be reported to the McCall Fish and Game office at 208-634-8137. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it,. He drove me out to the spot. Weve got a growing bear population. Typically, they will slink out of there as quickly as they can to get away from humans. Betty later showed maps covered with dots, each of which represented sightings of mountain lions in Connecticut and the rest of New England. Mountain Lion Sightings in CT. Was the animal a pet set free? And even the home entries are kind of changing. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. Almost every state has some sort of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he says. Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. We dont have extra money to do secret projects, he says. Connecticut Public Radio | On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. The upper mile is pretty overgrown in a pretty way. Over a period of a year and a half, this mountain lion left DNA evidence in at least four states. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. Black panthers, which are not found in the U.S., are actually black jaguars or leopards. Dashboard for displaying mountain lion reports to the public. And even the home entries are kind of changing. Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. There are an estimated 3,000 - 7,000 Mountain lions in Colorado. 2012). Mountain Lions: They are officially extinct. 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. However, lions are unpredictable and can be dangerous. It provided absolutely irrefutable proof that a wild Mountain Lion, at least occasionally, can make its way to New England. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it. 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. Weve had coyotes misidentified. The current editor of the publication, which is based in New Hampshire, explains why the job is worth sticking around. Mistaken reports of mountain lions are most commonly bobcats. 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. 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. Give it space to turn around without feeling threatened to get away from you and your family. Rego says that if there were many other animals like the 2011 cat that died in Milford, there would be more visual or physical evidence. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference. Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. Most mountain lion sightings are reported without any evidence other than eyewitness descriptions. Betty, who has had a dozen personal sightings in Rhode Island, studies mountain lion evidence and attends national conventions. Police have a warning after there were multiple mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. 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Not long after, what was believed to be the same mountain lion was struck and killed on Route 15 in Milford. Join as a $8 per month sustainer and get our brand-new owl umbrella! A lifelong Connecticut resident, Nicole has a degree in Communications from Fairfield University. Bachelder said he did a double take Friday evening when he looked out the back window of his home on Pease Road. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. To answer these and other questions about sightings of mountain lions, I turned to DEEPs Rego, who has investigated many purported cougar sightings over the past three decades. Anyone can get fooled. Top Speed: 50 mph. So, now we know what DEEP says about mountain lions in the state and we know that many people mistakenly believe theyve sighted one but its still possible there are some in CT, right? Mountain lions would have inhabited all of what is now Nebraska, roaming the hills and plains as an apex predator, hunting deer, elk and other large game. Mountain lions went extinct in Connecticut during the 1800s, but bobcats are still seen regularly. (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 . Since May 21, three other lion sightings were reported in the Chubbuck and Pocatello areas and one in Inkom. Yet we see nothing about what is being planned except how to scare them away if one sees them. Adult males can be around 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, while adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. 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, . The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. Height at shoulder: 25-30 in. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. According to one internet source, there are 3 types of wild cats that can be found in Connecticut mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. TPWD Confirmed Mountain Lions. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. People often get very emotional about it, Hawley says. My wife is not a wildlife expert, but is not prone to flights of fancy. Betty displayed several maps of Maine and New Hampshire, demonstrating the trend. The Department of Environmental. State conservation officials believe this photo, taken in Greenwich in 2011, shows a mountain lion. It was a spotless cat she estimated at close to 100 pounds. Meanwhile, a family in Redwood City has shared footage of a big cat seen recently in Hawley: Yeah. 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.. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. 105 of 119 106 of 119 A dead mountain lion, killed on the Merritt Parkway in Milford in June 2011. Its fur is a light, tawny brown color which can appear gray or almost black, depending on light conditions. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Eastern cougars (mountain lions) do not have a native, self sustaining population in New York State. Certainly, bobcats are much larger than housecats, but they are not nearly the size of cougars. She didnt claim to see the mountain lions long tail, but optical illusions can lead people to think theyve seen a tail. Officially, the last mountain lions were hunted to extinction here in the late 1800s. 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.. 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). Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. Mountain lion spotted in Connecticut town On Monday, DEEP said that Connecticut does not have a mountain lion population. Copyright 2022 WFSB. Sometimes referred to as the ghosts of the forest, mountain lions or cougars are stealthy hunters that are hard to spot, even in areas they are known to inhabit. Put your arms over your head with a jacket or sweatshirt. 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', '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. I enjoy exploring CT and reporting back to my readers about fun things to do in Connecticut. According to the Smithsonians National Zoo, bobcats are part of the lynx genus, which means they are related to other cats like the Canadian lynx, Iberian lynx and Eurasian lynx. Therefore, there are no western and eastern species to differentiate between. Beautiful trail! I know the difference between bobcats, lynx, & mt lions. I might also add that I notified the State wildlife division about evidence of a bear in my neighborhood in Windham County and never received even an acknowledgement. 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. Mountain Lions:100 all the way up to 200 pounds, Mountain Lions:Can grow up to 6 feet long. While Betty had plenty of evidence to support a mountain lion population, the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection still lists the mountain lion as extinct under the Endangered Species Act. Hunters and property owners have also set up tens of thousands of trail cameras at various locations throughout the state. Give users the ability to create and share their own custom maps and use zoom, pinch, rotate, and tilt to explore maps in more detail. 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 more everyone knows and understands, the better it is for us all.. "We get calls about mountain lions all the time, but they turn out to be unprovable," Brown told the Independent in March. 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