The animal originated in the Black Hills region of South Dakota and was tracked by DNA from its hair and droppings as it passed through Minnesota and Wisconsin in 2009 and 2010." With the Great Lakes in its way, the cat moved either north or south of the water, and the latter route would have seen it pass through at least some of Pennsylvania. In January, the U.S. Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser notes that his agency agrees with San Julian. Red Lion, settled in 1852, was named after one of the first pubs in town, the Red Lion Tavern. “Is that a [expletive] mountain lion in the middle of [expletive] Saranac Lake? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Game commissions have denied it for a long time. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. If you are concerned for your safety, you might try walking a dog that would be able to protect you. First, some history about mountain lions in this region. Here's the real McCoy. 0 0. And, some may be escaped or illegally released pets. All rights reserved (About Us). Fish and Wildlife Service. 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. As the latest hoaxed photo of a mountain lion supposedly killed in Pennsylvania died a slow death on Facebook yesterday, the head of an organization tracking the eastern movements of the big cats was preparing a presentation for a Pennsylvania audience tonight. Picture of a mountain lion which was hit by a truck on Mill Creek Road east of Altoona, south of State College, between Mt. The young may stay with their mother for as long as 26 months, but usually separate after about 15 months. Michelle LaRue, executive director of the Cougar Network and a research ecologist at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the eastern expansion of cougars from their core range in the western U.S. at 7 p.m. in Moravian College's Haupert Union Building, Bethlehem. The second largest cat in North America, only topped by the jaguar, it has the widest range of any land mammal in … 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 … The Dodge family in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, captured an … Union and Huntingdon, Pa... One doesn’t think about big cats being in this eastern part of the country. Some may be animals that dispersed into the region from western populations. While there have been no confirmed occurrences of mountain lions in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s, dozens of sincere reports of sightings and tracks and even more hoaxed reports emerge across the state each year. Mountain Lion Reports. Despite reported sightings throughout the East, including Pennsylvania, and a confirmed mountain lion killed in Connecticut in 2011, there has been no evidence that any of those cats were native to the East. The agency has declared extinct the eastern cougar, one of 11 subspecies of mountain lions native to North America. But as the South Dakota mountain lion proved in its at least unusual migration to Connecticut, anything is … PO Box 1896 | Sacramento, California | 95812 916-442-2666 | [email protected] No , and if there is one, there has be two or more of them in the area. After sharing a friends facebook post about a potential mountain lion also referred to as cougar or puma sighting in central pennsylvania stacey griffiths personal page was flooded with so. More about mountain lions in Pennsylvania: Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Sure would be a thrill to actually see one. Mountain lion cougar sighting in pennsylvania october 2019 part 2 scott describes his mountain lion cougar sighting in western pennsylvania indiana county in october 2019 in this interview. 0 0. [email protected]. Those cats for which DNA evidence was recovered had come east from South Dakota, part of the known, modern-day, U.S. mountain lion range. DNA collected from the mountain lion killed on a roadway in Connecticut in 2011 showed the animal to have originated in South Dakota. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Many people in the East think they've heard a mountain lion screaming. This group is for ration discussion for believers and non-believers alike. It was recorded in Minnesota and Wisconsin in late 2009 and early 2010, and then died in Connecticut in 2011. A tiny population of Florida cougars persists in the southeastern corner of the United States. (National Park Service). 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. Mountain lions can breed year-round. 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, is the last native mountain lion known to have been shot in Pennsylvania. (AP FILE PHOTO) A Philadelphia Inquirer story said more and more people in Pennsylvania claim they are seeing mountain lions here . "But we believe that the likely source is an illegally released animal." The eastern mountain lion was one of 11 subspecies of mountain lion … According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. Pennsylvania Mountain Lion. 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. The other … Keep journalists asking the hard questions. 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 east of the state. Pennsylvania's last known wild eastern mountain lion was killed in Berks County in 1874. (National Park Service). In the wild, a mountain lion can live up to 10 years. Some outdoor enthusiasts insist they have seen the big cats here and believe them to be naturally occurring, native animals. The Cougar Network, working with state agencies, have documented multiple mountain lions as far east as Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan in recent years, as well as one cat killed on a highway in Milford, Connecticut, in June 2011. Last week, my husband was driving alone to work around 6am & spotted a mountain lion again. Although unconfirmed, mountain lions continue to be reported in many spots across Pennsylvania, including several reports in the past couple months. What makes this controversial is U.S. They came out and investigated. Female mountain lions usually give birth every two years. But an image captured by one family's security camera last weekend certainly shows what looks to be a mountain lion. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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, is the last native mountain lion known to have been shot in Pennsylvania.". However, if you've seen a mountain lion, or other mystery creature, or evidence of either, in Pennsylvania, contact outdoor writer Marcus Schneck at [email protected].). (PennLive has investigated many reports of mountain lions, and other mystery creatures, and has found no confirming evidence. Mountain lions, which continue to be reported across Pennsylvania throughout the year, are officially extinct east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida, according to the U.S. An Amish farmer along 944 in Cumberland County complained to the PGC a mountain lion was killing his sheep. "While confirmed cougar sightings have occurred recently in the wild in the East, there is currently no scientific or physical evidence documenting the continued existence of a population of wild eastern cougars," according to the U.S. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. They are generally believed to be young cats roaming in search of new breeding territories to claim as their own. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the opposite side of Pennsylvania a year ago, Is it real? Lv 7. Some cats had a South American genetic profile. In captivity, they can live up to 21 years. Reports generally go uninvestigated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which discounts them as mistaken identities, illegal pets escaped or released and outright fabrications. Females "scream" when they are in heat. Paws 'N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. 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. Another mountain lion which was killed on a Connecticut highway in June of 2011, apparently walked 2,000 miles across the country from South Dakota, according to Connecticut environmental officials. Mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the opposite side of Pennsylvania a year ago, Is it real? Litters can range in size from one to six cubs. Have you seen a mountain lion in or near Pennsylvania? 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. * They are Protected in Pennsylvania even though some people say … The mountain lion is a creature of many names. It was very close to the first sighting, also on Rt.15 near the Sparta Mountains. The last native mountain lion known to be killed in Pennsylvania is on display in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. An adult male mountain lion in California. "Given the period of time that has passed without verification of even a single eastern puma, the service concludes that the last remaining members of this subspecies perished decades ago," the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a Federal Register notice. Mountain lions roamed all of the continent prior to the arrival and westward spread of European settlers, but only the eastern and Florida subspecies were found east of the Mississippi. It was recorded in Minnesota and Wisconsin in late 2009 and early 2010, and then died in Connecticut in 2011. ", (PennLive has investigated many reports of mountain lions, and other mystery creatures, and has found no confirming evidence, including in a reported Berks County sighting on January 8. Penn State's Nittany Lion hide sampled for DNA sequencing, Mountain lion reports in Pennsylvania popular, but often a hoax. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. 1 decade ago. And, except for Florida, the eastern mountain lion is believed to have extricated from the east coast by 1900. I live in East Texas, and the cougar is starting to become more than the infrequent sighting. 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). Then I saw and was like, 'It could be a bobcat, possibly mountain lion,' " Nick Dodge said. Mountain lions, which continue to be reported across Pennsylvania throughout the year, are officially extinct east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida, according to the U.S. Subscribe to PennLive. Paws ‘N' Claws Animal Park in the Poconos has two. Brian. Are mountain lions on their way to Pennsylvania? I wanted to document these sightings, as I know there is much doubt regarding the existence of mountain … The question is fair. Here's more about mountain lions in Pennsylvania: Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Source(s): https://shrink.im/baaVW. With the Great Lakes in its way, the cat moved either north or south of the water, and the latter route would have seen it pass through at least some of Pennsylvania. According to the commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. They are generally believed to be young cats roaming in search of new breeding territories to claim as their own. All rights reserved (About Us). Subscribe to PennLive. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. Source(s): https://shrinks.im/a9m4a. Those cats for which DNA evidence was recovered had come east from South Dakota, part of the known, modern-day, U.S. mountain lion range. Fish and Wildlife Service begins a review of scientific and commercial information to determine the status of the endangered eastern cougar. I love the big cats and devote a huge amount of my field time photographing African lions, leopards, cheetahs, and in 2011, tigers. Confirmed cougar sightings have increased in the Midwest and Great Lakes states in recent years.". PHILADELPHIA (AP) — An instinct coiled way down in the human brain knows the difference between a bobcat and a mountain lion. The eastern mountain lion debate - already heated in some quarters in Pennsylvania and elsewhere - will be heating up a few thousand degrees as the U.S. However, if you've seen a mountain lion, or other mystery creature, or evidence of either, in Pennsylvania, contact outdoor writer Marcus Schneck at [email protected].). Fish and Wildlife Service declared the mountain lion extinct east of the Mississippi and north of Florida earlier this year, ruling them out here in Pennsylvania. The town was a main stop along the old Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad, known locally as the "Ma & Pa" Railroad.That railroad ran from York County to Baltimore, Maryland.. Red Lion was once famous for the many brands of cigars made there. 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. The last documented sighting of an eastern cougar was one killed in Maine in 1938. The Cougar Network, working with state agencies, have documented multiple mountain lions as far east as Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan in recent years, as well as that cat killed on a highway in Milford, Connecticut, in June 2011. Known as a puma in Latin America and called panther, cougar, and catamount in parts of the United States, it is all the same animal. Oh my [expletive] God,” says the dumfounded Noka. Keep journalists asking the hard questions. The animal could not be a wild mountain lion, because "there are no wild mountain lions in Pennsylvania." It was stuffed and is on display at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Penn State's Nittany Lion hide sampled for DNA sequencing, Mountain lion reports in Pennsylvania popular, but often a hoax. They are advertising their desire to mate. The last native mountain lion known to be killed in Pennsylvania is on display in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. 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 east of the state. In January, the U.S. Mountain Lion Pennsylvania. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have … 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. That's not to say that there is not a mountain lion in the wild," he explains. 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). Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. 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. "The cougars examined in the Northeast in the past 70 years are likely released or escaped captives. The mountain lion was killed east of Altoona and south of State College, Pa. northeast of Raystown Lake between Mt. No evidence has ever been produced to support those charges. Mountain Lions in the State of Pennsylvania. Many of those claiming to have encountered a cougar in Pennsylvania take that non-confirmation by the commission as an attack on their veracity and character. Their conclusion: “Sir, you don’t have a mountain lion.” A week later the farmer shot the mountain lion.