Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. Idaho Fish and Game officers and personnel responded to . '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, Celebrity gossip and sightings in and around CT, February 2023, John Mayer to appear on Impractical Jokers Thursday, Stamford's Alive At Five concert series announces 2023 dates, Dionne Warwick, '80 for Brady producer bring music review to CT. of Energy & Environmental Protection. That said there have been numerous sightings of them over the years. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. This can trigger a chase. We even had a sighting someone here at DEEP, in my office, was convinced they saw a mountain lion. Bobcats dont shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. 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. 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. Habitat. 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Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. Bobcats top out at about 40 pounds (most are much lighter than that) and are only. The last confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in CT was in 2011 when a driver struck and killed one on the Merrit Parkway. to scare it off. People often get very emotional about it, Hawley says. According to Hawley, if mountain lions were present in the state, there would be evidence and not just unconfirmed sightings. 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, Serious crash closes CT stretch of I-95 South, state police say, Fairfield man charged in alleged high-speed chase, shootout, CT Capitol police arrest 14 people following peaceful protest, DCF denies 'deficiencies' cited in report on CT child deaths, Suspect in 2021 fatal shooting arrested, Hamden police say, Police warn of spike in vehicle thefts in CT town, Elicker presents $662.7m budget that would raise spending $29.5m, Norwalk council hears call for school spending, delays budget cap, NJ man faces more charges in alleged money laundering scheme, Late West Haven audit sees vulnerabilities for more fraud, several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month, one that was killed on the Merritt Parkway in 2011, U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service, mountain lions became extinct in Connecticut in the 1800s, Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly coached team. Mountain Lions: cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts. While recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, if someone suspects they encountered a mountain lion, they should not run away, as it might spur a chase. They also want to foster the formation and protection of migration pathways for them and other animals to enter new states. Didnt it? 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. 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. 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Your support makes this news available to everyone. Mountain Lions: They are officially extinct. Bobcats: They are are the only wild cat found in the state and the most common in North America. These hangers include safety tips about living with mountain lions, and what to do if people observe or encounter one. Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Connecticut Dept. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) 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. The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Give today. All rights reserved. 75-170 pounds. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. 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. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. of Energy & Environmental Protection. "We have yet to see anything that suggests they're around here." 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. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. Were getting more and more home entries every year. Im no wilderness expert, but it sure looked like a mountain lion to me, he said. But the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Sunday that. Also known as cougars, panthers or pumas, mountain lions range in color from tan to grey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. After all, if one mountain lion had wandered here, didnt that mean that others could have? 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. Make noise-- be as loud as you can while you make yourself as big as you can. 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. Conserving Tolland President and founder Roseann Kellner Gottier said that the issue has become important for the region and is glad the lecture was well-attended. For mountain lions in Connecticut, a lack of evidence is very good evidence. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are Have a question or comment? Hawley: Yeah. Most mountain lion sightings are reported without any evidence other than eyewitness descriptions. Weve got a growing bear population. But Bachelder stresses he knows what he saw. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. Copyright 2023 The Connecticut Explorer | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Connecticut Explorer Home Find Things to do in CT. A mountain lion in winter. The mountain lion is believed to have had an encounter with a family on their lawn. Live Now All times eastern. These tips include carrying safety equipment and walking . Weve got a growing bear population. It also doesnt mean there wont be more sightings in the future, as these animals have been known to reclaim areas their species once roamed. Okay, if thats what you say, what can I tell you. 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.. Multiple people in North Stonington claim they've spotted a mountain lion roaming around. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? (https://wildlifeinformer.com/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-mountain-lion/). Got a question or comment? They are also known as pumas, cougars and panthers. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. New Hampshire Public Radio | 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. Stay facing the animal and try not to turn your back to it. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. 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. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Mountain lions went extinct in Connecticut during the 1800s, but bobcats are still seen regularly. Bobcats are most frequently misidentified by the public as mountain lions, but theyre not the only animals mislabeled. In the decades that followed, many cougar enthusiasts came to share Wrights conclusions, at least at first. Emaileditor@connecticutmag.com, or contact usonFacebook@connecticutmagazine orTwitter@connecticutmag. Over time, this will help us evaluate problem areas, movement barriers for wildlife, and potential for human-puma conflict. Are there any mountain lions in CT? In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. On Friday July 8, 2022 there was a few reported Mountain Lion sightings the last few days one actually involving an encounter with one's family in their lawn. Mistaken reports of mountain lions are most commonly bobcats. Body length: 3-4 ft. Tail: 2.5-3 ft. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the . WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Cassano Being Honored For Contributions To Manchester Children, Sandwich Giant Again Pledging Sales Proceeds To Major Charity In March, Snow Day For Schools, Parking Ban Issued In Manchester, Book Release Event: Bad Hair Day on Planet Earth, a memoir by Barbara Ruzansky, Jazz Series: Luke Hendon & Jack Soref - An Evening of Gypsy Jazz, The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time, Brady Sullivan Properties Supports Elliot Emergency Department, Public Access TV Show Focuses On Non-Profits And Community Heroes, Pairings Released For CIAC Boys Basketball State Tournaments, 4 Students Injured In 2 Collisions On UConn's Horsebarn Hill. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. However, the National Wildlife Federation notes that the mountain lions range spreads all across the Americas, from the Canadian Yukon to The Strait of Magellan, making it the greatest range of any living mammal in the Americas.. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. No, there are no mountain lions in CT, and there havent been for quite some time. That had to be a mountain lion. The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut occurred in 2011. Betty recommended that anyone who encounters a cougar should make themselves large, raise their hands and yell. 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. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. Hawley: That animal was documented. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. But honest misidentifications are more common. We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. They are very bold. I agreeI am a person with very good knowledge of animals and know the distinct differences between closely related species in some cases It was a flooded area. What we do not have is a secure predator corridor.. 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. My first thought literally was, is that a lion?. This post was contributed by a community member. 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. 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