mountain lion connecticut
Not really, Rego says. 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. Connecticut Dept. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. The last confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in CT was in 2011 when a driver struck and killed one on the Merrit Parkway. Hes even had his own false sighting. 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. A harvest is kind of twofold. 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How much wild life is out there? Grandson of an old swamp Yankee, trapped, hunted , fished my whole life. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. "The state [Connecticut] explains any cougar evidence, such as the recent mountain lion killed in Milford, as an escaped pet [or one that came from the Mid-West]," Mr. Betty said in an e-mail. 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? This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Publics Members 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. 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. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. They investigate hundreds of mountain lion sightings every year without finding physical evidence of their presence. Almost every state has some sort of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he says. 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. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. For decades, wildlife experts should have been seeing occasional scat and paw prints in the winter. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an, on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Bobcats: Though technically a type of lynx, they are distinct from other species of lynx such as the Canadian lynx. Officials recommend not running away, as this can trigger a chase. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. In some versions, state officials dont want to alarm people about the feline predators in their midst. We have had five coyotes crossing through our yard in the past few weeks, and one even lingers around our property and the neighbors. She adds, I think its because a lot of people are fascinated by wild cats; they are the embodiment of the wild.. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. Weve got a growing bear population. Hey, I know what I saw. Connecticut Dept. That mountain lion was hit by a car and killed on the Merritt Parkway in Milford, CT. After the incident, Connecticut environmental officials were able to determine that the 140-pound cat had . You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. 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. 40K views 8 years ago Multiple people in North Stonington claim they've spotted a mountain lion roaming around. I feel a little bit like Roy Scheider in Jaws, you know, youve got to shut down the beaches, he said. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. It is also the most common wild cat found in North America. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection thinks it's unlikely. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. 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. But further inspection revealed it was a very large coyote. State wildlife experts say those big cats have been extinct in Connecticut. This might serve as proof to some that there, in fact, might still be mountain lions in CT. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it, officials said in a Facebook post. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** 2012. 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. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. Do not bend, squat, or sit down. This is a carousel. I live in Hamden Connecticut and I have had mountain lions, black bears, Skunk's, dear, coyotes, fox. Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. Not long after, what was believed to be the same mountain lion was struck and killed on Route 15 in Milford. The news stunned. Two mountain lion encounters in his driveway. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. 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. (My wife didnt get a look at the tail.) Those are the two closest populations that we have here. Sometimes people feared fishers (erroneously attributing the blood-curdling screams of foxes to these hard-to-spot creatures), and in the late 1930s, after several animals were slain under strange circumstances in Glastonbury, the Hartford Courant dubbed the lion-like creature supposedly responsible, the Glawackus. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. In Connecticut, some folks in Sharon say they have seen mountain lions. 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. He drove me out to the spot. He was the only confirmed mountain lion in all of Connecticut but was seen several times right after he arrived in the state before being accidentally killed. And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. Bachelder said he did a double take Friday evening when he looked out the back window of his home on Pease Road. So its this gathering storm. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. 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. 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. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it, he recalls. More recently, unexplained animal sightings in Connecticut and other states became more and more associated with mountain lions. Two women's solution: salvage it instead, Hampden County DA: Massachusetts troopers acted 'lawfully' in shooting death of William Tisdol, As Vt. Initially, officials believed it had been released from a private handler. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. Didnt it? Even so, for decades, skeptics dismissed mountain lion sightings in Connecticut out of hand, pointing out that if the cats were here in anywhere close to the number of reported sightings, there would be DNA and physical evidence of their presence, not to mention photos and videos. We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. Mountain lions were hunted to extinction near the end of the 19th century. They do not want to alarm the public. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, Connecticut Dept. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. Its extremely rare for a person to see a wild animal and to underestimate its size. In Florida, where mountain lions are known as panthers, dozens are killed each year by cars. . Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. They have been documented in Woodbridge and are often quite active this time of year making observations of these normally elusive animals much more likely.. Like coyotes, moreover, mountain. It was a flooded area. Tandmlally@yahoo.com. Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. There also should have been evidence of animals killed by the predators and roadkill. According to one internet source, there are 3 types of wild cats that can be found in Connecticut mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. People should also make noise and to make themselves as large as possible by raising their arms over their head with a jacket or sweatshirt. MoRRoW187 4 mo. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Man arrested for running illegal dental operation in a Danbury hotel room, Meriden police: Father and son sexually assaulted woman in basement, Crash involving three tractor trailers slows traffic on I-84 in Hartford, CT man wanted for murder of woman arrested in Ohio. You may also be interested in: Mountain Lion population by U.S. state He drove me out to the spot. A harvest is kind of twofold. Be as loud as you can paired with being as big as you can. Officially, the last mountain lions were hunted to extinction here in the late 1800s. Give it space to turn around without feeling threatened to get away from you and your family. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Fight back. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. But honest misidentifications are more common. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Were getting more and more home entries every year. 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. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. The big cat. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag. 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. 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. It would come regularly during its yearly migration. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Officials used DNA to genetically fingerprint the mountain lion as the same one spotted more than 18 months ago in Minnesota. 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. Walking our dog in the woods, she had just seen a giant feline saunter across the path. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. 17), Police investigate death of New London High School student, Long Wharf Theatre to present Live from the Edge in Hamden, Torrington students to stage 'The Sponge Bob Musical' in May, 'American Idol' alums Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken to perform in CT, Talcott Mountain Music Festival starts June 30. Make noise. Emaileditor@connecticutmag.com, or contact usonFacebook@connecticutmagazine orTwitter@connecticutmag. 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. They have NEVER observed a single mountain lion track. Dickson, however, said the agency is not aware of any such reports. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. Woodbridge police provided this photo of a mountain lion, after several reported sightings in the area. The gate of a bobcat can often make it look like it has a long tail. "The journey of this mountain lion is a testament to the wonders of. There was also one reported on Salem Road and another in the area of Pease Road. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal likely trekked more than 1,500 miles from South Dakota, a journey that was captured by trail camera (above). He explains that we frequently overestimate the size of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid of. It was found, though, that this particular big cat had traveled all the way from South Dakota a distance of 1,500 miles. In 2017, Ann Jarosiewicz and Liz Prete left their jobs as developers and started WasteNot, a building materials recycling company on Cape Cod. Bobcats dont shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. Its a cool story with how far that animal walked. Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. Those are the two closest populations that we have here. 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. In the decades that followed, many cougar enthusiasts came to share Wrights conclusions, at least at first. 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. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. 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. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Officials are reminding residents to be mindful of small pets and children wandering out of sight, to not approach the animal and give it space to turn around if faced with a big cat, like a mountain lion. Here are some physical differences between mountain lions and bobcats: These 2 big cats also behave differently. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? 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. We know that the closest established breeding population is in either the Everglades of Florida theres a small population down there and then out in South Dakota and Nebraska. The state says no, theyre extinct, that cant be. Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. The department has said it receives reports every year of mountain lions, though the animal became extinct in Connecticut in the late 1800s. 4. 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.. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said Massachusetts troopers used reasonable deadly force after Connecticut man shot at police in Springfield in February. 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. 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.. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. 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.. 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. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. At that point, they realized my family was not crazy and it was identified as a cougar and it was about 100 lbs. I am 58 years old and another cougar was identified when I was much younger by the Deep in Meriden. 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. So why does the conspiracy theory that theyre here in significant numbers persist? Anyone can get fooled. Hawley said that the typical range of cougars like mountain lions is from west of the South Dakota area. Otherwise, Hawley said cats like bobcats want nothing to do with people, and they will generally prey on chickens, small dogs or cats. Woodbridge police reported that there were a few incidents in the area recently, with one involving a resident reporting they encountered a mountain lion with their family on their lawn. 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. However, that doesnt mean that mountain lion sightings are all false or that there havent been roaming cats sighted. Black panthers, which are not found in the U.S., are actually black jaguars or leopards. Mountain Lions: They are officially extinct. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. It had rained previously. 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. I enjoy exploring CT and reporting back to my readers about fun things to do in Connecticut. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. 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. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Sometimes in our shock and excitement at seeing wildlife we see what we want to see. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. Make yourself BIG. 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. What we do not have is a secure predator corridor.. I would not have it any other way. 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. 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. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. The only types of lynx that are indigenous to New England are the Canada Lynx and the Lynx rufus (bobcat). Since then, theyve diverted over an acre of hardwood flooring, roughly 570 kitchen cabinets, and 500 windows from landfills. And theyre not going to find one, because the females don't disperse like that. On June 11, 2011, in Milford, CT, a mountain lion was killed by a motor vehicle. While this isn't the norm, it is becoming slightly more common as mountain lions are striking out further east in search of territory. We know that the closest established breeding population is in either the Everglades of Florida theres a small population down there and then out in South Dakota and Nebraska. The famous "Connecticut mountain lion" traveled 1500 miles from South Dakota, the furthest trek currently recorded. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it. Young pumas dispersing from Western habitats are being killed at the source, compromising the Easts critical opportunity for ecosystem health and the return of an apex carnivore., Regardless of where they are found, or whether people want to hunt or protect them, people are enchanted by mountain lions. he recalls. 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. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Connecticut Public 7.36K subscribers The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been denying they exist in Connecticut, but this past summer a rogue mountain lion was spotted. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. They usually either don't disperse at all or they'll kind of overlap their mother's home range, or they'll disperse very short distances.. There are usually about 50-100 mountain lion sightings reported every year. 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. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. What to know about unconfirmed mountain lion sightings in CT. Nicole Funaro was formerly a statewide trending reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group, covering everything from the most fascinating properties for sale in the Nutmeg State to the latest movie filming in the state. Not working such reports other New England states have bear hunting season for years, but if youre for... Bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat can often make it look it! Which proponents say help control populations Dakota, the cat was hit and killed by a car and killed 2011! Mania: our obsession with mountain lions tend to only be found in North America right. On June 11, the first confirmed in Connecticut, because the females n't. At it, he says didnt get a look at it, and to its! By the deep in Meriden for a person to see a wild animal and to me its. Killed each year by cars the beaches, he said the team when her allows! 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