Or at least theyre not supposed to be. Ive lived here 23 years, Ive seen coyotes, Ive seen bobcats, Ive seen foxes, everything else, never seen anything like this before, said Bachelder. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. Tim Abbott, the regional land conservation and greenprint director for the Housatonic Valley Association, says that during a lecture on mountain lions last winter at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, when the speaker asked if anyone had seen a mountain lion, half of the roughly 400 people in attendance raised their hands. We even had a sighting someone here at DEEP, in my office, was convinced they saw a mountain lion. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** 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. There are no mountain lions in Connecticut, so why do we keep seeing them? 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. In the decades that followed, many cougar enthusiasts came to share Wrights conclusions, at least at first. 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. In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. Weve had coyotes misidentified. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. The one confirmed case, sometimes referred to as the " Connecticut Mountain Lion " happened in June 2011 when an SUV struck and killed a cougar in Milford. Anyone can get fooled. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. What would motivate DEEP officials to do this isnt clear. More recently, unexplained animal sightings in Connecticut and other states became more and more associated with mountain lions. 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. 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. Weve got a growing bear population. Thus, the name of the mountain where Castle Craig sits.. nicknamed "Cat Hole Mountain!" Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. Hes even had his own false sighting. Typically, they will slink out of there as quickly as they can to get away from humans. It would come regularly during its yearly migration. 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. 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. (My wife didnt get a look at the tail.) And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. 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. 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, . Mountain Lions:100 all the way up to 200 pounds, Mountain Lions:Can grow up to 6 feet long. If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. Hey, I know what I saw. And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. I feel a little bit like Roy Scheider in Jaws, you know, youve got to shut down the beaches, he said. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. Mountain lions also have tails that can grow up to 3 feet. The famous "Connecticut mountain lion" traveled 1500 miles from South Dakota, the furthest trek currently recorded. Having spent much time outdoors hunting deer . Police said these have been reported to DEEP, but have not been confirmed as true mountain lion sightings. 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. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. And even the home entries are kind of changing. Copyright 2022 WFSB. 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. So theres fresh mud. 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. I have a fence in the backyard, it was above the bottom rail, so its back was probably this big, this long, the tail, said John Bachelder. 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. Speaker Bill Betty presented evidence and proposed theories that could prove that Connecticut, including , is home to a native population of Eastern mountain lions. These were reported to CT DEEP and though the sightings may not have been confirmed as true mountain Lion sightings, this post is to spread awareness on the issue in case youre presented with such situation. 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. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. 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. 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.. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Hawley says that they would be finding carcasses of mountain lion prey and mountain lion tracks if these animals had recolonized the state, and this simply isnt happening. Anyone can get fooled. The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. 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. If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. Arms over your head, with a jacket or sweatshirt. Not long after, what was believed to be the same mountain lion was struck and killed on Route 15 in Milford. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal. We had a mountain lion go thru my property was about 125 lbs left his paw prints in the mug, which were a bigger than my hand and have pictures of it we also had bobcats come through. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. 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. They are named for their short (bobbed) tail which is often about six inches in length. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. Weve got a growing bear population. They do not want to alarm the public. Im no wilderness expert, but it sure looked like a mountain lion to me, he said. BOSTON (Reuters) - A mountain lion killed on a Connecticut highway in June was a wild animal from South Dakota that prowled more than 1,500 miles eastward before meeting his death 70 miles. 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.. 2. 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. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. "Connecticut is cougar heaven . "The journey of this mountain lion is a testament to the wonders of nature and the tenacity and adaptability of this species," Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty said during a press briefing. Well also go over what types of wild cats can be found in Connecticut. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Especially, when they do migrate across country. The sightings havent been confirmed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and there are no videos or photos. Hawley: That animal was documented. They also want to foster the formation and protection of migration pathways for them and other animals to enter new states. Hey, I know what I saw. They have NEVER observed a single mountain lion track. Theres also the lack of visual evidence, more glaring each passing year as so many hikers and hunters now carry phones with cameras. Every winter, after a fresh snow, DEEP sends out teams into the fields and woods looking for animal tracks. For over 30 years, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been tracking reported mountain lion sightings. They also have facial ruffs and ear tufts on the tips of their ears, as well as shorter tails. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. After all, if one mountain lion had wandered here, didnt that mean that others could have? She had seen an animal on foot in broad daylight. 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. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. 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. Chief Rick OBomsawin of Odanak First Nation currently based in Quebec, whose ancestral lands include Vermont says no one contacted Odanak officials during the state's Truth and Reconciliation selection process. Otherwise, Hawley said cats like bobcats want nothing to do with people, and they will generally prey on chickens, small dogs or cats. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. Just had one over in Windsor last week. He drove me out to the spot. 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. In Florida, where mountain lions are known as panthers, dozens are killed each year by cars. 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. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. Im always amazed at the sheer volume of people who are interested in cougars, more even than wolves, she says. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an, on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. Ask people who spend time outside Connecticut cities and you will hear firsthand or secondhand accounts of mountain lions. Initially, officials believed it had been released from a private handler. According to authorities, the mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem. So, there you have it an answer to the question of whether or not there are mountain lions in CT. Watch Live at 7:00 PM: The U.S. and the Holocaust, a film by Ken Burns | Screening & Panel Discussion . He explains that we frequently overestimate the size of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid of. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. Certainly, bobcats are much larger than housecats, but they are not nearly the size of cougars. It is the only confirmed presence of a cougar in recent years. 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