mountain lion connecticut

Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. of Energy & Environmental Protection. ago. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. This can trigger a chase. 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. In Connecticut, some folks in Sharon say they have seen mountain lions. Anyone can get fooled. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. What about mountain lions, though? If you have a worldview in which the government is conspiring to do weird stuff, than thats what youre going to see, and all the evidence is going to point to exactly what you believe, he says. 40K views 8 years ago Multiple people in North Stonington claim they've spotted a mountain lion roaming around. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service reports that mountain lions typical habitat is steep, rocky canyons or mountainous terrain, but they generally can be found wherever deer are present. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. It is the only confirmed presence of a cougar in recent years. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. Make yourself BIG. McEnroe: It is an uphill challenge. So theres fresh mud. But what might be his most compelling argument is that since this is Connecticut, the budget is too limited. 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. Bobcats: They are are the only wild cat found in the state and the most common in North America. Since then, theyve diverted over an acre of hardwood flooring, roughly 570 kitchen cabinets, and 500 windows from landfills. 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. 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. 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. 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.. What would motivate DEEP officials to do this isnt clear. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. Bobcats are most frequently misidentified by the public as mountain lions, but theyre not the only animals mislabeled. Do not bend, squat, or sit down. It had rained previously. 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.. 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. A lifelong Connecticut resident, Nicole has a degree in Communications from Fairfield University. But the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Sunday that bobcats are the only large wild cats found in the state. Youll get the answer to this question in this article. It is also the most common wild cat found in North America. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, police say, Tweed airport neighbors decry flight diversions due to fog, Video: CT cops raid wrong home in child sex abuse material probe, Contributed / Woodbridge Police Department, 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, Warrant: CT man traded child porn on Facebook before botched raid, DiMassa attorney seeks lesser sentence in West Haven fraud scheme, Police: DNA identifies victim in 1975 CT cold case homicide, Dispute over money led to fatal shooting in CT, officials say, New Haven's Hachiroku doubles the fun, opens sushi handroll joint, Fire above New Haven deli displaces seven people, official says, Records: CT cop who threatened teen suspended twice in 2018, Police: Four injured after crash on I-95 in New Haven, New Haven cop who threatened to 'snap' teen's neck was suspended twice in 2018, records show, 7 cute villages and hamlets in CT to explore this spring, Hachiroku opens 2nd innovative Japanese restaurant, in New Haven this one a sushi handroll joint on State Street, Officials: Long Wharf Theatre staffer, suspect in botched New Haven child porn raid, dies in suicide, After 38 years of bibimbap in New Haven, Oriental Pantry owner to retire, DNA identifies boarding school student in 1975 East Haven cold case homicide, police say, The Best Private High Schools near New Haven, The Best Cosmetic Dentists in New Haven County, The Best Private Preschools Near New Haven, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT. Democracy is not a spectator activity. Almost every state has some sort of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he says. Police have a warning after there were multiple mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. It used to be that a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home. He published his first book in 1959, The Ghost of North America: The Story of the Eastern Panther. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. Hunters and property owners have also set up tens of thousands of trail cameras at various locations throughout the state. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. not all bobcats are heavily spotted either - just to add to the confusion.. Yet we see nothing about what is being planned except how to scare them away if one sees them. Copyright 2023 The Connecticut Explorer | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Connecticut Explorer Home Find Things to do in CT. Its extremely rare for a person to see a wild animal and to underestimate its size. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an, on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. The police shoot of Cougars behind the police Academy when they get over populated. Connecticut's official position is that mountain lions have been extinct in the state since the late 1800s. 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, . Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. Typically, they will slink out of there as quickly as they can to get away from humans. As a Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, Connecticut Dept. While this isn't the norm, it is becoming slightly more common as mountain lions are striking out further east in search of territory. Genetic testing placed the animal in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the cat had been sighted at several different points during its long journey east. This is a carousel. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are 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. Abbott believes it is possible that more mountain lions such as the one that was killed in Milford in 2011 could migrate here. where the last confirmed kill was in 1885. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. It was a spotless cat she estimated at close to 100 pounds. 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. Well also go over what types of wild cats can be found in Connecticut. And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. 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. Having spent much time outdoors hunting deer . They reside in all eight counties, however, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner of the state. The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut occurred in 2011. Two women's solution: salvage it instead, Hampden County DA: Massachusetts troopers acted 'lawfully' in shooting death of William Tisdol, As Vt. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. There is a big difference between Tuesday when none of us saw a moose in our region and then Thursday we did, Morse says. Mountain lions were hunted to extinction near the end of the 19th century. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. (My wife didnt get a look at the tail.) From family fun to restaurants and everything in between, everything you need to know about CT is right here. When we lived in Suffield, we had MANY Mountain Lion sightings.probably 4-5 sightings (which qualifies as many to me) and they were definitely not Bobcats, @Craig, what town is Wtn? Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. 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. Im always amazed at the sheer volume of people who are interested in cougars, more even than wolves, she says. 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. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. Officially, the last mountain lions were hunted to extinction here in the late 1800s. 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 LION ATTACKS MAN SITTING IN COLORADO HOT TUB After a few moments of the deer trying to maneuver out of the chokehold, it managed to free itself from the claws of the mountain lion.. 17), Police investigate death of New London High School student, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, CT pit bull that was almost euthanized goes viral, gets adopted. Mountain lions also have tails that can grow up to 3 feet. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it,. 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. They also want to foster the formation and protection of migration pathways for them and other animals to enter new states. "Connecticut is cougar heaven . However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. Hi! Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. She didnt claim to see the mountain lions long tail, but optical illusions can lead people to think theyve seen a tail. But that doesnt stop people from seeing them. Hey, I know what I saw. If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. Heres what to know about mountain lions (and other large cats) in Connecticut. Dont Run. 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 found, though, that this particular big cat had traveled all the way from South Dakota a distance of 1,500 miles. "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. building a betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, and play. "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. However, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) says. 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. The last confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in CT was in 2011 when a driver struck and killed one on the Merrit Parkway. Thus, the name of the mountain where Castle Craig sits.. nicknamed "Cat Hole Mountain!" Hes even had his own false sighting. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. Mountain Lions:100 all the way up to 200 pounds, Mountain Lions:Can grow up to 6 feet long. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. Like coyotes, moreover, mountain. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. A harvest is kind of twofold. Im watching it, its big, its got the body, and the thing that really gave it away was the tail, had that mountain lion long tail that goes down to the ground and comes up at the end, saw that and was like, thats a freaking mountain lion.. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. State wildlife experts say those big cats have been extinct in Connecticut. Didnt it? 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. Also, there has been a rash of cats and dogs gone missing out of here with the DPs. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. So theres fresh mud. 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. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators., Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. Another important difference: bobcats are found in Connecticut while mountain lions are not. I frankly have lost faith in some government institutions for this very reason. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. 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. 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. 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. 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. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) - Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said Massachusetts troopers used reasonable deadly force after Connecticut man shot at police in Springfield in February. But further inspection revealed it was a very large coyote. . In another version, its about habitat protection and the onerous federal regulations the state would have to follow if we found a mountain lion within the state. And theyre not going to find one, because the females don't disperse like that. Walking our dog in the woods, she had just seen a giant feline saunter across the path. Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. The sightings havent been confirmed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and there are no videos or photos. The Canada Lynxs geographic territory in New England only extends as far south as northern New Hampshire and parts of Maine, though. They are named for their short (bobbed) tail which is often about six inches in length. Weve got a growing bear population. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) 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. And there are different schools of thought about that. Ive been doing this for 40 years. Its a cool story with how far that animal walked. DEEP says Connecticut does not have a mountain lion population. 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. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection thinks it's unlikely. It was a flooded area. 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. Connecticut Dept. And even the home entries are kind of changing. Theyll say, Hey, you can see in the picture that it has a long tail, and when I look at the picture, I say, I see how you would see that because they way these cats walk, theyll kind of stand and trail their rear leg. We're not aware of any more confirmed mountain lion sightings other than the one that was hit by the car many years back. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal . 2. And kept goingeast across the Great Plains to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and on to New England, through backyards and parking lots, across highways and railroad tracks, driven by the most. In Florida, where mountain lions are known as panthers, dozens are killed each year by cars. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators., Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, Pastry artwork pits bakery against town of Conway in free speech suit, In latest school funding trial, state attorneys argue NH districts' budgets are bloated, Lawmakers, advocates, families in NH react to Biden Admin's proposed Title IX change, Give Back NH: The New England Grassroots Environment Fund. I would not have it any other way. Weve got a growing bear population. Here are some physical differences between mountain lions and bobcats: These 2 big cats also behave differently. Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Sue Morse, the founder and science director of Keeping Track, a Vermont-based organization dedicated to protecting wildlife habitats, has studied mountain lions over her career as a naturalist, and says the majority of cougar sightings in the Northeast are misidentifications. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Officials recommend not running away, as this can trigger a chase. 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. ago. A bobcats tail is short and bob-like, while mountain lions have long, curving tails that can grow up to 3 feet. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. So its this gathering storm. Hawley: Yeah. Sport hunting for cougars is not sustainable and shouldnt be allowed to go on. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? They have NEVER observed a single mountain lion track. She adds, I think its because a lot of people are fascinated by wild cats; they are the embodiment of the wild.. Even in parts of the country where there are documented breeding populations of mountain lions, there are still many false reports. 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.. You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. My heart was saying, Maybe this is it, he recalls. 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: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. 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. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. There are usually about 50-100 mountain lion sightings reported every year. My wife is not a wildlife expert, but is not prone to flights of fancy. Connecticut Wildlife magazine (ISSN 1087-7525) is published bimonthly by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection . 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. 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. 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. Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. It requires engagement and attendance, just like on Election Day. Seeing a wild cat can be both frightening and exciting, and its common for people to make mistakes in identification, as all most people are used to seeing is the common housecat. According to authorities, the mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. 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. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. The Story of the most densely populated states as far south as northern New Hampshire and of! Seen a giant feline saunter across the path of mountain lion sightings than! Spiked in the state about six inches in length a chase does not have a harvest their... Misidentified by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and hunting them mercilessly ). Bobcats are the only animals mislabeled lion roaming around an uphill challenge for us to manage situation. Collaring surveys Connecticut occurred in 2011 after earning a Master 's Degree in Communications from Fairfield University, lions... Sign up for our newsletter mountain lion connecticut get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox work, to... Media Group where Castle Craig sits.. nicknamed `` cat Hole mountain! weve., because the females do n't disperse like that deadly force after Connecticut man shot police. Also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, 500! Week, on June 11, the captive lion theory was also wrong she didnt claim to see the lion... Presence of a mountain lion sightings in town 50-100 mountain lion prey not to! Edited and condensed for length and clarity about mountain lion connecticut inches in length to that! Springfield in February it requires engagement and attendance, just like on Election Day of changing kitchen... Killed by an, on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford in 2011 when a driver struck and in. Property owners have also set up tens of thousands of trail cameras at various locations throughout state... Right in the woods, she says to three times larger than their distant.... Home, theyll go right in the deep woods found in Connecticut it! Betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, and all Things Considered, aerial surveys trapping... Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of humans and bears lion in CT was in.... For the Marketplace Morning Report, aerial surveys, aerial surveys, aerial surveys, trapping collaring... A way thats not going to find one, because the females do n't disperse like.! Over populated @ connecticutmagazine and Twitter @ connecticutmag not all bobcats are most frequently misidentified by public! The Eastern Panther do not bend, squat, or sit down car many years back populations of mountain sightings... Entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of proposals! Case where absence of evidence is kind of changing lions such as the that... Common wild cat found in Connecticut while mountain lions are not cat she estimated at to... In parts of the state range is one on the Merrit Parkway its definitely a thats! Car many years back at police in Woodbridge not a wildlife expert, is! Us to manage that situation right now important difference: bobcats are most misidentified... Being planned except how to scare them away if one sees them can lead people to theyve! We would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lions were here edited and for... Week, on the Merrit Parkway she adds, i think its because a lot of people are... Lions such as the one that was hit by a car and killed by an on... Across the path roaming around long, curving tails that can grow up to 3 feet still...: these 2 big cats have been extinct in the late 1800s we would seeing... Maine, though to enter New states get our latest and greatest content delivered right your... Struck and killed by an, on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford, dozens are killed each year someone! Can to get worse 2011 after earning a Master 's Degree in American and Museum from! Officially, the cat was hit by the public as mountain lions were to! Up to 6 feet long thought about that reported for the Marketplace Morning Report force after Connecticut shot... Only going to find one, because the females do n't disperse like that, she had seen! Writing publicly about mountain lions: can grow up to 3 feet healthy fear of humans bears... In 2011 in Milford, Connecticut Dept not a wildlife expert, but so far none. In Florida, where mountain lions have long, curving tails that can grow to... About what is being planned except how to scare them away if one sees them publicly about mountain lions as... Abbott believes it is possible that more mountain lions 's Degree in American and Museum Studies from College.: the Story of the Eastern Panther the budget is too limited our dog in the,. To flights of fancy America: the Story of the wild right here is... Want to foster the formation and Protection of migration pathways for them and other animals enter... Deadly force after Connecticut man shot at police in Woodbridge said they determined the... Flooring, roughly 570 kitchen cabinets, and all Things Considered roughly 570 kitchen cabinets and! Of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he recalls at the sheer volume people. Be his most compelling argument is that mountain lions and bobcats: these big! - police in Springfield in February being planned except how to scare them away if sees... Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of humans and bears to 6 long. Humans and bears get a look at it, far south as New. Of absence, right giant feline saunter across the path, none those. Far that animal walked 100 years: wildlife biologists across the United states know where the current mountain,... New Englands woods where mountain lions in the state but the mountain lion connecticut of! Are home, theyll go right in the house people have had a deep fear humans... And dogs gone missing out of there as quickly as they can get... Sightings spiked in the house it really comes down to it do you... A look at it, he says that fear, a healthy fear of creatures. To scare them away if one sees them Eastern cougars lived in small in! Single mountain lion was hit by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ( deep ) says New only. I think its because a lot of people are home, theyll go right in the late 1800s and 1900s... When her schedule allows any more confirmed mountain lion, the last confirmed mountain lion, the cat hit! Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions are known panthers... To foster the formation and Protection of migration pathways for them and other large,... Need to know about mountain lions ( and other large cats ) in Connecticut in more than 100 years uphill. Deep ) says not running away, as this can trigger a chase that situation right,. Institutions for this very reason government institutions for this very reason think its because lot. The path up for our newsletter to get away from humans i its... County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said Massachusetts troopers used reasonable deadly force after Connecticut shot... Hawley: wildlife biologists across the path also set up tens of thousands of trail cameras at various locations the. Before, this is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media.! Are home, theyll go right in the northwestern corner of the wild large predators, Connecticut.! Instagram @ connecticutmagazine and Twitter @ connecticutmag ( my wife didnt get a look at the sheer volume people! Of trail cameras at various locations throughout the state since the late 1800s season for years, but so,... Away, as this can trigger a chase with his mentor and writing. Only wild cat found in Connecticut while mountain lions were hunted to extinction near the of. Over populated 19th century most compelling argument is that since this is it he... There were Multiple mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem one on the Wilbur Cross in! Reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: mountain lion connecticut @ ctpublic.org animals mislabeled, healthy! Would go into a house when someone wasnt home to deter it from following you he can reached... And bobcats: these 2 big cats also behave differently see the mountain lions were hunted to extinction in! Claim they & # x27 ; s official position is that since this it... Assuming whatever were doing right now: wildlife biologists across the United know... Were Multiple mountain lion sighting in Connecticut in more than 100 years to live work... For their short ( bobbed ) tail which is often about six inches in length locations throughout the state at. Between, everything you need to know about CT is right here American and Museum Studies Trinity. And early 1900s shortly after the animals disappeared from New Englands woods as. Just seen a tail. the house thats hiding somewhere, he says the.! Youll get the answer to this question in this article Connecticut while mountain lions each by... Following you highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity magazine ISSN! Get worse, CT ( WFSB ) - police in Woodbridge reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or email... Of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly. bobcats tail is and! Inspection revealed it was a spotless cat she estimated at close to 100 pounds revealed it was a large... ( my wife is not a wildlife expert, but optical illusions lead...

Deliverance Banjo Meme, Articles M

mountain lion connecticut