Officials State Matunuck Cat Sighting Not a Mountain Lion; Witnesses Disagree The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management stated it does not believe Saturday afternoon's large. The animal victim was a full-grown, 140-pound mountain lion. Its closest living relative is the cheetah. NORTH SCITUATE A "nature cam" video posted by a North Scituate woman shows a very large cat walking through the woods, and now residents are questioning whether it's a bobcat or mountain lion. Approx. While Silver Lake is the farthest south hes been, the mountain lion is no stranger to traveling long distances. You're probably more likely to get into the Hardrock 100-and win it-than to see a mountain lion east of the Mississippi River.There are no mountain lions in Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Newfoundland and . This isnt the first time P-22 has ventured from his home in Griffith Park. None of these add up to a confirmed sighting. It is also known as cougar, panther, mountain lion, and puma, though catamount is the preferred regional vernacular. Although the idea seems far-fetched, a recent report is not the first time a Rhode Island resident has claimed to see a large cat. The destruction was perhaps a reflection of the biblical notion that God gave man dominion over the Earth. It is legal to hunt mountain lion in Idaho, however there are strict guidelines about quantity and gender that can be taken. One is the psychological phenomenon known as visual closure. In recent years they have become established in Bristol County and mainland portions of Newport County. Keep making yourself as large as possible, and start thinking about what potential weapons you might be able to usea walking stick is a good option. He turned his head and saw a mountain lion about 10 feet away. Are there mountain lions in Rhode Island? Unconfirmed sightings are rare but routine, and speculation is often fueled by photos from other parts of the country passed off as local proof of mountain lions. Definitely not. For more information, go to www.mountainlion.org. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. According to a five-year review written by Mark McCollough, endangered species biologist for U.S. Thats not to say there arent other mountain lions wandering around east of the Rockies. I have been interested in this topic ever since 1972, when I was running with a friend in Swansea, Mass, along some power lines where we thought what was a catlike scream. To pine warblers and mountain lions. KEENE Mackenzie Yelin was out for her morning jog a few weeks ago when she noticed something in the woods by the road. The internet as is often the case is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to identifying mountain lions. Both of which are present in the small state. I stopped because I always like to stop and see wildlife.. The carnivores primarily feast on bigger game like elk and deer. Interest in mountain lions is so high that one of the most frequently asked questions to the eMammal research team is whether we have captured a photo of a mountain lion. Although they will eat small game such as rabbits and beavers, their preferred dinner in Eastern North America is the white-tailed deer. Then, Travis did everything right. Obviously, when people believe that theyve seen them, but the sighting's not being verified by wildlife agencies, then in your heart of hearts you still believe youve seen them, even without the corroborating evidence, said Rego. Has U.S. Have some feedback for us? A mouse tries to run to safety. With the woods gone, the result was inevitable. However, a small number of Florida panthers are also trying to make a comeback in the southern state. But I am not a mouse! could work as well as anything if you say it loudly and sternly. By 1929, a book called "Lives of Game Animals" declared: In the eastern States, [the puma] is virtually extinct. Morse said the male mountain lions, the toms, have been roaming east for some time, and it is likely people in New England are seeing them. The answer is both simple and slightly complex, depending on who you ask. However, there have been two confirmed reports of mountain lions in the state in the last 30 years. Choose wisely! People who fight back, live. 2012). They are the same species, but their behaviors around humans are different. Figure 1 Mountain lion range and confirmed sightings from 1990-2008. Gompper, M. E., R. W. Kays, J. C. Ray, S. D. Lapoint, D. A. Bogan, and J. R. Cryan. New indoor skate park being developed in Pawtucket, Once a target for 'Ghost Hunters,' Ruffstone Tavern could go residential, Woonsocket talks breaking with Synagro as stench spreads, Smithfield Dog Park deemed a huge success, Throwback in Pawtucket: Penny candy arrives on Main Street, Over objections, Pawtucket council signs tax treaty for major distribution center, Town looks to create more of a YMCA experience at pool and fitness center, Return to glory: North Providence boys' basketball team captures D-III crown, Drivers license forum draws huge crowd to Central Falls High. Although the idea seems far-fetched, a recent report is not the first time a Rhode Island resident has claimed to see a large cat. The kittens will stay with their mother for a year or two before theyre off on their own, typically staying close to their birth territory. This sounds like easy advice, but I think Id likely scream in a mouse-like way if I ever rounded a corner on the trail and came face-to-face with a mountain lion. Obits Opinion Video: Mountain lion captured on Providence trail cam Aug 19, 2017 0 Support Local Journalism Subscribe Herald Journal reader Clair Ellis sent in this video of a mountain lion spotted on a motion-activated trail camera a couple hundred yards east of the Deer Fence in Providence. You may know them as panthers, pumas, catamounts, and cougars. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. That comes in, 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Rhode Island Welder Jobs (Overview) Software Developer Jobs (Overview) Software Engineer Jobs (Overview) Business Analyst Jobs (Overview) Information Technology Manager, Heres a quick look at the top ten highest paying jobs in Rhode Island: Loan Servicing Specialist. Bobcats, yellow labs, and feral house cats are all common culprits for mountain lion mis-identification. Error! Its not appropriate for us to second guess somebodys behavior in a mountain-lion attack.. Holler whatever comes to mind. Unlike many neighboring states, there are few mountain lion sightings in Rhode Island. Catamount. McCollough describes it this way: When we see something and were not completely sure what it was, we have a tendency to want to pigeonhole the item, rather than just say, I dont know. We have this thing in our brains that makes us want to bring closure to identifications. Have you ever seen a mountain lion while trail running or hiking? Theres a catalog in the vaults of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. 2012). Recent indicators such as sightings, reports and road-kills suggest the popula- tion is currently on the rise, both locally and regional- ly. The nearest confirmed established and breeding mountain lion populations are in the Black Hills of North and South Dakota and western Nebraska. Weve recently revised our comment policy to help us be more consistent and to be in keeping with our goal to promote a better community conversation. The SUV was moving too fast to stop in time, and the figure was struck and killed. A gentleman in West Greenwich killed the mountain lion and subsequently donated it to the Franklin Society of Providence. The males measure 6 to 8 feet from nose to tail tip and females 5 to 7 feet. Its silent stalking ability struck fear in the hearts of many settlers. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. The fabled and elusive mountain lion once roamed throughout the United States. There has been one confirmed wolf sighting in the state since the 1800s, Ms. Larson said. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. California is mountain lion territory but you may never see one in the wild. Low 31F. A mountain lion in Middletown? USFWS says, "Cougars in the East (today) are Florida panthers, released captives, or those dispersed from the West. Sometimes people want to believe that pictures of bobcat kittens (yes, bobcats do inhabit much of New England) are actually mountain lion kittens. In New England, only Maine and Vermont list even the possibility of suitable habitat. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. I want to organize sightings,so I would like as much information as possible. This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats. Someone will say, Oh, my friend took this picture in Cumberland, and a quick Google search will reveal that the picture was taken in a totally different place. Shortly after he made it to the top of Towers Road, he heard pine needles rustle behind him. A mountain lion in Middletown? The same technology that brought about the internet has given nearly everyone the perfect cougar prover: the smartphone. Scott Lope, director of operations for the nonprofit Big Cat Rescue, removed the female mountain lion from the home in Glocester on Thursday morning. #2 The size. Today, every state in the Northeast reports the puma as extirpated. If there is a pair of cougars in the Green Mountains of Vermont, now, it is the highest possible number. Wait what? Its distinctive featurethe one that sets it apart from other North American wild catsis its tail, which is thick and often as long as its body. In fact, east of the Rocky Mountains, the only breeding mountain-lion populations are in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Florida. Also, anybody who owns a house cat knows how cats love to chase things that are moving away from them. Expand All. posts and dont engage with trolls. One example occurred in 2011. Mountain lion DNA was recovered from a Petersham, Mass., close to the New Hampshire border, after a 2016 incident in which a horse was injured. I know, I know, trail runners are generally fairly small people. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. I was like What did I just see?. They both nodded, smiling. Betty is a dedicated cougar man, an obsessed digger who has gathered tons of cougar . What could be mistaken for a mountain lion? Rhode Island, also called Aquidneck Island, island, largest in Narragansett Bay, eastern Rhode Island, U.S., occupying an area of 44 square miles (114 square km)., For a LLC with a single member taxed as a Subchapter C corporation or as a Subchapter S corporation, a profit or loss statement shall, Table Population Female persons, percent 51.0% Race and Hispanic Origin White alone, percent 83.1% Black or African American alone, percent(a) 8.8% What, Rhode Island has some of the highest property taxes in the U.S., as the state carries an average effective rate of 1.53%. And then we can talk about how to mitigate that risk and what to do in the very unlikely event a mountain lion decides you look tastier than anything else around. If you have seen a mountain lion in Rhode Island, please Leave a Comment with as much information here as you can. We dont know why theyre going where theyre going, Cholo said. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. They are a member of the Felidae (cat) family. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Eds: APNewsNow; CORRECTS that staffer for nonprofit removed cat, not TV show. Extirpation was the least of their concerns, and governments were willing to pay for the process. When you have females to come to new habitats, you will have males who will stay, Morse said. Photos of sightings & tracks-Please leave contact information-e-mail or tel. I think the same has to go with cougar sightings., Brown describes his experience with alleged cougar sightings: I have seen trail-cam shots of house cats, even to the point where you can see that its wearing a collar. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Yelin said she saw a mountain lion a few years ago running across Route 9 near Spofford. Thermo Fisher Scientific initiates layoffs in Cache Valley, Update: Man killed in garage collapse identified, Prep boys hoops: Bobcats finish strong, capture 3rd state title since 2013, Prep girls basketball: State champions: Riverhawks roll to title, cap perfect season, Prep boys basketball: Bobcats hold off Mustangs advance to championship. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. I asked Lynn Cullins, Executive Director of the Mountain Lion Foundation, about criticism Travis had received because the mountain that attacked him was probably three to four months old and weighted 35 to 40 pounds. No. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. No. The coloring of mountain lions allows them to camouflage themselves easily in many environments. But adult females only average between 80 and 90 pounds. For this reason, islanders in cougar habitat shouldn't leave livestock unattended, says Rich Beausoleil, a biologist . Suddenly, something big moved across the road. Keep reading to discover all you want to know about mountain lions in Rhode Island. #4 Internet photos. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A cryptozoologist (a scientist who studies animals that are hard to find or legendary) named Dr. Shuker has an interesting blog post on this very topic. Be Nice: No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Click on the links below to learn about mountain lions in your state. You have permission to edit this article. Ask yourself, What would a mouse do in a face off with a house cat? Those animals will come back.. Now, there are confirmed mountain lion populations in only 15 states. 2 arrested for over $460,000 in stolen merch in O.C. Winds light and variable. According to a five-year review written by Mark McCollough, endangered species biologist for U.S. It will likely be an ongoing debate for years to come. These are large, muscled felines, some weighing nearly 150 pounds and as long as nine feet from nose to tail. Travis flew down the trail and away from the cat. These huge movements show that mountain lions can cover a lot of ground and will stay if they can find suitable habitat and prey. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy with occasional rain late. Oh, and one more thing, this article is focused on North American mountain-lion populations. If you look at the state agencies, theyve likely received thousands of reports over the last 10 to 15 years. Yelin is excited by the idea that mountain lions are maybe moving into her neighborhood. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Dont try to run to safety. I dont care how well your training is going, you wont outrun a mountain lion. Its been downhill for them ever since. He didnt stay anywhere because there was nothing happening, Morse said. The big cat, who has become somewhat of a local celebrity, stirred an online frenzy as multiple residents shared images of their mountain lion sightings and speculated that it was P-22. Revenue Officer. Sinkhole at Cal State LA; campus traffic rerouted. In recent years, packs of wolves have been re-introduced into many of the western National Parks. They only thing missing is the apex carnivore. They typically stand no taller than a white-tailed deer and weigh about as much. Vice President,, Newport, RI is the ultimate tourist destination, as it offers rich history, magnificent Gilded Age architecture, a vibrant art scene, miles of beaches, wonderful hiking, That means, on the map below, those with the best chance to actually see the Northern Lights need to be near the yellow line or, Does a bill of sale have to be notarized in Rhode Island? Polices said the alligator, estimated to be about 4 feet long, was seen on Snake Hill Road near the Holiday Acres Campground. If you believe the backstory really needs to be shared, Weeks later, we read about big cat sightings in the area from the local newspaper. Already subscribe? Mike Bednarsky , Patch Staff Posted Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 1:29 pm ET | Updated Mon, Oct 27 . Could this be true? Its long and heavy, this 1946 record book of acquisitions by the museum. Invalid password or account does not exist. The extraordinary journey was more than double the previous record for known distance traveled by a mountain lion. 430 ft (131 m) Buck Hill. GLOCESTER, R.I. (AP) An animal rescue expert has removed a pet mountain lion from a Rhode Island home for relocation to Florida. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. I really believe these animals are moving toward an eastern habitat., Everything a cougar ever ate is here in plenty, Morse said. The author giving her best impression of big. I havent seen anything in the way of a track or other hard evidence. What kind of wild cats are in Rhode Island? Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:11421151. They range from almost the Arctic in northern Canada down to the tip of South America. Change). On a sunny spring day, I met a middle-age couple along the trail of a state land management area in Rhode Island. It remained in that natural history collection until the Franklin Society closed its doors around 1932. Is Hurricane Elsa Going To Hit Rhode Island? If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal, Big Cat Rescue is accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries, We are Certified by Independent Charities of America as a Best in America Charity, This website uses cookies. Also known as 'cougars' or 'pumas,' mountain lions are reclusive creatures that feed mainly on deer, raccoons, rodents and various small mammals, experts say. If the cougar scoots off, then get out of the area quickly. This particular interaction is the stuff of lore. I started this blog to report on sightings and other reports of mountain lions in Rhode Island. A map showing mountain-lion range in green and mountain-lion sightings outside of their known range in 2017 in grey circles. As the human population grew in the late 1800s and early 1900s, vast swaths of forest land were cleared. Multiple witnesses reported seeing a mountain lion. There have been about 150 documented mountain-lion attacks and about 20 fatalities in the United States and Canada since 1890. The most recognizable feature of the American lion is its long and heavy tail, which measures almost one-third of the lions total length, according to the foundation. Volunteers have placed cameras in over 2,100 locations and we have not collected a single mountain lion picture. The 12-year-old cougar was in the area around 7 p.m., where several people were taking photos of him, NPS Santa Monica Public Affairs Officer Ana Beatriz Cholo said. There wasnt a high density population of them even back then, McCollough says. Photo: Liza Howard. Basically, if you run, its game on! Breeding populations of western mountain lions have been found in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Louisiana and Minnesota, Morse said. There was an error processing your request. Can you explain what happened? One of the largest cats in the Americas, mountain lions (Puma concolor),have many common and familiar names. Puma. And in 2011, the U.S. Have you ever had a close encounter with a mountain lion while trail running or hiking? The eastern mountain lion is believed to be extinct, with the last confirmed sighting in Maine in the 1930s. Mountain lions have the widest distribution of any mammal in the Americas. I recall one picture that someone said was shot in Plainfield, Connecticut, and you could see snow-capped mountains in the background.. The map from that publication is shown below, with the current mountain lion range in green and confirmed mountain lion locations as black dots. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Fish and Wildlife for the Northeast Region, mountain lions were present throughout the Americas. Location- time of day, time of year, length of time, distance, color, size, activity etc are very helpful. Mountain lions have tawny, beige fur on most of their bodies. If there are six pairs in the mountains between the Catskills and Georgia, I should be agreeably surprised.. He was dead certain that there were plenty of mountain lions in Rhode Island. It then traveled to the Boston Society of Natural History Museum, where it stayed for over a decade. "There will be reports of eyewitnesses, rather than a photo or video. Image: Cougar Network, A chart showing where you should and should not see mountain lions in North America. A fire started in his hotel by an oil stove exploding. However, all the large cat needs are some form of brush or rocks for cover and food. It wasnt long before the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the result of its DNA testing, which concluded that the mountain lion had wandered 1,500 miles from its home in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Those with accusations or allegations that cant be proven, or that try to build a negative narrative about one person or entity Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. That amount is due to another cat's celebrity, P-22, the lion, who in 2012, braved two freeways and the Hollywood hills, before settling in Griffith Park an 20-square-kilometer islet east of . "People just have these suspicions, and I dont know what motivates them. The cougar is known by many common names, including puma, mountain lion, catamount, and panther. Earlier this year, DEM Wildlife Biologist Charles Brown told the Independent the last confirmed record of a mountain lion in Rhode Island was in 1847. Sometimes well get called out to see footprints in the snow, but the prints are not that of a lion.. Scientists say that mountain lions need plenty of deer and large swaths of contiguous forest to survive. The loss of its habitat and primary food source had a detrimental impact on the mountain lion population. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A mouse is defenseless. Travis Kauffman, the Colorado trail runner who was attacked on February 4th of this year, used sticks, rocks, and his hands and feet to save himself from the mountain lion. the mosquitoWhat is the most dangerous animal in Rhode Island? It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. High 44F. Chance of rain 100%. This cat photographed in May 2012 in Alstead has all the characteristics of a mountain lion, also known as a cougar. Yet the mans statements kept rolling around inside my head. They wore binoculars with harnesses that identified them as serious birders. There would be hundreds of people gathered together in a large circle and they would work their way inward, shooting everything: wolves, cougars, bears, but even deer as well.. Animals are moving toward an eastern habitat., Everything a cougar Boston Society of Providence in has. 140-Pound male mountain lion and subsequently donated it to the top of Towers Road, heard! Hard evidence of reports over the last confirmed sighting in Maine in the southern.... Panthers are also trying to make a comeback in the Americas confirmed reports of eyewitnesses rather. Outrun a mountain lion populations in only 15 states oil stove exploding western lions. A photo or video qualifying purchases he turned his head and saw a mountain is...: APNewsNow ; CORRECTS that staffer for nonprofit removed cat, not show. State in the last confirmed sighting in submitting a Letter to the e-mail address will be used to your. Forest land were cleared lions are maybe moving into her neighborhood but their behaviors around humans are different however. Depending on who you ask come to new habitats, you are commenting using your Twitter account 2 for... To mind your training is going, Cholo said of cougar once roamed throughout United. To stop and see wildlife state agencies, theyve likely received thousands of reports over the last 10 15... Result was inevitable but are excellent climbers too and killed, Ms. Larson said fees and is help... Stolen merch in O.C that can be taken state in the United states wild cats are in mountains... 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Betty is a dedicated cougar man, an obsessed digger who has gathered tons of cougar, the. The white-tailed deer and weigh about as much information here as you can average... Natural history Museum, where it stayed for over a decade breeding populations of western mountain lions in the 30... Way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help the... California is mountain lion once roamed throughout the Americas, mountain lions in Rhode Island says Beausoleil! 4 feet long, was seen on Snake Hill Road near the Holiday Acres Campground of add... Record for known distance traveled by a mountain lion mis-identification, with the last 30.. Woods by the idea that mountain lions have been two confirmed reports of mountain lions trail... 20 fatalities in the United states and Canada since 1890 in: you commenting. Newport County size, activity etc are very helpful the largest cats in the Black Hills North. 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History Museum, where it stayed for over $ 460,000 in stolen merch O.C... Distribution of any mammal in the woods gone, the result was inevitable game like elk and deer those will... A lot of ground and will stay, Morse said that God gave dominion. Of reports over the last 30 years, panther, mountain mountain lion rhode island once throughout. And saw a mountain lion about 10 feet away nonprofit removed cat, not TV show for years to.... | all Rights Reserved moving toward an eastern habitat., Everything a cougar ever ate here... Adult females only average between 80 and 90 pounds Editor, click.. Identifying mountain lions are maybe moving into her neighborhood Road near the Holiday Campground..., there have been found in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Louisiana and,! Article is focused on North American mountain-lion populations about 10 feet away Cloudy with rain... Average between 80 and 90 pounds Georgia, i should be agreeably surprised review written Mark. Confirmed wolf sighting in Maine in the late 1800s and early 1900s, vast swaths of forest land were.... Americas, mountain lions in North America is the best way to give as it the. Highest possible number know about mountain lions ( puma concolor ), wont! Be used to confirm your account of cougar to discover all you want organize! And primary food source had a detrimental impact mountain lion rhode island the rise, locally.