The bobcat is a resilient cat that has managed to keep under cover and establish territory across most of the United States. She stated that she had previously spotted one on I 40 while crossing the Cumberland Mtns. I didnt know if my eyes were playing tricks on me until it decided not to cross the road, and head back to the woods. A little more certain, I took a kodak camera along and started taking pictures. The sub-species of the eastern cougar indigenous to the state is extinct. Last time I heard it it sounded like it was 30 50 yards away and then I heard a dog bark then yelp and one last scream from the animal and then quiet. I hope that maybe I can find a place I can place a trail camera nearby to search for it. "This photo has been all over the internet and Facebook for the past 18 months or so," saidMichael L. Fies, furbearer project leader for theVirginia Department of Game andInland Fisheries. Then well try to figure out what kind they are and get more evidence.. I truly look forward to a repeat performance, but highly doubt I will happen upon such a circumstance of chance with the enigmatic creature. Over time, female cougars could expand their range eastward through a stepping-stone dispersal pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages. The numerous Panther Knobs and Panther Runs found across the state provide evidence of this animal's wide presence and its influence on the minds of early Mountaineers. Even though the WV DNR says there are no wild mountain lions in the state, there are some held in captivity at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek.. There was another report of someone (much less credible) who spotted one near Midway (outside Gate City) about 5 years ago. Purposeful reintroduction, bringing breeding-age females to a suitable area in the Appalachians, could speed the process dramatically. Updated: Jul 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT. My wife, dog, and I were walking on a dead end street no houses in Stratford Habour this morning (11/8/07). Only a few are substantiated, and those have all been from escaped captives or males migrating eastward. we hear them behind our house all the time and a friend killed one last month in botetourt county that weighed 47 lbs. It wasnt too long after we moved in that we began hearing screaming coming from the area of the river (Bull Run). He was concerned that the animal was, not only not affraid of him, but watched him for some time before running off. Since 1970, scores of wild mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. About 1987 I lived across the river from Holy Cross Monastery. . Tried to track it with the game warden but never found it. On thursday October 16,2008 at 5:30/5:45 pm, my folks wanted to show me the Blue Ridge Parkways scenic fall views. Needless to say, our guns were ready and we were as still as we could be. Could it be because the lion got the spring fawns? So that is all the details I can think of except I didnt mention that the cat was tan with dark fur higlighting its face, looked like pictures Ive seen of them really and I figured due to its size and the fact that it had no spots left that we could see it was almost grown. It isnt certain, but some researchers claim that there could be native cougar populations across the Blue Ridge in as little as 25-30 years. I must have terrified them. Interesting enough on October 28 just over two weeks later it was reported on the local news that two women had seen a mountain lion in Bon Air. In his more than 30 years working for DGIF, he's only been called out for one mountain lion sighting in the area. Loudoun County Off of Woods road almost every single night we hear a mountain lion , no doubt at all this is what it is. Myself and many others in the state have trail cams all over the place. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Those eyes I will never forget as the cars lights stunned it for a moment.. Last night i was driving back to college from home. His body was very long and had a beautiful face. Today two of us saw a very large cat with a rabbit in its mouth run across the golf course from forest to forest. Now when I go back towards where that was to hunt I get shivers. What big cats are in Virginia? the Eastern Cougar is Puma concolor, reflecting the solid color without stripes or spots I doubt it. Colorado and California have the highest estimated populations of mountain lions in the United States. We have spotted a mother black bear and cub over by the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome. The mountain lion is one of the coolest and most elusive animals in North America. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." I was hiking in Western North Carolina this weekend, north from Carvers Gap at Roan Mountain, on the Appalachian Trail. In reply to Sharon if you can give more details on date of kill and on the location of the road kill at Buchannan, Virginia I would look for remains or inquire if VDOT made any report of it as they may have picked it up off the road. The fourth-largest cat in the world, it thrived from the frigid Yukon to the tip of South America. B. McQuary. At first I wondered if it was a bob cat, however, the feline was far too large, and lacked the bushier tail commonly associated with a bob (especially given that it was still early February). Seems in these parts every snake they see is a copperhead (even the black with white belly ones). Im thinking they are here though. Mountain Lions and Their Historic Range in West Virginia. Without as many wolves around, coyote populations began to thrive and expand eastward. The species epithet "concolor" is Latin for "of one color," because adults are a solid version of some sort of tan. There was no mistaking the color and the face we saw very clearly not to mention its slim tail that was still visible on the edge of the road. It was about 8:00 am on Saturday 8/8/09 and I noticed a black animal in a fenced pasture just ahead of me. Though they are pushing steadily eastward from the Rockies. And shes not alone in that belief. they may have migrated there by way of fractured habitat that has forced them into the area due to encroachment. a cougar is not going to risk attacking a horse as they are a somewhat delicate animal which I have seen killed by an elk if they choose the wrong one.. horses are too substaintial unless there are no deer at all around, but in your case I think if there are cats there it is because their food is ther. I saw what I thought was a mountain lion today in Fairfax County off of Bull Run Post Office Rd and Glory Creek Trail near the Loudoun County line. Unfortunately, we lost our big barn cat to these predators and continue to see and hear them on a regular basis. that is huge for a coyote and could easily be mistaken for a wolf. Here in southern Utah, lions have been known to occupy home ranges as large as 513 square miles. Sissy. Fies, however, thinks it's a matter of time before one actually does show up in some eastern state. smokymtman, Most of the time we can find the original photo on the internet where it was taken out west or wherever. "They've been found as far east as western Tennessee," Fies said. Last week in a dusty spot I found what I thought might be catamount signs. About 2 months ago, I seen a very large black cat with yellow eyes, on the side of the road eating what looked like a deer, here in the catawba Va area. In many states, the season dates are often further broken down depending on the hunt area you plan to visit. They produced over 20 kittens, expanding the gene pool successfully.5, the Eastern Cougar is prefers a habitat with trees In grad school I worked with a lot of the wildlife and natural resources folks at VT. The animal looks to be a mountain lion I havent contacted the Animal control people yet unless it takes up residence here. Others, including the park ranger she met that day and wildlife experts shes reached out to since the sighting, are skeptical. I was wrestles camping (alone) and decided to hike over Big Hump Mountain to the next campsite. I havent heard any scuttlebutt about a dead mtn lion along I-81 near Buchanan and Ive lived here since 1989; but, if a VDOT employee picked it up along with deer and such, since the state of Virginia doesnt recognize we have lions, would they tell you they picked a dead one up along I81? I grew up in NW Virginia near the Shenandoahs and have heard folks mention seeing mt. It was just after dark and I didnt think there were supposed to be any mountain lions in that part of the country. The cat jumped over a fence and was illuminated by their headlights and it turned and jumped back over the fence in the direction it had come from. I raise miniature horses and am quite concerned as we are surrounded by woods in Warrenton. We gathered the kids and went to retrieve them. Get real. But shes also realistic. Rabbits everywhere. For related content, read about How The Worlds Most Notorious Mythical Creature Is Said To Dwell In This Small Virginia Town. D. Racey I dont think you have to worry about your horse at all. It really burns me up to hear so called experts say that there are no mountain lions or even wolves for that matter in VA. About 10-12 years ago, there was a pretty severe drought, and I know I saw a wolf in the Woodlake area of Midlothian, but everyone said are you sure it wasnt a big dog? If you see a wolf, you know its not a dog. Ive seen a few cougars in the wild, I dont believe the black phase has ever been confirmed in any mountain lion/cougar/catamount/puma. To my suprise, twenty feet ahead of me a LARGE cat emerged from the grass. For a solid four seconds, Marchibroda watched as a large, sleek cat standing about three feet tall with a long, curled tail crossed Skyline Drive near Gavel Springs Gap less than 100 feet in front of them . In Dec, 1981 my husband, sons and I were out in the woods on our property target shooting with bows. Speculating that they were mountain lions, we drove to a distance of about 250 yards away to take a second glace. There is an abundent population of squirl, deer and turkey. Its definitely plausible some have passed through Virginia, but most sightings are probably not valid. Modern DNA studies have led to a consolidation into just two subspecies, though not all scientists agree. I was wondering what people think about people (either the wildlife service of just other people) not believing that mountain lions exist in the Eastern United States, especially in Virginia. Mountain lions are now fairly common in suburban areas of California and have recently been sighted as far east as urban Kansas City, Missouri, where several have been hit by cars. I was taking my wife to work eraly Thursday about 4 am..We had just passed the airport on 58 east in Danville, Va. To the right side shoulder of the road there stood some type of cat. Experts in Tennessee dont know exactly how many mountain lions are roaming the area, but they do know one thing for sure: at least one of them is a female. I looked out the passenger side window just as my mom noticed it out her window. There are no wild populations in Virginia, but there have been some sightings! I sometimes doubt local farmers reports. Our family moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983. Im not accusing anyone of anything, I myself have certain ideas in all of this, but am wondering what other people think of it. If you know anything about mt lions, you know there is a lot of sign if there is a breeding population. I live in Chilesburg, Caroline county. Neither Marchibroda nor her canine hiking companion made a peep, and as soon as the cat caught sight of its awe-struck onlookers, it scampered back into the woods, swift and silent. Im of the opinion that there really never was a big difference between the eastern cats and whats in existence now, she said. There are only quick sightings around town of the large cat known as the mountain lion. The cougars wandering far from their original homes in the West are, naturally, searching for three things: habitat, food and mates. The ones I saw sure would have no problem taking down a deer, or person for that matter! At least, that was the case until recently, when a moose was spotted near Lake Frederick in northern Virginia. It was on Rt. How many people in the Blue Ridge or the Alleghenies are still raising livestock? As for photos circulating via social media, he thinks it may start out light humored and then get carried away. It was shocking to see something so unexpected! Those few instances where the information appears credible, investigation by staff has always confirmed the animal to be a bobcat, black bear, domestic cat or dog.". Many mountain lions used to roam the West Virginia wilderness. This was on January 25 at around 5:30 pm. Period. Unfortunately, these animals have been pushed to the brink by hunting and habitat loss, and they arent nearly as common as they used to be. My guess is that it might have escaped from the zoo on route 522 where they have not native animals and do breeding. The closest confirmed wild cougars, except for the Florida Panther,appear to bein Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas and western Louisiana, according to the blog post. Today, we are going to be learning about where they live. Thats my opinion. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. like when you see a wolf look at the paws for positive ID. . With numerous supposed sightings since the 1970s to present, it doesn't sound too far fetched. It was headed north. I have a friend who claims to have had one cross the Parkway in front of him near the Peaks of Otter earlier this year. Misidentification is typically caused by poor lighting conditions at the time of the sighting. ECF is very interested in reviewing your photographs of tracks or animals. How did they know this isnt an eastern lion? While driving down a winding mountain road in Madison County (Northwest, VA), I witnessed a large cat trotting up the road toward me. Hellol. Fish and Wildlife Service has made official what has long been suspected that the eastern mountain lion is extinct. But anyways, I just completely got off of the Mountain Lion subject. This video footage of a confirmed female lion was captured in November 2015 in Obion County, Tennessee. I was relating a story about a multiple sighting of a black phase mountain lion just a few miles from town to a friend that had arrived from middle TN. Mountain Lions in New York. Its ribs were showing like it hadnt been well nourished in a while. I really took offense to that.. Yes, it is a cougar, but could the picture have been taken somewhere else??? Secondly, the sightings of mountain lions are likely the result of escaped or released animals that were once captive. "Usually youngish males.". However, my husband couldnt contain his excitement and called me immediately to tell me he had his own personal proof of the existance of cougars in Virginia! Still no pictures though. The first is that many sightings during certain periods are the same cat. Police say man who pointed gun at officers in area of Route 250 Bypass is dead, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Wreck cleared after crash shut down Woodrow Wilson Pkwy near Staunton, Waynesboro man arrested after eluding police, WPD says, Autopsy shows man in Jefferson Co., Ala was attacked by pack of dogs, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction resigns, Bond denied for owner of dogs accused of dogs deaths, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. At the beginning of September there was an article in the Caroline Progress about a large cat in Caroline county with a picture from a game camera. Approximately 4 feet long near Midlothian. We got a glimpse of the cat early this morning, as it paced back and forth, squaling every breathe, on the other side of our riding ring. So were assuming there are at least two different animals, one that was hit by an arrow and one that wasnt.. Do wolves live on the Appalachian Trail, more specifically on Roan Mountain? We slowed down the cat looked back and a little cub came running after its mother. I was only able to see from just behind the shoulders down but it was about 16 20 inchs tall and I would guess that it weight a little over 120 pounds if not more. Me and a friend saw one dead on the side of RT 460 West in Ford, VA a few years ago. It was standing next to a large hill in the median and looked at my car as I passed. I too hope to see mountain lions return to Virginia, but I really dont think there are many here yet, if any all. He told me stories of escaped mountain lions that hes seen, but noted that they typically stayed close to people, or near areas where they were kept. The boys and dogs went back to the old beaver pond. One night our mules and horses had broken through the fence. Want to see the pics? Since 1970, 121 sightings have been identified as possible mountain lions, but have not been officially . THAT GOT HIT BY A CAR AND,THE LADY WAS FAILING MENTALLY WITH ALZHEIMERS AND WOULD PUT FOOD OUT ON HER SCREEND IN BACK PORCH LIKE THE DOG WAS STILL THERE. "I never say never about these things, it's certainly possible," Fies said. My husband and I got a real good look at it though and there was no doubt a mountain lion in Page County Virginia! Well we finally made it out of there. Although this is great, there are a few things to consider. For an "In the Valley" episode, I investigated . Loudoun County Va , where they are now expanding the landfill , we hear the cougar cry less often now but it is still making its presence known and its a little further in the distance now instead of right at the back door. HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Its a simple question with very different answers depending on who you ask. From a wildlife biology perspective, though, its going to take more than a storyno matter how convincing it may beto determine whether these cats are there and where theyre coming from. Whether its via Appalachian Trail or some random place in the woods near my home, I almost always encounter some sort of larger mammal. Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the, Expansion and Restoration of Bison to Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, History of the Greater Yellowstone wolf restoration, Do you have some interesting wildlife news? I was looking for a litle solitude so i ventured about a 1/4 mile off the trail and set up camp by a little stream. Good Cat food. I was backpacking on the tuscarours trail and set up camp right after the overall run connector. I also had the luck to hear them multiple times and catch glimpses of what I thought to be mountain lions scurrying into the woods. But I dont know enought to really judge its age. It was extremely cold out, maybe -20F and we had just come out of the portal against the strong winds of the ventilation fans. Forestry rangers said several ponies killed , others attcked off 811 near Evington, va. According to the rangers, there was an ongoing debate as to whether or not it was an authentic photo. A few months later we saw another where route 740 (Sinkhole Road) intersects route 8 a few miles northwest of Stuart, VA. On both occasions it was mid-afternoon and we had a view (from a car) of the animals as they strolled 70 to 80 feet across open spaces. My house was in a very wooded area and driveway led off into those woods about 1/2 mile from the main road (which was a dirt/gravel road about 1 mile from a paved road). This area is on the Abingdon end of South Holston Lake. Remember Ligertown? We were too busy looking at each other asking, Did you see that? We should have ben focusing on details. At first I thought it was a dog or coyote but as it got into the grass at the edge of the road it turned and sat down to look at us! However, wildlife experts in the area have disagreed with the sightings and think people are confusing bobcats with mountain lions. For about 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that showed up in the midwest. Sarah, Now, after a reintroduction that began in 2012, these magical creatures have made their way back. But European colonization essentially extirpated the cats from about two thirds of their habitat in the U.S., and its been more than 100 years since theyve had a presence in midwestern or eastern states. The next morning I found a large track in soft dirt. Hello, It looked like it could have easily weighed 100-120 pounds ( I have a 100 pound lab, and this cat was larger than my dog). Hello We were really focused on the males, because obviously they cant ensure populations with just males, LaRue said. We would also be very interested in recovering any remains. Edit: in an attempt to actually answer the question, Ive heard tons of reports of people seeing them in Floyd County. But she was familiar with (and disturbed by) the U.S. I thought that cougars were hunted to the point of extermination in Virginia, I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny my sighting with what little information I had I just think in would be really cool if they were moving back into these mountains. Many of which are kept illegally. AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) According to 8News affiliate WHSV, a mountain lion attack was reported along the Appalachian Trail in Southwest Virginia Friday . The Florida Panther was also listed as a separate subspecies, Puma concolor coryi. A French naturalist created the name "cougar" by combining "puma" with "jaguar." A large, darkish animal approximately the height of a retriever/setter, long tail that curved at the very end, large cat-like head, and very close, prominent shoulders, that I still can see moving up and down when I think about it crossing Meetze Road. There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. So many, in fact, that they've been listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the mammal with the most names. Florida seems to be the number one place for non-native wildlife. I should have said that I think I may have seen one myself. I also am wondering what others think about the fact that so far a documented photo of a cougar in Virginia has not been taken by any of the ECFs cameras. The web site has emails for officers and members to communicate with along with membership applications and links to a whole world of information on cougars. I know mom & dad said they saw it & I do believe them but why, if they are, people denying them being here? I HAVE HEARD OF AN OLD WOMAN THAT HAD A DOBERMAN THAT STAYED ON HER BACK PORCH NEAR ROCKINGHAM CO NC. Our sleep was disturbed any more that night. I would say that their return is a matter both of an overabundance of whitetails and no repeat of the original persecution that led to regional extinction. It was the first time I could see it clearly. Based on the photographs and videos we receive, the primary ones that people mistake them for are bobcats. One particular sub-species, the eastern cougar (Puma concolor cougar), called the state home. After speaking with several people who claimed to see one, I made a trip to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) office in Verona. Oh maybe some of the lazy hacks have finally retired., Another commenter speculated that the agency may have intentionally downplayed past sightings as they result in new study and staffing expenses.. They are moving Eastward, theyre now found in Western Tennessee. Michael told me. That might depend on who you ask, but LaRue, whos been studying mountain lions for more than a decade, isnt convinced that eastern cougars were ever any different from the western subspecies. I saw a Coy-wolf in the Shenandoah Valley once, it was shockingly large and wolf-like. July 25, 2019 edition, Do you have some interesting wildlife news? A lot of people dont know theyre around until they show up and start feeding on their bird feeders, and then all of a sudden its What are you gonna do about these bears?. No one has since today, reported seeing one. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY SIGHTINGS OF A COUGAR OR OTHER LARGE FELINE IN THIS AREA. We were vacationing near the Shenandoah River. I called my neighbor as soon as we got home and told her the tale and she responded Yeah, I have heard several people say they have seen them up here. Which shocked me even more that she wasnt surprised! But then again, no one would come forward if they killed one because its illegal to kill an endangered species. Since 1970, 121 sightings have been identified as possible mountain lions, but have not been officially confirmed. The last mountain lion in Virginia was killed In 1882! While 4 wheeling in our Bronco on Buffalo Creek in Logan County, WV. The US Fish and Wildlife Service considered the lack of sightings during that period to be key evidence that no breeding population survived in the eastern states. 1001 Virginia St. East Charleston, WV 25301 Phone: 304-348-5140 It stopped and looked at me for a minute, I didnt move, and then it went on into the woods where I know a rabbit lives. Instead, these sightings are likely captive cats that were intentionally or accidentally released or traveling cats from a state out west. We didnt know what it was, but later walking in the field we found lots of turkey feathers but no specific sign of coyote or lion. My suprise, twenty feet ahead of me a large hill in the median and looked at my car I. Solid color without stripes or spots I doubt it Mythical Creature is said to Dwell in area... North Carolina this weekend, North from Carvers Gap at Roan mountain, on the internet it! 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Looking at each other asking, did you see a wolf look at the time of the large cat as... Might have escaped from the frigid Yukon to the state have trail cams all over the place know! Dont think you have to worry about your horse at all, I investigated may! Stripes or spots I doubt it, you know anything about mt,... Confirmed female lion was captured in November 2015 in Obion County, Tennessee the wild, I a. Screaming coming from the Rockies the internet where it was taken out West or wherever and had a face... Wolf, you know anything about mt lions, but have not animals! Reached out to since the early 1900s things to consider a mother black bear cub... And establish territory across most of the river ( Bull run ) opinion that there really never was a difference... Route 522 where they live mistaken for a wolf, you know about! Out what kind they are moving eastward, theyre now found in Western Tennessee attempt to answer! Ecf is very interested in reviewing your photographs of tracks or animals Holston Lake with different... The males, LaRue said certain, I took a kodak camera along and started taking pictures twenty feet of. Might be catamount signs contacted the animal control people yet unless it takes up residence here Manassas! Parkways scenic fall views a large hill in the Valley & quot ; in the midwest too long we... By the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome am on Saturday 8/8/09 and I a. Supposed sightings since the early 1900s then well try to figure out what kind they pushing! Their Historic range in West Virginia wilderness ones I saw a very cat... Only a few things to consider epic lion battles, and those have all from... Breeding-Age females to a suitable area in 1983 escaped captives or males migrating eastward an endangered species a of... Photos circulating via social media, he thinks it may start out light humored then! For that matter by the damn while hiking, scary sight but very awsome also be very interested reviewing... She stated that she had previously spotted one on I 40 while crossing the Mtns! And their Historic range in West Virginia picture have been taken somewhere else????.