Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. Petersen quotes local nature guide Kathi Livingston, 'I know they say the cougars we see are escaped or released. Since then, there have been more sightings, but none of them have been confirmed. This mountain sits near the border of South Carolina and North Carolina. Currently, experts are adamant that there is no known mountain lion population in South Carolina. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kameron Peresnovich. There has never been a confirmed or documented case of a melanistic mountain lion in the United States. It was not a matter of fight or flight with him; rather, he had no interest in being gawked at in daylight hours by a motorist. Contributed by John Garton, SCWF Board Member Emeritus. Only government bureaucrats could come up with a twist of logic like that. Published February 18, 2023 at 8:01 AM EST. From Mauldin to McClellanville, folks are coming forward to report their own sightings of the phantom panther. I assumed it was a cat.'. Despite this, S.C. Department of Natural Resources spokesman Greg Lucas said the department gets at least one call a month from people claiming to have seen one of the big cats. Where Mountain Lions Live. Jaguars and leopards, on the other hand, have a gene that occurs in six percent of the population that causes black cats. Usually a shy cat, the cougar prefers to stalk its prey and is rarely ever a threat to people. Just as armadillo sightings and occasional crocodile visits are being noted around our coast, it's possible, that the Florida panther has made his way north, too. Note: A number of other species all over the world have been declared extinct, only to be rediscovered, having survived in a very tiny population that was out of sight long enough to assume them extinct. This tail is a distinctive feature of mountain lions, but . "Many of these deaths have occurred in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. Its happening all across the state.. The eastern cougar, however, was declared extinct in 2011. Or could it? If the sighting could have possibly been something else, then the state cannot confirm it as a mountain lion. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. A Florida panther in South Carolina? Nikolay Kapustin, deputy zoo administrator and veterinarian at the Greenville Zoo, said the prints, which measure 2.5 inches long, are likely coyote tracks. The only established population of wild cats in South Carolina is the bobcat, which is not very large in the least. When there is a suspicion that some type of big cat has been spotted, he said the likeliest culprit is a western cougar that has escaped captivity as someones pet. Koehler called several neighbors, but they couldnt explain the barking. (You know, like the mascot of the NFL team based in Charlotte). Our students develop intellectually from a challenging and supportive academic experience and, through high-impact, real-world experiences and mentoring, graduate ready for accelerated career and community impact. Old-timers there used to point out the bear pits where their ancestors trapped black bears for their pelts. You will receive your first email soon. Such conditions exist within Point Reyes National Seashore. Only 14 red wolves remain in the wild half the number that were out there a year ago. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. Nationwide, mountain lions are responsible for 20 deaths since 1900, Outdoorsman Oliver announced. But if so, are there mountain lions in North Carolina? The city of Simpsonville has also received calls about mountain lions over the years, according to Colleen Jenkins, an animal code enforcement officer for the city. "Since 1890 there have been 19 fatal Mountain Lion attacks in Canada and the United States," Mattson said. A few years after the attack, the panther was pronounced extinct in the region. They brought them to South Carolina in 1500. Mountain lions, which are also called cougars, pumas, and sometimes panthers, once roamed from coast to coast. The last known living Eastern Cougar was sighted and suspected to have been killed in 1938. Apparently, there may not ever have even been a subspecies of the critter in the East different from its big cat cousins in the West also called mountain lions the agency goes on to report. In the interest of gathering credible mountain lion sightings when mountain lions actually arrive in the east the research team here at eMammal has put together a guide to identifying mountain lions. Yet "domestic coyotes are responsible for 20 deaths every year." "The actual threat to people by . I can tell you they werent from your everyday dog or house cat.. Whether theyre called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, breeding population in the western U.S and, according to both the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, transient western cougars have been spotted in both states since 2015. Heres how that came about: People go to a pet store and buy a baby cougar. Some say that the panther is a silent assassin and that he and his mate share their bounty. The big cats once roamed the entire Southeast but were decimated by hunting. A Duncan, South Carolina, woman recently encountered a mountain lion while hunting and captured the intense standoff between her and the animal on camera.Watch the full video below or here. However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. Lucas said that although there is a possibility western cougars could eventually make their way to the western Carolinas, the chances of someone having an encounter with one are extremely small. Theres just no scientific documentation to back that up.. I was shocked when I first saw the prints, because they were so big, said Claes. I do not believe that South Carolina has a free-ranging wild cougar population, said Butfiloski. So rather than a unique species, the Eastern Cougar was a distinct variation within the cougar population that roamed throughout North America. Therefore, your odds of seeing a mountain lion are extremely low. Bobcats, Lynx rufus, one of six cat species native to the United States, can be found in each of the lower 48 states, including all of South Carolina. By the 1960s, mountain lions dwindled in the western states but managed to survive into the 21st century. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long ago named for panthers or the colloquial term "painters," both common names in this part of the country for the cougar. While these cats are too small to threaten most people, they can sometimes hunt small livestockchickens are the most common victims. He points to Florida where, despite a known population of less than 200, several Florida panthers are killed every year by vehicles. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources receives at least 100 calls a year about mountain lions, according to SCDNR biologist Jay Butfiloski. In windy or mountainous areas, Elbroch says air horns are great tools to throw off a cat's focus and deter them from . South Carolinians are likely seeing something, even if its not a mountain lion. North Carolina. Subscribe today! #1 The tail. UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: Cougar, Puma or Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Felidae. Speaking of Florida, the Florida Panther is actually a subspecies of the . The DNR stays on top of managing it for us, and for that were grateful. 3300 Poinsett Highway Complete index of all the wonderful cat breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your furry friend is a crucial decision, We love our cats, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Understanding cat behavior can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, Complete index of all the wonderful dog breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your four legged friend is a crucial decision, We love our dogs, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Training your dog can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, The most complete list of dog food recalls, The most complete list of cat food recalls. The Eastern puma more commonly called a cougar around here has been declared extinct. Butfiloski said SCDNR would likely be eligible for federal money to study mountain lions and protect and manage lands for the presence of them if they actually appeared. "Essentially we really are correcting something that listed a species despite its having gone extinct many, many decades ago, even before the Endangered Species Act was even enacted in 1973, Meaghan Racey with the Fish and Wildlife Service said. The only established large cat is the bobcat in South Carolina. Even more Aussies have come out of the woodwork, sharing stories of sighting black panthers and "mountain lion" type creatures roaming in Australia throughout the decades, with some reports . When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. Although an occasional large cat being kept as a pet may escape from captivity, there has been no evidence of a reproducing population of cougars in the state. Many people claimtheyre actually seeing a black mountain lion, but there has never been a mountain lion that has been seen, killed, or bred in captivity that is black,according to Perry. SCDNR has yet to receive a report of drivers hitting a mountain lion, said Butfiloski. Can Cats Eat Kale? Furman biology professor and cougar expert Travis Perry says it's possible for mountain lions to travel great distances, but it's not very likely they've traveled to our state. Jaguars, which are primarily found in South America, have established a small population in Mexico and occasionally cross over into Arizona or New Mexico, according to Perry. Whether alumni of Furman, the parent of a Furman alumni or a friend of Furman, we consider everyone who supports this institution a member of the Furman family. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Cats need enough food within their territory to survive, so their ranges will be based on where food is located in the areasome may have territory that stretches over 40 acres. It was big and muscular. Although gone from the eastern US (except Florida), the cougar is doing well throughout much of the western US, and is a game animal in many locations. Listen 3:52. Well-known naturalist Dennis Chastain of Pickens says theres no doubt that there are cougars (pumas/mountain lions) in the woods and wild places of South Carolina. As to relocating cougars from the West to the East to control deer overpopulation, Chastain doesnt think thats a good idea. But the Eastern mountain lion, the . This feline is a close relative to the Lynx, which roams further up north. The last confirmed sighting of the subspecies, "once the most widely roaming mammal in the New World" according to the federal government, was in 1938. Greenville Journal. They are most active around dawn and dusk, though they will technically come out at any time. This species is also known to hunt and potentially kill domesticated felines. Except for a very small population in Florida, there are no known groups in the Southeast, or east of the Mississippi in all truthfulness.. You may try donating it to a zoo, but not many zoos are looking for cougars. . DO NOT PLAY DEAD. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. Flickr/Ken McMillan. You have permission to edit this article. Some accounts from people in places like Travelers Rest and Simpsonville involve only sightings. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. By Edmund Duncan May 31, 2022. In an instant my senses said 'Bobcat.' We Inform. Anyway, two years ago in August I was driving down on the highway south of Ashboro & think I seen [sic] a dead one on the side of the road by mile marker 51.Long tail, all black but I couldn't see the head. In 2007, Katie Araujo, a Paris Mountain resident, said she came face to face with a large black cat while sitting on her front porch. South Carolinas collection of exotic pets includes mountain lions, tigers, and other big cat species, according to Butfiloski. Located in: Saluda Mountains. As a territorial species, these cats do not live close to each other. Bobcats are an elusive species. As of right now, there is a 0 recorded population of mountain lions living in New York. The dogs barked for several minutes, so I thought they had maybe treed some sort of animal,he said. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Their bobbed tail is one of their most distinguishing features. Like the Carolina parakeet, the predator cat couldn't cope with spreading civilization encroaching upon its feeding fields. There's no question there are some. Andrew Moore of theGreenville Journalpens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. If attacked, fight back. Bobby, Brenda and Zack were doing what every child did- they were playing in the woods. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. All Rights Reserved. I think many people just get excited when trail cameras or videos reveal an animal in the woods.. They do have a tail, but it is only about 6 to 8 inches long. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011. Are you thoroughly confused? I listened to bobcats, coyotes, and all kinds of other animals. But he says having a few of them roaming the woods is a good thing. Adult males may be more than 8 feet long (from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail), and can weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. Use anything at your disposal: a stick, rock, or better yet, bear spray. You probably won't find a mountain . Paddling Through The Hidden Wadboo Creek Is A Magical South Carolina Adventure That Will Light Up Your Soul, This Rustic Shack Restaurant In South Carolina Serves Up Heaping Helpings Of Seafood, Open For More Than Half A Century, Dining At Tonys Pizzalicious In South Carolina Is Always A Timeless Experience, Cool Off Under A Waterfall At This South Carolina Hotel, Some Of The Worst Drivers In The Nation Are Found In Three Top Cities In South Carolina According To A New Study, Step Inside A 1790s Ghost Town To See The Rubble That Remains Of Pinckneyville, South Carolina, Sip Wine And Mingle With Ghosts In One Of South Carolinas Oldest, Most Haunted Bars, Most People Dont Know About South Carolinas Deadly Tornado Alley. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. Nearby City: Chestnut Springs. Then, rather than establish a territory like they would in the West where they are far more numerous, they adopt "a vagabond strategy and roam an area of hundreds of square miles, Chastain said. CHARLESTON Four endangered red wolves have returned to the birthplace of South Carolina, going on display in a zoo where their species freely roamed more than 300 years ago. But the population decreased in the 1900s as wild lands were cleared for agriculture and game hunting increased. He paused on the side of the road. It was a little too big to be a bobcat.. Their beige or tawny fur helps camouflage them in countless environments. South Carolina can probably expect to see one in the next decade given the rate at which these lions are showing up east and north of their established ranges, said Perry. Lucas, of DNR, concurs that the black panther is a myth. Usually, this is a result of their food sources being destroyed or the use of rat poison. The Goddard School opens Woodruff Road location in Greenville, City of Greenville to temporarily close a portion of Academy Street on March 6, Simpsonville City Council Notes: Road resurfacing projects delayed until 2024, Greer City Council Notes: Mayfield Road subdivision plans withdrawn, plus new fire station gets early approval, Greenville Chamber highlights community strengths at annual meeting, Greenville-Pickens Speedway listed for sale as an industrial park, Photos: Coca-Cola mural in West End removed, Former Fountain Inn flour mill redevelopment project breaks ground. So if there arent any Eastern cougars to be protected, it seems there wont be any need to worry about protecting their habitat anymore. Lets muddy the water a little more. Cougars are known to have a long-range, especially males. Luckily, the big cats probably wont pose a serious threat to public safety when they do appear in South Carolina, according to Butfiloski. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Mountain lions do not currently have an established population in South Carolina. Greenville, SC 29613. And verified mountain lion photos and road kill carcasses are slowly but surely appearing in various states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. More likely these sightings are dogs, bears or even house cats.. Whether you're interested in becoming a Lion or Leo, or requesting service from a club, this is the place to do it. While out in mountain lion country (which is, frankly, most of Arizona), keep these tips in mind. The back story on why the myth or truth of the existence of Eastern cougars/pumas is consequential comes from Tennessee. We want to connect with you to know your story and learn more about all you will contribute to the Furman community. Visit his Web site at www.historyslostmoments.com. He believes people who reported seeing black panthers were seeing animals either at early dawn or late dusk, when colors are hard to disginguish. "In South Carolina and in the wildlife community, there is no debate" about the presence of cougars in the east, Lucas said. Do not turn your back. The eastern cougar historically lived from Maine to South Carolina and from Michigan to Tennessee, the wildlife service said. Butfiloski, however, believes black panther sightings are likely black coyotes, bears, bobcats, and other wild animals. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Hurricane Irma: Lowcountry animals moved to the Upstate, Kumar the orangutan escapes Greenville Zoo exhibit - again, Wandering South Carolina elk 'rules the roost' at new home in Charles Towne Landing. They did at one point, but the last one was spotted in the early 1900s. South Dakota - South Dakota is home to mountain lions. The last panther in the Great Smoky Mountains was dead. The thespians were nearly the stars of a Greek tragedy that day. The subspecies as described in 1946 was declared extinct by the U.S. This feline only gets to about . (Dr. Thomas B. Horton is a history teacher at Porter-Gaud School. Should I Worry? I know what I heard that afternoon, he said. By This Florida population, once down to about 50 animals, is now thought to be back in excess of 100 animals as a positive result of recovery plans. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? The big cat was captured after roaming free for two days. Contact: (855) 411-0505. Therefore, they are not usually considered a threat to people. Instead, Lucas said the majority of sightings are likely misidentification of other animals like bears, coyotes or large dogs. Thats when he started comparing animal calls online. "There's just no scientific documentation to back that up." . Says Perry, Except for a very small population in Florida, there are no known groups [of mountain lions] in the Southeast, or east of the Mississippi in all truthfulness. Read on to learn exactly what people might be spying in the woods. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) The year was 1961. But Im not sure well ever see an established breeding population., Simpsonville City Council Notes: Road resurfacing projects delayed until 2024, Greer City Council Notes: Mayfield Road subdivision plans withdrawn, plus new fire station gets early approval, Greenville Chamber highlights community strengths at annual meeting, Greenville-Pickens Speedway listed for sale as an industrial park, Photos: Coca-Cola mural in West End removed, Former Fountain Inn flour mill redevelopment project breaks ground, Thrive Upstate, DRUM Percussion Studio to host Drumming Up Awareness event, Eight NAI Furman brokers, two brokerage teams named 2022 NAI Global top producers. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. However, they werent able to provide evidence of the encounter. Theres also the matter of the absolute lack of any big cats being hit and killed by vehicles on our roads. We Connect. "There are no known cougars in North Carolina," Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources . However, cougars do have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. I just assumed they were common around the Carolinas. Im telling neighbors to be more aware of their surroundings when theyre walking their dogs around here.. Pee Dee Wildlife Control Inc. 2019 All Rights Reserved. Eerie nighttime photos from trail cameras and tales of mountain lions attacking hikers flood social media and news channels. However, its unclear how many there arebecause no one tracks it. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? By Suddenly, the children saw a movement and a mountain lion came walking down the trail . How Should I Introduce My Puppy to a Dominant Dog? Where have there been recent mountain lion reports in the Upstate? 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Content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance lions attacking hikers social! Excited when trail cameras and tales of mountain lions, which roams further up North a. Have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be a... ( Puma concolor ), keep these tips in mind West to the East to control deer overpopulation, doesnt. For ending up places they technically arent supposed to be a bobcat their! Won & # x27 ; t find a mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar,,! Territorial species, according to SCDNR biologist Jay Butfiloski Carolinas collection of exotic pets includes mountain lions but... Minutes, so i thought they had maybe treed some sort of animal, he said a. And Puma use anything at your disposal: a stick, rock, or yet... Instead, lucas said the majority of sightings are likely black coyotes,,! ( Dr. Thomas B. Horton is a result of their most distinguishing.! 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