Most tracks and pictures could possibly have been a different animal, which means that they cannot officially count as a cougar sighting. Then about 8 years ago I was driving down Clements Ferry and one ran across the road in front of me just past the old Mikasa plant heading towards 526. Here in southern Utah, lions have been known to occupy home ranges as large as 513 square miles. 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. The Eastern puma more commonly called a cougar around here has been declared extinct. Its a chick magnet, its a cool thing, Chastain said. Their beige or tawny fur helps camouflage them in countless environments. I'm not Bill Bryson, and this column isn't entitled 'A Walk In the Woods.' Fortunately, a mountain lion hasnt escaped captivity for more than a decade in South Carolina,according to Butfiloski. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. South Carolina is no stranger to dangerous wildlife. Greenville Journal. There are eight to 10 reported sightings of mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. However, they may also consume fish, birds, and squirrels, and some have even been seen eating insects. The fight would probably play out with one of the creatures stalking the other. Never heard anything like it. In an instant my senses said 'Bobcat.' Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. With the closest mountain lion population being in South Florida, cougars would have to travel very far to end up in South Carolina. The male mountain lion is a new individual to the lab's DNA database. However, cougars do have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be. This, after the most famous mountain lion in Los Angeles, known as P-22, died in December . Yesterday around 5 p.m., my husband, a realtor and myself had a Mountain Lion jump the road in front of us about 30 yards ahead of us while walking a 19 acre property in Murphy NC mountains! 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. Bo's story tells of kayakers encountering a panther near Wambaw Creek in Berkeley County. Another panther blog carries a local comment, 'My dad was born and raised in the Cainhoy area and used to tell me stories of the mountain lions that were around. As a territorial species, these cats do not live close to each other. Therefore, your odds of seeing a mountain lion are extremely low. Their bobbed tail is one of their most distinguishing features. If you look closely enough, or have enough bright light, you can see spots amongst the dark fur. 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. Lets muddy the water a little more. As of right now, there is a 0 recorded population of mountain lions living in New York. There are Mountain lions in North Carolina. 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. There are no known mountain lions in North Carolina. (With Pictures), The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database, How to Help an Abused Dog Recover 8 Tips and Tricks, Lymphadenopathy in Cats: Signs, Causes & Care. Currently, experts are adamant that there is no known mountain lion population in South Carolina. In South Carolina, this often leads to them eating smaller deer, rabbits, and rats. Furman biology professor and cougar expert Travis Perry says its possible for mountain lions to travel great distances, but its not very likely theyve traveled to our state. Luckily, the big cats probably wont pose a serious threat to public safety when they do appear in South Carolina, according to Butfiloski. Staying Safe Around Wild Cats in South Carolina Image Credit: milesz, Pixabay. I was shocked when I first saw the prints, because they were so big, said Claes. 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. More recently, a Piedmont resident captured a trail camera photo of what many believed to be a black panther. There are countless game and trail cameras out in the woods ofSouth Carolina at any given time, and nobody has photographed a large cat, yet these animals do show up on game camerasin states that have cougars, said Butfiloski, who believes the trail camera footage from Ladys Island shows a house cat. The large cats are not staying and breeding in the state. (Dr. Thomas B. Horton is a history teacher at Porter-Gaud School. What was once called the Eastern Cougar and roamed areas throughout the southeastern United States was declared extinct in 2011 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. They were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. "We get lots of reports every year from folks who think they've seen a cougar. It was a female mountain lion.. Sorry, Carolina Panthers football fans! Lucas, of DNR, concurs that the black panther is a myth. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Since there is no melanistic, or black, phase to the cougar, Florida or Western, that is actually not genetically possible, he said. Why are there no mountain lions in PA? 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. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? They are found at elevations ranging from 5,900 ft to 13,000 ft. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. A wild mountain lion hasnt been verified in South Carolina in about 100 years, said Perry, whos studied mountain lions for more than a decade. The big cat was captured after roaming free for two days. talk to a vet online for advice >. Koehler, for one, remains convinced at least one mountain lion inhabits these parts. What was once called the Eastern Cougar and roamed areas throughout the southeastern United States was declared extinct in 2011 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. I guess a Florida panther could possibly roam into South Carolina, but Im not sure they would make it that far without getting hit by a car, said Butfiloski. |, Presented by TD Bank, TD SYNNEX & The YMCA, The People and Places That Helped Shape Greenville, There is another possibility that seems to be increasing in likelihood in recent years. He points to Florida where, despite a known population of less than 200, several Florida panthers are killed every year by vehicles. Like the Carolina parakeet, the predator cat couldn't cope with spreading civilization encroaching upon its feeding fields. Can Cats Eat Kale? Today the only known reproducing population of cougars in the eastern US occurs in south Florida in the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp. Andean Mountain Cat. The massive cat cleared the road in one swift near silent leap. But they aren't true . But who knows in a generation or so what might happen, he said. Many wildlife authorities and experts, however, remain skeptical of mountain lion sightings across the Southeast. The Service acknowledges the broad acceptance within the scientific community of a single North American subspecies, identified as Puma concolor couguar (applying the scientific nomenclature that has been used to refer to the Eastern puma subspecies to all North American pumas), based on genetic analysis, the agency said in a release announcing the new rule. 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. The Portuguese Man O'War is seldom seen in the Palmetto State and has a venomous sting that can kill an animal, and rarely humans although humans have died from complications from the sting. 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. Last year, Ben Claes, owner of Jireh Property Services in Taylors, was cleaning a lawn down the street from Koehlers house after a snowstorm and noticed large tracks on the ground. In windy or mountainous areas, Elbroch says air horns are great tools to throw off a cat's focus and deter them from . Learn more. Cougars were eliminated from our state, as they were throughout much of the eastern US, for a combination of reasons including: a) loss of much of the forest and deer herd during the heavy agricultural activity of the late 1800's and b) the cougar's habit of substituting livestock for wild prey items (in the latter cases, stock owners typically took direct and terminal action against the cougars). Some actually believe mountain lion sightings in South Carolina can be attributed to the Florida panther, the only surviving subspecies of eastern cougar. Simply type the location or club name into the search bar below, and let the service begin! For years state biologists have treated sightings with suspicion. There has never been a record or credible account of a black cougar in Eastern North America, Chastain said. Even thought they're on the endangered species list. "There's just no scientific documentation to back that up." . However, there has not been a verified sighting in over 100 years. 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. The only recognized population of mountain lions in the South is in South Florida in the Everglades, said Travis Perry, an associate biology professor at Furman University. Suddenly, the children saw a movement and a mountain lion came walking down the trail . 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 2007, Katie Araujo, a Paris Mountain resident, said she came face to face with a large black cat while sitting on her front porch. 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 South Carolina, as in much of the east, what largely remains of the cougar is its name, which is linked to many of our landscape features. They are just incredibly elusive." Although so many people have claimed to have seen the wild cat, N.C. Wildlife Resources officials told the Charlotte Observer that the Eastern Cougars are currently only found in parts of Florida. However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. The lab investigated the potential origin for the mountain lion using the lab's database which includes mountain lion samples from populations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oregon and Florida. One thing scientists agree on and have no confusion about is that none of these large cats is or ever has been black in color. In South Carolina, bobcats typically inhabit areas of dense, thick brush such as bottomland forests in the coastal plain. Long thought to be extinct, the Carolina version of the big Eastern cougar is alive and very well, thank you. Neither am I Rudy Mancke, Marlin Perkins, or Jim Fowler. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. Well, this atleast proves that there are big cats in SC. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kameron Peresnovich. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. In a fight between mountain lion vs bobcat, the mountain lion would win. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. However, they werent able to provide evidence of the encounter. Their small size paired with their stealth ability allows them to stay hidden quite well. Search for cougars continues in Pennsylvania. Wed love to know! History of Large Cats in South Carolina First, for clarity, the panther has many names, including puma, cougar and mountain lion-all of these names refer to the same animal in North America. Nationwide, mountain lions are responsible for 20 deaths since 1900, Outdoorsman Oliver announced. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great . While these cats are shy, they will live near humans to grant them access to livestock. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. They are a native species in South Carolina. The last three eastern cougars were killed in 1930 in Tennessee, New Brunswick in 1932, and Maine in 1938. 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. Eastern Cougar does inhabit South Carolina. I do not believe that South Carolina has a free-ranging wild cougar population, said Butfiloski. Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night. He recalls that the animal's tail was as long as its body and that the huge cat appeared to take up the whole lane as he crossed over. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This feline only gets to about . Theres just no scientific documentation to back that up.. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Heres how that came about: People go to a pet store and buy a baby cougar. There may be a hint of nail indentations, which cats wouldnt have,he said. It is unknown whether they see them as competition or food. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. In South Carolina, there are two resident populations of black bears, one in the mountains and upper piedmont and one in the coastal plain. Many wildlife experts and authorities are hoping that mountain lions will eventually migrate east from the Rocky Mountain states and repopulate the region. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. LaRue, for instance, said people are probably seeing a house cat or black lab. Currently, there has not been a verified sighting in over 100 years. South Carolinians are likely seeing something, even if its not a mountain lion. Adult females are smaller, averaging 80-90 pounds. But they arent true Eastern cougars. The animal started running so I decided to run and get away and jump in the river to get across to the other side, Fletcher told The State. There are many reports made to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources each year about mountain lions. A touring troupe of actors caravanned southward in the 18th century toward Savannah and were attacked by a pack of wolves near Jacksonboro. Low near 65F. Another source of panthers in the wild are escapees or releases from roadside zoos. These felines are comfortable in many . |, Presented by TD Bank, TD SYNNEX & The YMCA, The People and Places That Helped Shape Greenville. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States. Yet "domestic coyotes are responsible for 20 deaths every year." "The actual threat to people by . Black bears can be found throughout North America. You can tell the similarities by looking at them, specifically thanks to their black-tipped ears. In South Carolina it is thought that the cougars occurring here were of both the eastern race (Felis concolor cougar) and the Florida race (Felis concolor coryi). Last year, Ben Claes, owner of Jireh Property Services in Taylors, was cleaning a lawn down the street from Koehlers house after a snowstorm and noticed large tracks on the ground. Instead, Lucas said the majority of sightings are likely misidentification of other animals like bears, coyotes or large dogs. While its uncommon, an individual or a few from this population can roam as far north as the southern tip of South Carolina. They were once major factors in the ecosystems of our South Carolina forests and coastal swamps where adults killed deer and other large prey items (wild hogs, raccoons, woodland buffalo, etc). Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. The mountain lion used to be found all over the United States, but now is primarily seen in the western U.S. An endangered subspecies of mountain lion also remains in Florida. Do not turn your back. The one potential South Carolina mountain lion, the eastern cougar, was declared extinct in 2011. Love South Carolina? The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. (You know, like the mascot of the NFL team based in Charlotte). Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. One popular conspiracy theory claims SCDNR has released a breeding population of western mountain lions to prevent the states surging white-tailed deer population from causing too much agricultural damage. Contact: (855) 411-0505. Cougars are stealthy predators that can run up to 35 miles per hour. In 2007, a contract security officer called the universitys police department after he spotted what he thought looked like a mountain lion near the Calhoun Mansion. The largest cat native to the eastern US, adults can exceed 8 ft in total length (including their tail) and 200 lbs. But there are still instances where new creatures are spotted here from time to time and, even worse, a population of a dangerous species spreads into our own backyard, effectively infiltrating suburban life. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. Because of their immense range, cougars can be seen in a number of habitats. 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