So why do we still see them in Georgia?
My wife saw one near our western NC home about 15 years ago. It ran across our dirt road right in front of her car. Later, we walked into a Bass Pro Shop near Atlanta. They had numerous mounted trophy animals near the entrance.
Suddenly she exclaimed, “That’s it!, That’s the big cat I saw crossing the road!” You guessed it, a mountain lion/cougar.
By the way, we lived in East Africa for years. Our entertainment was taking the kids to the game parks and specifically identifying the animals spotted. We can differentiate between Grevey’s & Burchell’s zebras, between Maasai & Reticulated Giraffe.
She knew that this was NOT a western cougar. Neither Foster Grants, Love beads, tie-dyed clothing or any other identifying marks of West Coast invaders. [just kidding about this bit ;-) ]
Se really DID see a mountain lion.