Federal researchers declare eastern cougar extinct

Yahoo! News ^ | March 2, 2011 | MICHAEL RUBINKAM

[americanophile]

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The "ghost cat" is just that.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday declared the eastern cougar to be extinct, confirming a widely held belief among wildlife biologists that native populations of the big cat were wiped out by man a century ago.

After a lengthy review, federal officials concluded there are no breeding populations of cougars — also known as pumas, panthers, mountain lions and catamounts — in the eastern United States. Researchers believe the eastern cougar subspecies has probably been extinct since the 1930s.

Wednesday's declaration paves the way for the eastern cougar to be removed from the endangered species list, where it was placed in 1973. The agency's decision to declare the eastern cougar extinct does not affect the status of the Florida panther, another endangered wildcat.

Some hunters and outdoors enthusiasts have long insisted there's a small breeding population of eastern cougars, saying the secretive cats have simply eluded detection — hence the "ghost cat" moniker. The wildlife service said Wednesday it confirmed 108 sightings between 1900 and 2010, but that these animals either escaped or were released from captivity, or migrated from western states to the Midwest.

"The Fish and Wildlife Service fully believes that some people have seen cougars, and that was an important part of the review that we did," said Mark McCollough, an endangered species biologist who led the agency's eastern cougar study. "We went on to evaluate where these animals would be coming from."

A breeding population of eastern cougars would almost certainly have left evidence of its existence, he said. Cats would have been hit by cars or caught in traps, left tracks in the snow or turned up on any of the hundreds of thousands of trail cameras that dot Eastern forests.

[BwanaNdege]

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.

[TYVets]

Almost all are owned by individuals.

Hunters are the largest group. Some are owned by people who just like wildlife photos.

The early models used 35mm film. Which had to be developed and printed as photos.

The newer models use the same chips as digital cameras.

Some of the latest models can be set to take a short video.

The Cuddeback web site does a good job of explaining what their various models can and can not do.

[goat granny]

From Michigan also, and have see photo's of them. Also a wolverine and a few years back they were tracking a bear from Lapeer county to up north.. A driver on I69 reported a cougar heading north crossing the expressway. That was a bout 5 years back

Can we say so called experts are full of kitty poo. GG

[bog trotter]

I can positively assure you, from personal experience, that Felis concolor is not only alive and well, but making a nice comeback here in MI.
I and mine have been made their acquaintance and were not harmed. Freep mail me for details and I well get back to you later.
Just more govt. BS

[PastorBooks]

“If you encounter a mountain lion...”

If you encounter a black bear, back away.

If you encounter a grizzly, better hope you can climb.

If you encounter a sasquatch, freak out.

[goat granny]

Lots of those things in Alaska. I have seen grizzley and wolf myself up there....Moose are more dangerous than some predators cause they stay around people up there...

Lots of whales also, you can go on whale watching tours..Gots lots of money you'll have fun..

[PastorBooks]

“Can we say so called experts are full of kitty poo.”

I nominate you for Quote of the Day!

[goat granny]

LOL

[goat granny]

The men in my family go bow and arrow every year in Roscommon, this past year my son spotted a cougar in his headlights when going into town. Just trudging down the trail. First time anyone of the guy’s spotted one.

[maine-iac7]

left tracks in the snow ...

Oh, good, I'm glad they cleared this up.

It must be those western cougars visiting back here in the east - these that we see with our very own eyes. I took photos of tracks of one after he trotted through my woods. This was a 4 yrs or so ago - he must be back home in the west by now. By the way, this is maine. (But I also had an encounter with one years ago in the Berkshires in western Mass.)

the photo below is a file photo online

the two pads in the back is from the way a mt lion trots - his back paw lands just a bit behind his front foot, in the same track.

[EternalVigilance]

If a western cougar goes east it’s now an eastern cougar.

Our family has seen them on one of the farms in NW Iowa in the past year. Must be a midwest cougar.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Unfortunately, the punchline pic is missing! But I got the gist in the thread.

[Abundy]

bunk...people are sighting cougars all the time in western maryland and the MDDNR refuses to acknowledge their existence

[maine-iac7]

AMEN

[goat granny]

:O) I am honored....

[WVNan]

Tom, I have four pictures of 3 cougars together taken at Elkins, WV Jan.31, 2010. I’m having trouble getting them off my e-mail to here. If I send you my e-mail privately will you see if you can get them posted? The comments with the pics is cute too.

[WVNan]

I meant you send me your e-mail privately. Sheesh.

[EternalVigilance]

Got it. Check your FReepmail.

[WVNan]

See, there are reports of them in MI and MD and I know for sure in WV. Somebody is not keeping up with things.

[WVNan]

Thank you. Sent the e-mail.