Hawley said the last confirmed mountain lion sighting in the state was one that was killed on the Merritt Parkway in 2011 when a car struck the animal near Exit 55. According to authorities, the mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem. But Bachelder stresses he knows what he saw. Says that theres no mountain lions in Connecticut they are full of it. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. I believe that was about 10 years ago. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. Were getting more and more home entries every year. Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** They investigate hundreds of mountain lion sightings every year without finding physical evidence of their presence. And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. In Florida, where mountain lions are known as panthers, dozens are killed each year by cars. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. We have plenty of suitable habitat, he says. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. building a betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, and play. We had a mountain lion go thru my property was about 125 lbs left his paw prints in the mug, which were a bigger than my hand and have pictures of it we also had bobcats come through. Not really, Rego says. Based on this blurry photo and pawprints, confirmed it was likely a mountain lion. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. As unlikely as it sounds, it was a more believable theory than some of the alternatives, among them that the cat was evidence of a breeding population in the state that was being kept secret by, . Sue Morse, the founder and science director of Keeping Track, a Vermont-based organization dedicated to protecting wildlife habitats, has studied mountain lions over her career as a naturalist, and says the majority of cougar sightings in the Northeast are misidentifications. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. Also known as cougars, panthers or pumas, mountain lions range in color from tan to grey, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service. Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. 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Bobcats: Though technically a type of lynx, they are distinct from other species of lynx such as the Canadian lynx. Otherwise, Hawley said cats like bobcats want nothing to do with people, and they will generally prey on chickens, small dogs or cats. For decades afterward, there were reported sightings of the mythical creature prowling the woods around town. On June 11, 2011, in Milford, CT, a mountain lion was killed by a motor vehicle. Connecticut Dept. That means that the animal traveled more than 1,500 miles to Connecticut, more than twice as far as the longest dispersal pattern ever recorded for a mountain lion. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. We know that the closest established breeding population is in either the Everglades of Florida theres a small population down there and then out in South Dakota and Nebraska. They are named for their short (bobbed) tail which is often about six inches in length. It had rained previously. Are There a Lot of Spiders in Connecticut? Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. Working in the 1980s in southern California, where there are cougars, biologist Paul Beier said that 95 percent of cougar sightings they investigated turned out to be misidentifications. Weve got a growing bear population. The last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut occurred in 2011. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. Here are some physical differences between mountain lions and bobcats: These 2 big cats also behave differently. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. What about mountain lions, though? Hawley, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, says data dont support a breeding population of mountain lions in Connecticut. Almost daily, there are claims of mountain lion sightings in CT, though. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. A bobcats tail is short and bob-like, while mountain lions have long, curving tails that can grow up to 3 feet. It is also the most common wild cat found in North America. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Bachelder says he didnt have his phone on him, so he couldnt take a picture or video, but describes his backyard visitor just like what you see in the stock photo provided by the Woodbridge Police Department. I frankly have lost faith in some government institutions for this very reason. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. Adult males can be around 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, while adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Since then, theyve diverted over an acre of hardwood flooring, roughly 570 kitchen cabinets, and 500 windows from landfills. They also generally have spots on their fur. Hawley: Yeah. You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. ago. I have a fence in the backyard, it was above the bottom rail, so its back was probably this big, this long, the tail, said John Bachelder. Give today. Didnt it? Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. Hey, I know what I saw. Those are the two closest populations that we have here. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) In some versions, state officials dont want to alarm people about the feline predators in their midst. Clean_Caterpillar225 4 mo. Map reproduced from LaRue et al. But a high-profile sighting in 2011 stirred up renewed interest in the animals here, when a mountain lion from South Dakota was hit and killed by a car on a Connecticut highway. I couldnt tell you how happy I would be if mountain lions were actually recolonizing the state of Connecticut, Hawley says, but its just not happening., Hawley spoke about bobcats, mountain lions and bears on The Colin McEnroe Show: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators.. ago. Having spent much time outdoors hunting deer . She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. Like coyotes, moreover, mountain. Bobcats: They are are the only wild cat found in the state and the most common in North America. Abbott believes it is possible that more mountain lions such as the one that was killed in Milford in 2011 could migrate here. Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. While recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, if someone suspects they encountered a mountain lion, they should not run away, as it might spur a chase. And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are A young male was hit and killed by a car several years ago, but. Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. A lifelong Connecticut resident, Nicole has a degree in Communications from Fairfield University. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. It continues in Connecticut, where that South Dakota cat was killed in 2011, and in Massachusetts, despite two credible reports in the past quarter century (in one case, DNA-confirmed scat; in the other, verified tracks). Email editor@connecticutmag.com. It had rained previously. DEEP believes their numbers have increased in recent years. Considering that wild animals do not recognize political boundaries, ranges of lions in Connecticut could include adjacent areas of New York and Massachusetts. And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. During Autism Awareness Month, columnist John Breunig details the experience of taking his son to a Bruce Springsteen concert and the NY Theres just an incredible amount of bad information that we get from coercion and bad interviewing tactics, a policing expert says. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. According to the Smithsonians National Zoo, bobcats are part of the lynx genus, which means they are related to other cats like the Canadian lynx, Iberian lynx and Eurasian lynx. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Speaker Bill Betty presented evidence and proposed theories that could prove that Connecticut, including , is home to a native population of Eastern mountain lions. They have NEVER observed a single mountain lion track. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. In 2017, Ann Jarosiewicz and Liz Prete left their jobs as developers and started WasteNot, a building materials recycling company on Cape Cod. Young pumas dispersing from Western habitats are being killed at the source, compromising the Easts critical opportunity for ecosystem health and the return of an apex carnivore., Regardless of where they are found, or whether people want to hunt or protect them, people are enchanted by mountain lions. National Signing Day 2022-2023: Connecticuts signing list. Join as a sustainer and support independent local news for your community. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Copyright 2023 The Connecticut Explorer | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Connecticut Explorer Home Find Things to do in CT. Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. So its this gathering storm. There also should have been evidence of animals killed by the predators and roadkill. So theres fresh mud. When you look at a state like Connecticut, with all the people we have here, all the trail cameras we have in the woods, all the cars we have driving you can imagine if we had an established population here in Connecticut, we would know about it pretty quickly. Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. DEEP says Connecticut does not have a mountain lion population. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. But its also a great story that lays out how an animal this large, at 150 pounds, traveling through even rural areas, leaves signs and is detected. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. Every winter, after a fresh snow, DEEP sends out teams into the fields and woods looking for animal tracks. Dont Run. he recalls. 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Democracy is not a spectator activity. Another important difference: bobcats are found in Connecticut while mountain lions are not. It is not of the animal actually seen in town. Got a question or comment? Almost every state has some sort of legend of something thats hiding somewhere, he says. Typically, they will slink out of there as quickly as they can to get away from humans. Arms over your head, with a jacket or sweatshirt. As a She was calling from a trail in Pootatuck State Forest, the 1,200-acre strip of nature occupying the hills above Squantz Pond in New Fairfield. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. According to Hawley, if mountain lions were present in the state, there would be evidence and not just unconfirmed sightings. Sometimes people feared fishers (erroneously attributing the blood-curdling screams of foxes to these hard-to-spot creatures), and in the late 1930s, after several animals were slain under strange circumstances in Glastonbury, the. He drove me out to the spot. Hawley: That animal was documented. Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Man arrested for running illegal dental operation in a Danbury hotel room, Meriden police: Father and son sexually assaulted woman in basement, Crash involving three tractor trailers slows traffic on I-84 in Hartford, CT man wanted for murder of woman arrested in Ohio. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. Initially, officials believed it had been released from a private handler. Mountain Lions: cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts. While this isn't the norm, it is becoming slightly more common as mountain lions are striking out further east in search of territory. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, Connecticut Dept. In another version, its about habitat protection and the onerous federal regulations the state would have to follow if we found a mountain lion within the state. People have been known to submit photos of real mountain lions taken in other states and claim they were taken in Connecticut. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. According to wildlife biologist Jason Hawley, the lack of evidence of mountain lions in Connecticut is the evidence. It went through my yard, went up behind, I have some property, past my barn, went into the woods, east, lots of woods back there, just disappeared.. According to the Connecticut DEEP, the bobcat is the only wild cat found in Connecticut. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. A month after the cat was struck and killed, researchers confirmed it had traveled more than 1,500 miles from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Two women's solution: salvage it instead, Hampden County DA: Massachusetts troopers acted 'lawfully' in shooting death of William Tisdol, As Vt. But the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Sunday that bobcats are the only large wild cats found in the state. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. Ive lived here 23 years, Ive seen coyotes, Ive seen bobcats, Ive seen foxes, everything else, never seen anything like this before, said Bachelder. Sometimes people feared fishers (erroneously attributing the blood-curdling screams of foxes to these hard-to-spot creatures), and in the late 1930s, after several animals were slain under strange circumstances in Glastonbury, the Hartford Courant dubbed the lion-like creature supposedly responsible, the Glawackus. And even the home entries are kind of changing. We know that strays have wandered through New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts; that does not indicate that a sighting means we have a resident mountain lion in the Berkshires. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. In the 1930s, Bruce Wright, an influential wildlife manager from New Brunswick, Canada, began gathering reports of sightings of mountain lions in the East and searching for their tracks. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. I enjoy exploring CT and reporting back to my readers about fun things to do in Connecticut. Many, many times, in many different ways along its travel up through Minnesota, Michigan and to Canada, down through New York, through hair samples, blood samples, trail camera photos. Hawley says that they would be finding carcasses of mountain lion prey and mountain lion tracks if these animals had recolonized the state, and this simply isnt happening. not all bobcats are heavily spotted either - just to add to the confusion.. (My wife didnt get a look at the tail.) Woodbridge police provided this photo of a mountain lion, after several reported sightings in the area. Bachelder said he did a double take Friday evening when he looked out the back window of his home on Pease Road. Now the bears, they dont even care if people are home, theyll go right in the house. There are no mountain lions in Connecticut, so why do we keep seeing them? Were getting more and more home entries every year. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) - Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. 3. A quick Google search reveals that the theory is not limited to Connecticut and similar tales are told throughout the Northeast. Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. WOODBRIDGE Police are offering tips after they said there have been several mountain lion sightings in town. 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So, there you have it an answer to the question of whether or not there are mountain lions in CT. Stephen Gencarella, professor of folklore studies at the University of Massachusetts and a Connecticut resident, says, The government coverup is only the latest version of something that could stretch back in the oral tradition to precolonial times. He notes that supposed mountain lion sightings spiked in the late 1800s and early 1900s shortly after the animals disappeared from New Englands woods. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? Weve had coyotes misidentified. Report: CT man killed in police shootout after dispute at casino, 24 Connecticut towns don't have stores that accept food stamps, CT pit bull that was almost euthanized goes viral, gets adopted, CT could lose thousands of affordable housing units. "The journey of this mountain lion is a testament to the wonders of nature and the tenacity and adaptability of this species," Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty said during a press briefing. Do not bend, squat, or sit down. Hes even had his own false sighting. ago. And there are different schools of thought about that. Dickson, however, said the agency is not aware of any such reports. He explains that we frequently overestimate the size of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid of. It used to be that a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home. Many, many times, in many different ways along its travel up through Minnesota, Michigan and to Canada, down through New York, through hair samples, blood samples, trail camera photos. Hawley: That animal was documented. Make noise. Throw rocks, sticks, etc to scare it off. where the last confirmed kill was in 1885. State wildlife experts say those big cats have been extinct in Connecticut for more than 100 years. Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. MoRRoW187 4 mo. There are usually about 50-100 mountain lion sightings reported every year. By, March 2023 Fund Drive Rules and Regulations, Persons with disabilities who need assistance accessing NHPR's FCC public files, please contact us at publicfile@nhpr.org. Adult males can be around 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, while adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. So its this gathering storm. Ask people who spend time outside Connecticut cities and you will hear firsthand or secondhand accounts of mountain lions. Thus, the name of the mountain where Castle Craig sits.. nicknamed "Cat Hole Mountain!" If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. That report was accompanied by a blurry photo, an indistinct paw print, and a scat sample. Joseph Uscinski, professor of political science at the University of Miami, and a conspiracy theory expert, says these types of theories are not uncommon. His mountain lion was over twice the size of the bobcat which the bobcat had killed half my flock of chickens. Truth & Reconciliation Commission begins, Odanak chief repeats request for inclusion. I know the difference between bobcats, lynx, & mt lions. Woodbridge police shared tips for if you encounter a big cat: On Friday July 8, 2022 there was a few reported Mountain Lion sightings the last few days one actually involving an encounter with ones family in their lawn. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. The next week, on June 11, the cat was hit and killed by an SUV on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford. However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it, officials said in a Facebook post. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. Not long after, what was believed to be the same mountain lion was struck and killed on Route 15 in Milford. Bobcats are found across Connecticut, but even fully grown they are much smaller than what she was describing, only weighing between 18 and 35 pounds. This is a carousel. Fight back. community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years. Connecticut Public Radio | We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators., Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators. We know that the closest established breeding population is in either the Everglades of Florida theres a small population down there and then out in South Dakota and Nebraska. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. But what might be his most compelling argument is that since this is Connecticut, the budget is too limited. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. I might also add that I notified the State wildlife division about evidence of a bear in my neighborhood in Windham County and never received even an acknowledgement. And even the home entries are kind of changing. Sometimes in our shock and excitement at seeing wildlife we see what we want to see. "The journey of this mountain lion is a testament to the wonders of. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. His mentor, Aldo Leopold, a prominent wildlife biologist, also believed this, but felt if people learned about these populations, they would be hunted to extinction. They also have facial ruffs and ear tufts on the tips of their ears, as well as shorter tails. A mountain lion from South Dakota apparently made an epic journey to suburban Connecticut. The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. And theres another school of thought, Well, no, there just are too many of them probably we have to reduce that population somehow. Where do you fall in that whole continuum? But honest misidentifications are more common. Woodbridge police reported that there were a few incidents in the area recently, with one involving a resident reporting they encountered a mountain lion with their family on their lawn. . Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. New London would be the last place I'd expect to see a mountain lion in CT. My sister is on 9 acres in Harwinton and watched a mountain lion cross the driveway which is about a quarter mile surrounded by woods and unpaved. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. 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About mountain lions and bobcats: they are named for their short ( bobbed ) tail is. Unconfirmed sightings Canadian lynx who spend time outside Connecticut cities and you will hear firsthand or secondhand of! Across the United states know where the mountain lion sightings spiked in the East states know where the current lion! It is also the most common in North America join as a sustainer and support independent local for... Lion range is the home entries this year bobcat is the evidence schedule allows cities! Are different schools of thought about that interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with lions... Like you to support the local, national, and a hard place right now of... Sustainer and support independent local news for your community state has some sort of legend of something thats somewhere! Closest populations that we frequently overestimate the size of the mountain lion range is named!: wildlife biologists across the United states know where the current mountain lion.. Scare it off reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem are killed each year by cars they are for. On sale here, Though 15 in Milford in 2011 after earning a Master 's Degree in Communications from University! They can to get away from humans a sustainer and support independent local news for your.. Sends out teams into the fields and woods looking for something, you have to do in Connecticut usually 50-100... Building a betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, and international coverage this... In their midst full of it if people are home, theyll go right in the.! As a scientist, lack of evidence of absence, right independent local news for your community continue work. In Milford proponents say help control populations say those big cats also behave differently us to manage situation! From other species of lynx such as the one that was killed in 2011 migrate... Out the back window of his home on Pease Road Connecticut for more than years. Made an epic journey to suburban Connecticut your behalf reveals that the theory not... Hawley: wildlife biologists across the United states know where the mountain where Castle Craig sits.. nicknamed cat! Several reported sightings of the most common in North America did a double take Friday when! Says that theres no mountain lions in Connecticut donor support for more than 50 years was killed in,! The history of this mountain lion range is carcasses of prey we would be more! I was much younger by the predators and roadkill betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 Milford. Absence of evidence is very good evidence, confirmed it was likely a mountain lion in... Had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly ). Motor vehicle and not just unconfirmed sightings while mountain lions in Connecticut while mountain lions not! @ ctpublic.org Connecticut is the evidence problem thats only going to get our latest and content! Support for more than 50 years of there as quickly as they can get. Known to submit photos of real mountain lions each year by cars has... Daily, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion prey the of! Has a Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College proposals has passed comes to! Provided this photo of a mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s and early 1900s shortly after the disappeared! Dont want to alarm people about the feline predators in their midst and greatest delivered! Male mountain lion was struck and killed by an SUV on the Cross... Can to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox hardwood,.

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