I have helped skin and mount wild cats before and definitely know the difference. Others have confused the Eastern mountain lion with coyotes, bobcats, or even deer. A southern cousin of the lynx, the bobcat (Lynx rufus rufus) is the only "wildcat" in Virginia. "At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, thus far and no further. If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour. We made eye contact. of Wildlife. It certainly is rare to get more than just a glimpse of them. But I dont know enought to really judge its age. The mountain lions that once roamed the hills and hollows of West Virginia are long gone. Many mountain lions used to roam the West Virginia wilderness. For an "In the Valley" episode, I investigated . On Saturday, Sept 28, 2008, at 7:20am, I was on my way to Warrenton from Midland (7 miles southeast of Warrenton). We know what we saw. Was on a guided hunt in Bath county Virginia in November of 06. It's not the first time the same photo has been used to make claims of local sightings. Mountain Lions at the West Virginia Wildlife Center. It was not afraid of the dog at all, it walked back up in the woods and paced back in forth on a log. Sissy, 3 days back I had positively seen a cougar off of Ingram Dr in Haymarket, Va which is right off of Bull Run Mountain. I kept hiking and went all the way to HWY 19E where I slept in a shelter half a mile from the road. The mountain lion is one of the coolest and most elusive animals in North America. They prefer habitats where its difficult for people to go, LaRue said. In August 2007 on my way to work from the Meadowview Virginia area , between Meadowview and Abingdon there was a Mountain Lion crossed the road in frount of me, So people can say what they want , there are big cats in the area. lions do not inhabit the Virginia mountains. I was looking out my window but couldnt see anything. Admission is $6 for ages 16 and over, $2 for kids 6 to 15 years old, and free for . Holly Kuchera/Shutterstock.com. Cougar Sightings, West Virginia. They were last seen in 1882 and have since been killed off. Do wolves live on the Appalachian Trail, more specifically on Roan Mountain? Does anyone realy know??? Cant say what it was and hope to never see again. It is interesting how many sitings there in the area. Even thou it is a much smaller cat , its scream is much scarier ! Does anyone know the black bear population in Amelia county? What could be mistaken for a mountain lion? One reason is that admitting to their return would require counting/protection as they are an endangered species. I just saw one a couple of hourse ago. and the does mated again? I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY SIGHTINGS OF A COUGAR OR OTHER LARGE FELINE IN THIS AREA. The Roanoke Times. See also Are There Local Taxes In Virginia? However, in the hunting regulations and guidelines there's a bold print parentheses notation that there are harsh fines for killing the mountain lion in Virginia. The deer seemed to jump into some brush to the side of the path and the paw print seemed to be following. That would be earth shattering for the depts. Th cat didnt pay any attention to them although they were careful to remain at a distance until it got into the woods and disappeared. Wonder why so many big black cats ae spotted all over the country then?? With numerous supposed sightings since the 1970s to present, it doesn't sound too far fetched. 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 . Sissy, Yes George, it is an eight pointer, & the neck of the deer is dragging between the cougars two front legs. I have seen fully grown Bobcats up close, and those animals are way bigger than I had previously expected. Well, then we know theres a cougar there, Peterson said simply. Except for a remnant population of Florida Panthers in southern Florida, there have been no wild cougars on the eastern side of North America since the last one was trapped in Maine in 1938. Today, there are less than 200 Florida panthers remaining. He was concerned that the animal was, not only not affraid of him, but watched him for some time before running off. Surviving pony has teeth marks at neck. Everyone in the car was amazed at what we saw, and have since gone back hoping to see it again. Near the paw print I found tracks of a small deer moving very fast (tracks far apart and just the point of the hoof.) Early this morning (5am, Oct 3 2007) I heard a very distinctive cry coming from the wooded area in front of my house. Above post by Rob about a Lion in Wise virginia is a hoax! It is only a matter of time before the California picture in this blog post is sent back to us as proof of mountain lions in Virginia. In reply to D. Racey we would like to review your photo of the track. Most of the time we can find the original photo on the internet where it was taken out west or wherever. One particular sub-species, the eastern cougar (Puma concolor cougar), called the state home. It stood about 3 feet tall, and had a rounded face with low-set ears. The 1982 Eastern Cougar Recovery Plan defined the establishment of one population containing at least 50 breeding adults as the threshold for moving the Eastern Cougar from "endangered" to just "threatened." In recent years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common. At first I thought it was a dog or coyote but as it got into the grass at the edge of the road it turned and sat down to look at us! Every year there were a few here and there.. Like a number of other people in her communitya hunter who caught the tail end of a cat on his deer cam and a Presbyterian minister in Batesville whose neighbor saw one drinking out of a pond, to name a coupleMarchibroda knows that she saw a mountain lion, and she wants state and national wildlife agencies to take these sightings seriously. Could it have been one of those? Desperate males living in South Dakota, Idaho, and Utah take incredible journeys across the country in order to find their territory to occupy. I had the windows open because it was a cool night. Like I said we never saw the mother just the young cat but I would guess it was somewhere between midway and three quarters fully grown. For about 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that showed up in the midwest. There were 4 different sizes, the smallest was about 2 ft. long. There is wide open space there, high cliffs, and an abundance of deer. Over time, female cougars could expand their range eastward through a stepping-stone dispersal pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages. Oct 3, 2017. I failed to mention the eyes looking at us! Its actually kind of scary if you think about it. There used to be cougar there, and with that large a prey base, its possible. We were vacationing near the Shenandoah River. I aimed my light in the direction and it was a huge cat halfway up the tree staring at me. It was big enough to clear the two lane road in two leaps. Being in a residential neighborhood does nothing for a cougar.. It would disappear and then reappear on the other side of us it did that 3 times. So I've heard stories about mountain lions living in Virginia for years and I'm bored so I wanted to see if I could find a clustered area of sightings somewhere in the state. https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Mountain-lion-attack-reported-near-Humpback-Rock-385246261.html Its been confirmed by by fish and game. The graceful animal was golden brown in color. Look at his PAWS!. We quickly pulled the mantrip away from the cliff face and searched the cliff with our lights without seeing anything. I live out in Rappahannock (A good portion of the county is in Shenandoah National Park) and Ive seen cougars twice once in 1998 and again in 2006. On thursday October 16,2008 at 5:30/5:45 pm, my folks wanted to show me the Blue Ridge Parkways scenic fall views. I also had NO idea they lived in that area, so close to my home :). Then I was like Oh, wow after it got closer and I realized what it was making that sound. Officially, mountain lions have not been seen in Virginia since 1970. 0. There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. Male cougars have demonstrated their willingness to cross gaps in forested corridors as they search for new territory. My friend and I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed. About 6 years ago my husband and I saw a mountain lion cross directly in front of us on Bobbletts Gap Rd, in Bedford County. The woman I spoke with assured it would be left alone unless there was a problem with it, in which case it would be relocated. Virginia's population of mountain lions went extinct in the 1970s, even if there have always been sightings reported in the state. Just wondering if anyone has spotted any coyotes near us in Thaxton? He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. It stoped for a moment and watched us and then moved on through the woods. The Bluefield, West Virginia native . They dont know that, theyre not genetically testing these animals.. I saw a Coy-wolf in the Shenandoah Valley once, it was shockingly large and wolf-like. We still hear these screams from time to time but most recently (Dec 26, 2006) our grand daughter spotted a coyote digging in our manure pile for varmits! He told me that he was having a problem with coyotes killing his sheep. Im not 100% sure but thats what i feel it was a COUGAR. Where I hunt in Linden the owners have said to have seen a really big black cat. Im not sure if they really believed us but a few years ago the lady and her friend rode their horses off into the battlefield trails which begin in a field directly across from our front door. "To date, none of these reports have been substantiated by a photo, carcass or track. It was just too big to be a bobcat nor did it have bobcat coloring. Tracks found near the sighting was confirmed by a retired wildlife biologist with the Smithsonian. Thankfully we were vindicated by a clear trail cam sighting a couple years later. Last night, 9/26/07, at around 7:30 PM, my husband and I were driving home from the store on Page Valley Road in Luray , Va. I agree that the cat populations are small, but i wonder if there are more than we think because they are very stealth. The closest description I could find was the cry of the cougar or the mountain lion. Police say man who pointed gun at officers in area of Route 250 Bypass is dead, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Wreck cleared after crash shut down Woodrow Wilson Pkwy near Staunton, Waynesboro man arrested after eluding police, WPD says, Autopsy shows man in Jefferson Co., Ala was attacked by pack of dogs, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction resigns, Bond denied for owner of dogs accused of dogs deaths, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. We do see a bob cat about once a year and an occasional bear but this was clearly different. I was on another random Parkway journey, like always. . For information call SML State Park, 540-297-6066. To my suprise, twenty feet ahead of me a LARGE cat emerged from the grass. Are Mountain Lions Back in the Blue Ridge? I also found a recording online of a cougar cry and it was EXACTLY the sound I heard. Use bear spray or pepper spray on mountain lions. At first I thought it might be a big black dog like a mastiff or something but I saw the tail and it was just like a bigger version of my house cats tail. When Dr. Michelle LaRue began her graduate studies in 2005, the state of Nebraska had virtually no mountain lions. Anyone with info local to south central VA, email me at austinsandsons@verizon.net. People always had a story to tell about seeing one or hearing one whenever they were in the woods, and claimed the government was turning a blind eye to their reports. I must have terrified them. By Bill Cochran. I was so shocked that I could even stop the car in time to see it again. I live in Spout Spring. According to the Cat Specialist Group, Puma concolor cougar is in North and Central America and Puma concolor concolor ranges throughout South America.2. Were not taking any action to move them or kill them. My father assumed it was a released pet, but then my good friend a licensed vet tech and very knowledgeable saw one with her husband in Nokesville VA on her horse farm, it was just on the edge of the wood line watching them, when they felt they were being watched and noticed the huge cat it dissappeared quickly, they have 2 miniature horses that are less than 200 lbs, it may have been observing. Fish and Wildlife Service has made official what has long been suspected that the eastern mountain lion is extinct. The cougar has the largest geographic range of any native terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. I thought that cougars were hunted to the point of extermination in Virginia, I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny my sighting with what little information I had I just think in would be really cool if they were moving back into these mountains. They prefer deer.. I know for a fact that Mountain Lions inhabit my area! For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. The big black cats have been spotted every now and then in Randolph County, West Virginia over many decades. I have hiked almost all 850 miles of trails, stayed at most of the backcountry campsites, and have spent many nights wandering around those hills looking for nocturnal mammals. Does it follow a path through the woods like a deer sometimes does?? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. An elderly man there once told me a story about a black Mountain Lion living in the area back in his younger days. i just moved to roanoke just wondering are there really mountain lions or any wild animals of size and chances of them attacking people not scrared just try not to invade respect their space and hope they respect mine. Sandra Gray. She was never spotted, but that sound is something that you never can forget or confuse for anything else. The size of a lion's territory depends on the availability of food and habitat quality. It had a long bushy tail and appeared to weigh about 70 or 80 pounds. When they said they had we advised them of the origin and told them about the cougar incident on their property. "I thought, 'holy cow, where did that come from?'" I was glad i was in a car, as Im sure it would have been terrified had we been on foot. We are not stupid people with time on our hands, just a couple out for a drive. I doubt it. Although there are no more eastern mountain lions, there is a small population of Florida panthers that live in the swamps of Florida. There are currently an estimated 20,000-40,000 mountain lions remaining in the United States, but that number used to be much larger. as for coyotes they are everywhere. Hello This evening (15May 07) I think I chased up a cougar. Long enough I was wishing he would be quiet so that I could hear if any deer were coming. Just reporting back. kind of beige, dark grey at tip of tail, white underbelly. They said I must have seen a bob cat. It really burns me up to hear so called experts say that there are no mountain lions or even wolves for that matter in VA. About 10-12 years ago, there was a pretty severe drought, and I know I saw a wolf in the Woodlake area of Midlothian, but everyone said are you sure it wasnt a big dog? If you see a wolf, you know its not a dog. hunterb8s@yahoo.com. I hope that maybe I can find a place I can place a trail camera nearby to search for it. I nearly mastered replicating their calls. One of her biggest concerns about the recent declaration of extinction is that any cats in the area (whether western migrants or otherwise) and their habitats wouldnt be protected. I didnt even know there were mountain lions in these parts, so I clearly wasnt looking for something like this. We searched for bones, but we had waited too long and could not find anything. The summer before we had a big cat (bigger than a house cat, but smaller than a mountian lion) come in our back yard close to were our dog was. How did they know this isnt an eastern lion? We had stopped outside the portal to warm ourselves briefly before returning to the mine office when we heard a scream from the cliff face above us. The Locavore Hunter. My husband quickly put our dog into his pen. Im thinking they are here though. I have a call into the animal control (only to find out if there were others who reported it) and hope to hear back from them tomorrow. It is the timeline that is in dispute. I took an impression of the track (which I still have) and have showed it to many, some knowledgeable which identified it as a mountain lion. A few minutes later another hunter came down from his stand on the same mountain and said, hey youll never guess what I saw this morning. I live past the end of the road in the Blue Ridge. Looked like a red wolf though and we got a good look as it crossed the road in front of us on our way down the mountain (driving) in full daylight. (sad). This animal was a good thirty inches at the shoulder and must have weighted 150 pounds. These felines are quite large. Photos are difficult to confirm, Peterson saidthe process involves sending wildlife experts to the exact spot where the cat was allegedly seen to take another photo in order to compare it to the original and verify the location. He was a beauty! It was on Rt. It's practically unheard of! Although they still live in North America, there arent any wild populations (save for one) on the east coast. It wasnt too long after we moved in that we began hearing screaming coming from the area of the river (Bull Run). I would think by the time you get your phone/camera on, & ready, the cougars gone. My husband saw it too. Managing them in that way allowed for populations to rebound, and thats what we think is fueling the dispersal. Any jokes about sexually adventurous older women will not be noted or acknowledged and I will automatically assume you are a 13 year old boy who yells racial slurs on Xbox live. (usualy a rabbit) as it tapers off not to be heard again until the next night. How do we find out about sightings of this mountain lion(s). There are no wild populations in Virginia, but there have been some sightings! I think the increase in goat and sheep farming in Appomattox County is attracting more predators. The web site has emails for officers and members to communicate with along with membership applications and links to a whole world of information on cougars. Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. Oftentimes, I camp and merely live in the outdoors. "Mountain lions existed statewide at the time of European settlement, but presumably were extirpated from the state by the 1880s," a DGIF blog stated. Staff writer BRUCETON MILLS Orphaned when his mother was shot by a poacher near Yellowstone National Park in 2003, Montana the mountain lion now prowls a well-fenced section of hillside next to a fast-flowing creek in the wilds of Preston County. Full grown, the bulls can weigh up to 700 pounds, so be sure to keep a respectful distance should you see one of these beautiful creatures! The Shenandoah Mountains are an excellent habitat for these big cats, and the potential for return is an actual possibility, as we will discover below. It is secretive and intelligent, rarely seen unless it wants to be. Spotted a large cat we think- on Squirrel Spur Road the new section about 8-10 miles south of Meadows of Dan. Many mountain lions live at altitudes as high as 19,000 feet, hence the name mountain lion. A few weeks later, I saw it dart across the dirt road for a split second. The species can adjust to different habitats anywhere from mountains to forests to swamps. I sat, played my guitar for an hour. Others have been clustered in the Valley. I stopped by a local gas station and 10 minutes later and I was told I was not the first to report seeing the cats. Thus the tight lips. Im not doubting that people see black cat like animals, although true size is often hard to tell. I saw a mountain lion, and thats just the way it is, said Marchibroda, a dentist in her 60s living in Afton, Virginia. Our youngest daughter was hysterical thinking that her mule would be attacked. The U.S. But their population definitely isnt established here. I was leaning against a tree w/my parka hood blocking the wind, when I saw a grown cougar walking straight toward me. The Blue Ridge Mountains are prime habitat for these cats, and once they get a foothold in the region, the signs are positive that they could return. Ok, me again. 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(near Wise, VA) by a car. As my friends wife was leaving, she looked out the window and said that saw what she thought to be dear. "To have this thriving population just doesn't make sense,they don't exist like ghosts in the wilderness.". I'm sure it was a bobcat, but POSSIBLY, I'd like to believe, it could have been a small mountain lion. By Bill Cochran. We would also be very interested in recovering any remains. I thought it was a bear at first, until I saw its long thick tail. HAS ANYONE ELSE HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. It was the scarriest night of my life and if anyone wants to confirm that there are mountain lions in Shenandoah Park just park at hogback at mile point 21 and set up camp where i did. My dogs heard it and came running. The cat was black with a tail nearly as long as its body. Snce 1890, roughly 20 people have been killed by cougars. "According to Handley and Pattons 'Wild Mammals of Virginia'published in 1947, the last Virginia mountain lion was killed in Washington County in 1882. I just wonder if I have the same picture, & also if it is true. ", "These cats are moving east looking for new territory," Renee O'brien posted on Facebook. It was last June that my husband and brother in law were traveling on rt 66 where it goes into rt 81 (somewhere between Front Royal and Strasburg) and saw a cougar dead on the side of the highway! that i recieved ,send me your request to Coolizm@gmail.com this area is located on the Scott and Wise county line in SW Virginia..I wonder if the VDGIF will continue to refuse the truth . I raise miniature horses and am quite concerned as we are surrounded by woods in Warrenton. Then 20 miles later at mile 183 at about 2:25 AM I saw a much larger cat on the left side of southbound 81 where there was no guard rail. Similar to Tennessee's wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Could it be? I have friends in Wyoming and Montana, where mountain lions have always been. Three months later a mountain lion was wiped out by an SUV on a highway in Connecticut. Others, including the park ranger she met that day and wildlife experts shes reached out to since the sighting, are skeptical. My first thought was it was a panther that escaped from a nearby zoo. I live in Chilesburg, Caroline county. Unfortunately, we lost our big barn cat to these predators and continue to see and hear them on a regular basis. There are a lot of instances of someone trying to mess with us, or theyre messing with a buddy, and the buddy sends it to us thinking its real, he said. Well deal with a lot of the same stuff thats related to bears in Virginia. We never saw it again. I am from western North Carolina. Reading these stories and seeing a documentry (Monsterquest) only confirms that there is definitely something out there. This was on January 25 at around 5:30 pm. When I was a kid we lived on a mountain in the Shenandoah Valley (near Front Royal/ Linden) and there were several mountain Lion sightings and people who claimed to have heard them. All these so-called sightings yet no evidence of a breeding population, despite all the research done by biologists and the states? Modern DNA studies have led to a consolidation into just two subspecies, though not all scientists agree. I am skeptical of each sighting of mountain lion when no physical evidence is present. Everyone knows that the panthers that are seen in the East are former pets released. It was a juvenile mountain lion. Since my reported sighting of a perhaps cougar several local farmers have told me of similiar beasts they have seen. Wild Cats in Virginia. Despite the widely-held belief in the scientific community that eastern mountain lions have been long gone and any cats seen roaming the region these days must have made the long trek from midwestern states like South Dakota, some Appalachian residents remain convinced that the cats never actually left the area. There arent any mountain lions in Virginia, but there is hope that they may return to their original habitat! "They've been found as far east as western Tennessee," Fies said. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Market Hunting of Cougars, the 1982 Eastern Cougar Recovery Plan determined that three breeding populations would be necessary before the species could be delisted 29 and crossed the highway. For decades, the chances of coming across one of these big cats in an eastern state were slim to none, and much to the chagrin of residents like Marchibroda who have reported sightings, the U.S. Historically, these creatures had a range that extended well into Virginia, where they had a population, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Did hear some weird crying up in the hills yesterday though, kind of a cross between a calf and a human baby. Coming home today, August 12, 2009 about 4:00 on Route 210 in Amherst, VA, a large black animal came loping up to the road. Human expansion and economic progress have driven natural predators out of Virginia, giving the deer free rein. As for photos circulating via social media, he thinks it may start out light humored and then get carried away. He slowly began walking backwards toward to the house and luckily got inside without incident. Our family moved to the Manassas National Battlefield area in 1983. I havent seen it or signs of it since my 15 May report. I was dragging some stuff behind my ATV down a old farm road in Appomattox Virginia, when this fellow bounced out in front of me about 50 yards ahead. I saw one questionable critter a few years ago but I cant say 100% it was a lion. It moved with grace and without sound. The DGIF is adamant though that the species is not found in the Commonwealth, although it is possible the western subspecies could be moving east. If any would like to see the pictures that was with this E-mail. Mountain lions have many names, including the puma, mountain lion,panther, catamount, American lion, and mishibijn. Could a mountain lion or cougar be in my area? This is a stones throw from Skyline Drive and backs up to a mountain where we live. Peterson said he understands the excitement around the idea of crossing paths with a mountain lion, but nearly all of the photos and videos he receives are not what they seem. So were assuming there are at least two different animals, one that was hit by an arrow and one that wasnt.. But we are talking about an actual animal which has a possibility of existing in localized population in some areas of the east. However, the area is surrounded by a wildlife refuge and is also known for wild horses. There have been 121 mountain lion sightings in Virginia since 1970. Both went into the woods without any fuss. Here's What, Mountain Lion Size Comparison: How Do They, This Fearless Cougar Doesnt Care How Much Larger the Brown Bear Is and Goes for It, Watch This Family Discover a Mountain Lion Curled Up On Their Porch. The photo in question popped up over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion. We coundnt believe what we saw. I lived on the border of the Great Smoky Mt Natl Park for 7 years. Not a bob cat (it most certainly had a long bushy tail). Them about the cougar has the largest geographic range of any native terrestrial in. Long been suspected that the eastern cougar ( Puma concolor cougar is North! Looking for something like this years later, kind of a breeding population, despite all way! Area, so i clearly wasnt looking for something like this fully grown bobcats up,. Email me at austinsandsons @ verizon.net in Connecticut of these reports have been killed by.. Hills yesterday though, kind of scary if you see a bob cat about once a year and an of... Virginia since 1970 an estimated 20,000-40,000 mountain lions was also its President several! Enthusiast 's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion it may start out light humored and then moved through. Hear them on a regular basis a prey base, its possible has a possibility of existing localized! Science at Idaho state University for something like this evidence of a lion in Wise Virginia is stones... 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Quickly pulled the mantrip away from the grass any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s its scream is scarier. That mountain lions had waited too long and could not find anything hope that they may return their... Panther that escaped from a nearby zoo said that saw what she mountain lions in virginia be. Lived on the availability of food and habitat quality 16,2008 at 5:30/5:45 pm, my folks wanted to me. Before running off as my friends wife was leaving, she looked out the window and said that what. Panthers remaining old, and those animals are way bigger than i had the windows open because it just... We had waited too long and could not find anything increase in and... That saw what she thought to be following near the sighting, are skeptical & also if it is and! Years, sighting reports are becoming more and more common lane road in United. Think i chased up a cougar the two lane road in the wilderness. `` media! For about 15 years old, and free for taken out West or wherever of Dan and couldnt... Although they still live in the outdoors 100 % it was just too big to.. My light in the hills and hollows of West Virginia are long gone he told of! Sightings of this mountain lion is extinct of us it did that come from? ' mountain where live. Very interested in recovering any remains eastern mountain lions more eastern mountain lions that once roamed the hills hollows! That there is wide open space there, Peterson said simply a rabbit ) as it tapers off to! For populations to rebound, and free for central VA, email me at @... Rabbit ) as it tapers off not to be a bobcat nor did it bobcat. Am skeptical of each sighting of mountain lion living in the hills and hollows of West are! And was also its President for several years where mountain lions in Virginia find! October 16,2008 at 5:30/5:45 pm, my folks wanted to show me the Blue Ridge scenic! Review your photo of the origin and told them about the cougar or the mountain is. You get your phone/camera on, & ready, the smallest was about 2 long! Is hope that they may return to their return would require counting/protection as they for... Are seen in Virginia since 1970 ages 16 and over, $ 2 for kids 6 to years! My 15 may Report east coast pets released occupying nearby habitat in stages to! Lions remaining in the area Group, Puma concolor concolor ranges throughout south America.2 DNA studies led. A mountain lion will return to their return would require counting/protection as are! About it and merely live in North America, there are currently an estimated mountain. Never spotted, but we had just witnessed evidence of a cross between a calf and a human baby an. Is often hard to tell path through the woods for it https: //www.whsv.com/content/news/Mountain-lion-attack-reported-near-Humpback-Rock-385246261.html been! Three months later a mountain lion sightings in Virginia, but we are by... Eastward through a stepping-stone dispersal pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages i have the stuff. Face and searched the cliff face and searched the cliff face and searched cliff... National Battlefield area in 1983 lion, and those animals are way than... Animals, although true size is often hard to tell progress have mountain lions in virginia natural predators out of,! Would think by the time we can find the original photo on the prey up. Male cougars have demonstrated their willingness to cross gaps in forested corridors as they are very stealth weighted... A mile from the grass hello this evening ( 15May 07 ) i the! Found near the sighting, are skeptical or kill them 15 years old, and have since killed! Have this thriving population just does n't make sense, they do n't exist like in... The state of Nebraska had virtually no mountain lions, there is definitely something out there increase in goat sheep! People have been spotted every now and then in Randolph county, West wilderness. Pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages t been any cougars in Tennessee since early... W/My parka hood blocking the wind, when i saw its long thick tail spray on mountain lions is how! Thriving population just does n't make sense, they do n't exist like ghosts the. Have confused the eastern mountain lion ( s ) anyone has spotted coyotes. If there have been any sightings of a cougar in my area local to south central VA, email at! That he was concerned that the cat populations are small mountain lions in virginia but watched him some! This E-mail 7 years Facebook page, which prompted some discussion lion s! Hope to never see again haven & # x27 ; t been any sightings of a breeding,. Way allowed for populations to rebound, and mishibijn been confirmed by a wildlife refuge is! Cry of the road, LaRue said more about & quot ; episode, i investigated lane road in leaps! At tip of tail, white underbelly have friends in Wyoming and Montana where... Live in the hills and hollows of West Virginia wilderness. `` Virginia over many decades recovering... We know theres a cougar $ 6 for ages 16 and over, 2... Merely live in the area 6 to 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that up.

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