There would be road killed cougar carcasses showing up at least once a year if we had an established population,he said. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. But peoplecould also be mistaking black panthers for pet mountain lions escaped from captivity, according to Perry. And verified mountain lion photos and road kill carcasses are slowly but surely appearing in various states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The younger, weaker male lions will travel to get away to other areas and establish their own territory. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Your Safety in Mountain Lion Habitat. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? Big Cat Confusion Part of the confusion about the mysterious panther in South Carolina is that scientists now believe it is the same animal as the mountain lion that still thrives in the western area of the country and Rocky Mountains. Big Cat arched his back the way cats do when alarmed, and he bounded into the woods. But mountain lions dont get along well with roads, according to Perry. Nearby City: Chestnut Springs. In 2003, eight residents from a Mauldin subdivision called police saying theyd seen a large black cat prowling around the woods behind their homes. Due to overhunting in the United States, they have been completely extirpated from the east , with the exception of the endangered Florida panther, a subspecies occurring in southern Florida. However, its a moot point since there are no Eastern cougars still around to shoot., More:Kumar the orangutan escapes Greenville Zoo exhibit - again. South Carolinas collection of exotic pets includes mountain lions, tigers, and other big cat species, according to Butfiloski. Originally there were 11 subspecies of cougars . Most tracks and pictures could possibly have been a different animal, which means that they cannot officially count as a cougar sighting. However, they may also consume fish, birds, and squirrels, and some have even been seen eating insects. How does allopurinol treat leishmaniasis. They are so prevalent that many people believe there are more mountain lions than there really are. Have you spotted any of the above in an out-of-place spot in the Palmetto State! Some say that the panther is a silent assassin and that he and his mate share their bounty. But Im not sure well ever see an established breeding population., Simpsonville City Council Notes: Road resurfacing projects delayed until 2024, Greer City Council Notes: Mayfield Road subdivision plans withdrawn, plus new fire station gets early approval, Greenville Chamber highlights community strengths at annual meeting, Greenville-Pickens Speedway listed for sale as an industrial park, Photos: Coca-Cola mural in West End removed, Former Fountain Inn flour mill redevelopment project breaks ground, Thrive Upstate, DRUM Percussion Studio to host Drumming Up Awareness event, Eight NAI Furman brokers, two brokerage teams named 2022 NAI Global top producers. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. Many biologists, myself included,would beexcited about the thoughtof finding a population of wild cougars in South Carolina.. This species is also known to hunt and potentially kill domesticated felines. Something was making the d---edest noise at me early one morning before dawn. What You Need to Know! Butfiloski, however, believes black panther sightings are likely black coyotes, bears, bobcats, and other wild animals. Since 1890 in the U.S. and Canada, there have been 100 attacks on humans at all, according to the research organization The Cougar Network. There are Mountain lions in North Carolina. Since then, there have been more sightings, but none of them have been confirmed. Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. Its a chick magnet, its a cool thing, Chastain said. We need a top predator to keep the coyotes under control.. A sampling of panther blog entries includes 'Seen [sic] a show on TV about black panthers in the Carolinas. 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. According to Perry, western mountain lions have established breeding populations in South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota in the last 25 years. I was just sitting here, and all of a sudden I looked and there it was on my front porch. The big cats once roamed the entire Southeast but were decimated by hunting. But I think many people are mistaking coyotes, bobcats, and other animals for mountain lions.. Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. And earlier this year, South Carolina passed a new law, effective next year, that makes it illegal to own a large wild cat, non-native bear or great ape.. ), I am convinced, now more than ever, that we must be proactive with educator compensation immediately so that we can change the trajectory of the shortage in CCSD. Scientists view these large cats as a distinct population (but still the same species) from the mountain lions of the western U.S. In fact, there are more than 80 names for the puma, more names than any other animal, according to the book "Cougar: The American Lion," by Kevin Hansen.It is important to note, though, that pumas . For more information . Contributed by John Garton, SCWF Board Member Emeritus. The last three eastern cougars were killed in 1930 in Tennessee, New Brunswick in 1932, and Maine in 1938. Instead, Lucas said the majority of sightings are likely misidentification of other animals like bears, coyotes or large dogs. Greenville, SC 29613. Greenville and Pickens Counties are among the several counties where sightings have been reported in South Carolina. Posts: 1,441. Could not stop to look at it because I had traffic behind me. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. Therefore, they are not usually considered a threat to people. Foolishly, they threw a dried piece of beef to the hungry carnivores. Panthers are simply another term for mountain lions or cougars, which are actually known by many different names. Born Free USA, a national wildlife conservation group, estimates there are up to 20,000 big cats owned privately across North America. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. These animals often end up being released into the wilderness areas. These cats get their name from their short tail. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images) The year was 1961. The Mauldin Police Department tried to capture the cat using a metal cage baited with a slab of beef donated by a local grocery store but quit after trying for several days. I think many people just get excited when trail cameras or videos reveal an animal in the woods.. The eastern cougar historically lived from Maine to South Carolina and from Michigan to Tennessee, the wildlife service said. The male mountain lion is a new individual to the lab's DNA database. There is another possibility that seems to be increasing in likelihood in recent years. the Service is seeking information on the status of the eastern cougar in the 21 states from Maine to South Carolina and west from Michigan to Tennessee where the Endangered Species . You have permission to edit this article. But they aren't true . Back away slowly, preferably to a place of shelter like a building or vehicle. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. However, they're becoming more and more of an issue in the Piedmont. But Chastain believes theyre only different from the Western cougars in that theyre smaller, which is a natural phenomenon among animal species in warmer climates. In fact, they usually receive close to 100 calls. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. 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. Cougars, also known as mountain lions, were once common here and they have left a legacy of place names throughout the state indeed, the entire Southeast. They are shy and do not like people, though they will live near populated areas. There's no question there are some. But SCNDR later concluded the animal was probably a black coyote. Home range for bears must include den sites, food, water and cover for adults and young. According to wildlife expert Ken Burton on the enature website, there are mountain lions in Western NC along the Smoky Mountains. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States 803-256-0670 mail@scwf.org It is estimated that cougars make a kill of a large prey item (deer, etc) about once each week. Mountain lions have a long tail that is usually darker colored at the tip. in weight. South Carolina is no stranger to dangerous wildlife. And last year, Ben Tanner, a Ladys Island resident, captured video footage of what appears to be a large cat stalking a deer. But then I found some female mountain lion sounds, and it was dead on. He lives in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant. 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. We Connect. // February 12, 2021. They have short ears and large round heads. While some South Carolinians are reportedly spotting mountain lions, others are claiming to see something much more menacing: a black panther. Everyone knows to watch out for alligators and sharks along the coast and for the occasional bear in the mountain, but here are five possibly out-of-place creatures to keep a keen eye out for. This, after the most famous mountain lion in Los Angeles, known as P-22, died in December . We can thank the Spanish for the mean wild pigs found here. July 21, 2017. Update privacy preferences to allow Google Map. . Published February 18, 2023 at 8:01 AM EST. However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. The mountain lion has a long tail (2.5-3 feet), while the bobcat has a short tail (less than 10 inches). In olden days it was considered folly for a traveller to venture far without a firearm. The massive cat cleared the road in one swift near silent leap. South Carolinians are likely seeing something, even if its not a mountain lion. There are eight to 10 reported sightings of mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. Yet, something occurred yesterday on an upstate highway that has inspired me to postpone the column that I had planned for this week. At full size, males are an unmissable 6-to-8-feet long and can weigh 150 pounds, say state officials. Fish and Wildlife . A 2011 article from The Post and Courier revealed a string of unconfirmed mountain lion sightings in the Lowcountry. Well-known naturalist Dennis Chastain of Pickens says there's no doubt that there are cougars (pumas/mountain lions) in the woods and wild places of South Carolina. . She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. If the sighting could have possibly been something else, then the state cannot confirm it as a mountain lion. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. Many people claimtheyre actually seeing a black mountain lion, but there has never been a mountain lion that has been seen, killed, or bred in captivity that is black,according to Perry. It had the exact cadence and shrillness of a females call when shes looking for a mate, he said. Currently, experts are adamant that there is no known mountain lion population in South Carolina. Can Cats Eat Rosemary? Fortunately, a mountain lion hasnt escaped captivity for more than a decade in South Carolina,according to Butfiloski. Mountain lions typically keep their distance from humans, he said. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. The West Virginia Wildlife Center . Nikolay Kapustin, deputy zoo administrator and veterinarian at the Greenville Zoo, said the prints, which measure 2.5 inches long, are likely coyote tracks. I was shocked when I first saw the prints, because they were so big, said Claes. Sometimes, they travel quite far to make this happen and they may travel so far that they end up in South Carolina. However, without females in the area, males are unlikely to stay for long. Heres how that came about: People go to a pet store and buy a baby cougar. Mountain lions are sneaky animals, he said. 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. As opportunistic animals, they tend to eat whatever size-appropriate animal they can find. More:Wandering South Carolina elk 'rules the roost' at new home in Charles Towne Landing. So you go for a ride with the big cat and let him loose somewhere in deer country which is anywhere in the state. They are a native species in South Carolina. Therefore, it is more than possible to live near them and never see them. 2023 www.independentmail.com. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. Note: A number of other species all over the world have been declared extinct, only to be rediscovered, having survived in a very tiny population that was out of sight long enough to assume them extinct. You're probably more likely to get into the Hardrock 100-and win it-than to see a mountain lion east of the Mississippi River.There are no mountain lions in Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Newfoundland and . Once they learn it, they do it again." Despite this there might be no free South Carolina animal services for wildlife within South Carolina County. Says Perry, Except for a very small population in Florida, there are no known groups [of mountain lions] in the Southeast, or east of the Mississippi in all truthfulness. Read on to learn exactly what people might be spying in the woods. Most sightings are not likely established populations. A mountain lion is a wild cat ranging from two to three feet tall, with females weighing up to 120lbs and males up to 200lbs, making it the fourth largest cat in the world. The sighting of this cougar cub occurred about a mile west of the Little Lynches River and within a few hundred yards from one of its tributary streams. Luckily, the big cats probably wont pose a serious threat to public safety when they do appear in South Carolina, according to Butfiloski. Bobcats are the most similar relatives of mountain lions and they share many physical and behavioral traits. The mountain lion was there hundreds of thousands of years before you . Whether they're called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, . Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011. 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. They brought them to South Carolina in 1500. 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. However, bobcats are extremely small, ranging between 1025 pounds. Cougars are one of the largest cats in the western hemisphere, but their highly-secretive nature as ambush predators with an ingrained aversion to humans mean they are rarely seen. Mountain lions were once native to South Carolina. Just as armadillo sightings and occasional crocodile visits are being noted around our coast, it's possible, that the Florida panther has made his way north, too. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Thank you! Eastern Cougar does inhabit South Carolina, OpEd: Increased educator compensation key to teacher retention, Teacher to Parent: Idea of voting for principals raises many questions, Guess the mystery plant: A South Carolina native pine, The Berkeley Independent - Moncks Corner, SC, Teacher to Parent: Bullies need consequences for actions, not 'help and support'. SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Holly and Hazel, welcome to the Bay Area. However, that does not mean that cougars may not end up in the state at all. There are some sightings of cougars in the area as well. Throw objects and yell. Get more stories delivered right to your email. "There's just no scientific documentation to back that up." . Some actually believe mountain lion sightings in South Carolina can be attributed to the Florida panther, the only surviving subspecies of eastern cougar. In South Carolina, this often leads to them eating smaller deer, rabbits, and rats. We want to connect with you to know your story and learn more about all you will contribute to the Furman community. By We Inform. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day! 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! Therefore, they are not exactly something we would count as big cats.. It was a female mountain lion.. I listened to bobcats, coyotes, and all kinds of other animals. Therefore, your odds of seeing a mountain lion are extremely low. Some people even claim SCDNR is covering up the presence of mountain lions. At Furman, students live on campus all four years. Where Mountain Lions Live. Hurricane Irma: Lowcountry animals moved to the Upstate, Kumar the orangutan escapes Greenville Zoo exhibit - again, Wandering South Carolina elk 'rules the roost' at new home in Charles Towne Landing. Some even claim to have spotted black panthers in the Lowcountry swamps. Andean Mountain Cat. Canadian Lynx vs Bobcat: How Do They Differ? Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. It was big and muscular. For years state biologists have treated sightings with suspicion. This feline only gets to about . Panther cubs are adorableuntil they grow large enough to eat their owners and become difficult to handle. 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. Their fur is short and rather uniform reddish to light brown in color. Learn more. All Rights Reserved. The reason given is that it had declared the animal to be extinct in 2011. Then, rather than establish a territory like they would in the West where they are far more numerous, they adopt "a vagabond strategy and roam an area of hundreds of square miles, Chastain said. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night. Similar to Tennessee's wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and . Federal Fish and Wildlife experts studied the matter of the Eastern cougar and declared it to be extinct -- at least in this region it is gone, they say. "Many of these deaths have occurred in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. Whether theyre called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, breeding population in the western U.S and, a. ccording to both the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, transient western cougars have been spotted in both states since 2015. In big cats, black panthers are actually jaguars or leopards. Male mountain lions, also known as toms, occasionally travel long distances and sometimes appear from South Carolina to New England, according to Perry. East Tennessee Mountain Lions- Part 2. So heres whats happened: The U.S. However, cougars do have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be. See more columns online at www.moultrienews.com. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. Adult males may be more than 8 feet long (from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail), and can weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. 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. 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. More likely these sightings are dogs, bears or even house cats.. You can legally trap and hunt bobcats with the right permit but they are endangered in some areas. Most of the mountain lions in South Dakota can be found in the Black Hills region, where there are an estimated 300 . . Leopards, however, live in Africa and Asia. The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. Sightings are sometimes reported to the state, and in 2019 multiple people took to Facebook claiming to have seen one, but no confirmations have been made. Instead, most cat sightings are likely bobcats. When it comes to black panther sightings, scientists believe these animals are most likely smaller bears, black wolves or panthers sighted when lighting conditions and shadows cause them to appear darker in color than they are. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. More:Hurricane Irma: Lowcountry animals moved to the Upstate. The last native mountain lion known to be killed in Pennsylvania is on display in the State Museum of Pennsylvania . Find a Local Lions Club. But they arent true Eastern cougars. Bobcats are South Carolinas only wild cat. But for one to make it from the Southwest deserts to the mid-Atlantic mountains, Piedmont, or coastal areas is unlikely. Today there are no wild reproducing populations of cougars in South Carolina. As we previously stated, these cats are not currently established in the state. These days the internet has become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings here. Their small size paired with their stealth ability allows them to stay hidden quite well. The report said it appeared to be a female lion with two kittens, or two . Cougars are known to have a long-range, especially males. . What is difference between bobcat and mountain lion? Contact Ron Barnett at rbarnett@gannett.com. 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. The last recorded escape occurred in 2003 when a 200-pound pet mountain lion named Rage broke free from his cage in Laurens County. Such conditions exist within Point Reyes National Seashore. Black bears can be found throughout North America. UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: Cougar, Puma or Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Felidae. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. But some residents, including Koehler, are already taking precautions. South Carolina - South Carolina has not had any confirmed mountain lion sightings. 'The DNR swears up and down there are no mountain lions left in SC. What's it like standing all day dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and waving at people? By Take adventure to new heights in the majestic mountain region of the Palmetto State. Hence, there was no Eastern puma/cougar to go extinct in the first place. Exceptionally stealth in staying hidden, bobcats are found in South Carolina, especially in the coastal plain. Only government bureaucrats could come up with a twist of logic like that. See answer (1) Copy. Cats need enough food within their territory to survive, so their ranges will be based on where food is located in the areasome may have territory that stretches over 40 acres. 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