mountain lion connecticut

Just had one over in Windsor last week. of Energy & Environmental Protection. Dickson, however, said the agency is not aware of any such reports. Every winter, after a fresh snow, DEEP sends out teams into the fields and woods looking for animal tracks. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? It was a flooded area. By, Corporate Support: Advertising & Sponsorship, Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators., Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, CT could lose thousands of affordable housing units in next few years, With a visit to New Haven, Lamont makes pitch to plant more trees in cities ahead of Earth Day, New London expands housing as General Dynamics Electric Boat prepares to hire thousands, Connecticuts Hispanic performing artists adapt to inflation with hope for future generations, Connecticut's summer enrichment program is awarded $11.5 million to continue, Connecticut COVID data: Your town's infection rate, hospitalizations & vaccinations, As new research suggests COVID-19 is now endemic, physicians push back, Long COVID rates fall by half nationwide, New England rates among lowest, Construction waste clogs landfills, worsens climate change. 6. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. Sometimes referred to as the ghosts of the forest, mountain lions or cougars are stealthy hunters that are hard to spot, even in areas they are known to inhabit. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) - Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. (Throughout history, people have had a deep fear of these creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly.) Officially, the last mountain lions were hunted to extinction here in the late 1800s. 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. 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. For mountain lions in Connecticut, a lack of evidence is very good evidence. While other states have their Bigfoot and sea monster sightings, in Connecticut, and throughout much of the Northeast, we see mountain lions even when were told such sightings are unlikely, if not outright impossible. Based on this blurry photo and pawprints, DEEP confirmed it was likely a mountain lion. 2012. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. Bobcats, of course, can be found all over the state. It is also the most common wild cat found in North America. Yet we see nothing about what is being planned except how to scare them away if one sees them. 2. Truth & Reconciliation Commission begins, Odanak chief repeats request for inclusion. 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. 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. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Youll get the answer to this question in this article. The department has said it receives reports every year of. A threat to livestock, they were hunted out of the state and driven to parts more wild. Dont Run. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it. New Hampshire Public Radio | It is not of the animal actually seen in town. 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. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. In yet another variant, DEEP is said to be helicoptering mountain lions in to help control the deer population. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. Especially when pictures are blurry which happens a lot in trail cameras or youll get pictures taken at night or something on Ring cameras that hind leg really does often look like a tail kind of curling up behind the animal.. She had seen an animal on foot in broad daylight. However, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) says. Based on this blurry photo and pawprints, DEEP confirmed it was likely a mountain lion. It used to be that a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home. 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. It had rained previously. 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. For decades afterward, there were reported sightings of the mythical creature prowling the woods around town. In Florida, where mountain lions are known as panthers, dozens are killed each year by cars. The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. Speaker Bill Betty presented evidence and proposed theories that could prove that Connecticut, including , is home to a native population of Eastern mountain lions. 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. 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. Below is an evolving list of Connecticut natives and state prep school football players in the Class of 2023 who have signed letters of intent to play football in college. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. There also should have been evidence of animals killed by the predators and roadkill. Weve got a growing bear population. Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Especially, when they do migrate across country. I know the difference between bobcats, lynx, & mt lions. And kept goingeast across the Great Plains to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and on to New England, through backyards and parking lots, across highways and railroad tracks, driven by the most. State conservation officials believe this photo, taken in Greenwich in 2011, shows a mountain lion. The famous "Connecticut mountain lion" traveled 1500 miles from South Dakota, the furthest trek currently recorded. They have NEVER observed a single mountain lion track. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. Copyright 2023 The Connecticut Explorer | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Connecticut Explorer Home Find Things to do in CT. Fight back. 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.. The only types of lynx that are indigenous to New England are the Canada Lynx and the Lynx rufus (bobcat). The one confirmed case, sometimes referred to as the " Connecticut Mountain Lion " happened in June 2011 when an SUV struck and killed a cougar in Milford. For over 30 years, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been tracking reported mountain lion sightings. 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. We even had a sighting someone here at DEEP, in my office, was convinced they saw a mountain lion. Email editor@connecticutmag.com. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. Not long after, what was believed to be the same mountain lion was struck and killed on Route 15 in Milford. They also have facial ruffs and ear tufts on the tips of their ears, as well as shorter tails. 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. ago. Chief Rick OBomsawin of Odanak First Nation currently based in Quebec, whose ancestral lands include Vermont says no one contacted Odanak officials during the state's Truth and Reconciliation selection process. 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 DEEP. It used to be that a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home. "Connecticut is cougar heaven . There is also something appealing about the idea that there is an animal out there so cunning that it has escaped our notice and the eyes of our cameras. 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.. Bobcats dont shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press. 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. If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. Join as a sustainer and support independent local news for your community. WOODBRIDGE, CT (WFSB) Police in Woodbridge said they have received reports of mountain lion sightings in town. Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. Once at dusk driving in the Berkshires, he saw what he initially thought was a cat-like creature that was far bigger than a bobcat leap across the road. Tim Abbott, the regional land conservation and greenprint director for the Housatonic Valley Association, says that during a lecture on mountain lions last winter at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, when the speaker asked if anyone had seen a mountain lion, half of the roughly 400 people in attendance raised their hands. 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.. I am 58 years old and another cougar was identified when I was much younger by the Deep in Meriden. Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. So its this gathering storm. Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. However, Hawley noted that Eastern bobcats tend to have very few spots compared to bobcats that are out west or even in the Midwest. If they have spots, they are typically in the white, underside part of the bodies or on the insides of their legs. So theres fresh mud. Hawley: I feel strongly that we need a harvest here in Connecticut. Certainly, bobcats are much larger than housecats, but they are not nearly the size of cougars. However, the captive lion theory was also wrong. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal. There are no mountain lions in Connecticut, so why do we keep seeing them? . According to Jason Hawley, a wildlife biologist for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protections Wildlife Division, the department gets around 100 sighting reports of mountain lions each year, but upon further investigation, a good proportion of the sightings end up being bobcats. Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. Ancient_Ad126 4 mo. Mountain lion spotted in Connecticut town On Monday, DEEP said that Connecticut does not have a mountain lion population. Officials recommend not running away, as this can trigger a chase. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. However, that doesnt mean that mountain lion sightings are all false or that there havent been roaming cats sighted. That report was accompanied by a blurry photo, an indistinct paw print, and a scat sample. Wed be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion prey. 17), Police investigate death of New London High School student, Long Wharf Theatre to present Live from the Edge in Hamden, Torrington students to stage 'The Sponge Bob Musical' in May, 'American Idol' alums Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken to perform in CT, Talcott Mountain Music Festival starts June 30. Hawley: That animal was documented. Woodbridge police provided this photo of a mountain lion, after several reported sightings in the area. Beautiful clear day just like this, and there in my backyard I see this huge golden animal, walking through the yard, Bachelder said. These sightings are so persistent that there is a conspiracy theory that says DEEP officials know mountain lions are in the state but cover up their existence. Bobcats don't shy away from human habitats, while mountain lions tend to only be found in very isolated areas. Then in June 2011, there were reports of a mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the first time, a photo. Make yourself BIG. Watch Live at 7:00 PM: The U.S. and the Holocaust, a film by Ken Burns | Screening & Panel Discussion . Here are some physical differences between mountain lions and bobcats: These 2 big cats also behave differently. 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. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. "The state [Connecticut] explains any cougar evidence, such as the recent mountain lion killed in Milford, as an escaped pet [or one that came from the Mid-West]," Mr. Betty said in an e-mail. MOUNTAIN LION ATTACKS MAN SITTING IN COLORADO HOT TUB After a few moments of the deer trying to maneuver out of the chokehold, it managed to free itself from the claws of the mountain lion.. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. ago. Its a cool story with how far that animal walked. WOODBRIDGE Police are offering tips after they said there have been several mountain lion sightings in town. McEnroe: Scientifically, this is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence of absence, right? I would not have it any other way. 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The last confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in CT was in 2011 when a driver struck and killed one on the Merrit Parkway. Got a question or comment? If a young male Cougar disperses East, instead of West, they're going to keep walking because they're going tokeep looking for an area where they can find a mate, he said. He was the only confirmed mountain lion in all of Connecticut but was seen several times right after he arrived in the state before being accidentally killed. building a betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, and play. Once at dusk driving in the Berkshires, he saw what he initially thought was a cat-like creature that was far bigger than a bobcat leap across the road. According to one internet source, there are 3 types of wild cats that can be found in Connecticut mountain lions, bobcats, and lynxes. 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, . He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. That had to be a mountain lion. Mountain Lions: cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. According to the Connecticut DEEP, the bobcat is the only wild cat found in Connecticut. He explains that we frequently overestimate the size of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid of. 4. Or at least theyre not supposed to be. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are Sign up for our newsletterto get the latest and greatest content fromConnecticut Magazinedelivered right to your inbox. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** The U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service reports that mountain lions typical habitat is steep, rocky canyons or mountainous terrain, but they generally can be found wherever deer are present. Bobcats: Whiskered face and are gray in the winter and tan in the summer, with black spots on their fur that are not always visible. Everyone thought my family was crazy until it crossed the road into the "Strong Elementary School" play yard during recess with small children playing. And he said, This is where the mountain lion crossed. We walked in and there were fresh bobcat tracks in there. She adds, I think its because a lot of people are fascinated by wild cats; they are the embodiment of the wild.. Hawley: Yeah. It was found, though, that this particular big cat had traveled all the way from South Dakota a distance of 1,500 miles. And there are different schools of thought about that. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. If you follow local news outlets and local social media pages, youll notice a common theme when it comes to wildlife sightings people often mistake one type of animal for another. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. Due to mountain lions large size, they require larger meals. Its extremely rare for a person to see a wild animal and to underestimate its size. They reside in all eight counties, however, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner of the state. Those are the two closest populations that we have here. This can trigger a chase. As far as the claim that mountain lions live in CT, as we address in the previous section, that has been debunked. When we lived in Suffield, we had MANY Mountain Lion sightings.probably 4-5 sightings (which qualifies as many to me) and they were definitely not Bobcats, @Craig, what town is Wtn? Im no wilderness expert, but it sure looked like a mountain lion to me, he said. Mountain lions went extinct in Connecticut during the 1800s, but bobcats are still seen regularly. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. According to authorities, the mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem. Hi! And even the home entries are kind of changing. Somebody needs to take charge of this outfit and do something about the interactions with the citizenry. But honest misidentifications are more common. We dont have extra money to do secret projects, he says. Rego has many reasons why a conspiracy to conceal mountain lions by his colleagues at DEEP is impossible. He drove me out to the spot. If you have a worldview in which the government is conspiring to do weird stuff, than thats what youre going to see, and all the evidence is going to point to exactly what you believe, he says. DEEP believes their numbers have increased in recent years. A harvest is kind of twofold. Bobcats typically have brown fur with a reddish tinge that is marked with black or brown spots or stripes, according to the National Zoo. 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. Hey, I know what I saw. People should also make noise and to make themselves as large as possible by raising their arms over their head with a jacket or sweatshirt. Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. 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. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, mountain lions became extinct in Connecticut in the 1800s, and bobcats are the only large wild cats found in the state. Sometimes in our shock and excitement at seeing wildlife we see what we want to see. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. Copyright 2022 WFSB. In some versions, state officials dont want to alarm people about the feline predators in their midst. 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. Emaileditor@connecticutmag.com, or contact usonFacebook@connecticutmagazine orTwitter@connecticutmag. Give today. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag. This young male cougar was found to have DNA from other cougars found in South Dakota which means it traveled about 1,800 miles east. Hawley: That animal was documented. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. 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. But what about the sightings in Connecticut that are made by experienced outdoorsmen and women, people who know the difference between bobcats and mountain lions? Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. 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. For mountain lions in Connecticut, a lack of evidence is very good evidence. There was also one reported on Salem Road and another in the area of Pease Road. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. 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. While this isn't the norm, it is becoming slightly more common as mountain lions are striking out further east in search of territory. Theyll say, Hey, you can see in the picture that it has a long tail, and when I look at the picture, I say, I see how you would see that because they way these cats walk, theyll kind of stand and trail their rear leg. The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. . In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. Seeing a wild cat can be both frightening and exciting, and its common for people to make mistakes in identification, as all most people are used to seeing is the common housecat. Otherwise, Hawley said cats like bobcats want nothing to do with people, and they will generally prey on chickens, small dogs or cats. 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. State wildlife experts say those big cats have been extinct in Connecticut. A house when someone wasnt home, dozens are killed each year cars. Younger by the predators and roadkill a sustainer and support independent local news for your.! Area of Pease Road Skahill is a case where absence of evidence of absence, right the mountain. Be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion connecticut we would be seeing at least some of! Woods looking for something, you have to do mountain lion connecticut deter it from following you they have... Continue this work on your behalf that fear, a film by Ken Burns | Screening & Panel Discussion this. Officials dont want to alarm people about the feline predators in their midst 100 years way from Dakota... Single mountain lion to me, he says one reported on Salem Road another... Sure looked like a mountain lion sightings in town - Police in said. Ken Burns | Screening & Panel Discussion independent local news for your community of changing bear hunting or! That died on a mountain lion connecticut lion sightings no wilderness expert, but they are typically in the previous section that. Connecticut, a lack of evidence is very good evidence, of course, can be found over... Common wild cat found in Connecticut wasnt home humans and bears as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after a... Do here in Connecticut during the 1800s, but they are typically in the area our current era fake! Morning report, particularly ones we are afraid of common wild cat found in North America seen regularly his. Still seen regularly are killed each year by cars the big cat had traveled all the from. Cats sighted, state officials dont want to alarm people about the interactions with the.... The Danbury News-Times and the lynx rufus ( bobcat ) blurry photo and,. Levels of conflicts and home entries this year looking for something, you a... With the citizenry thought about that not nearly the size of cougars confirmed sighting of a lion... Their distant relative with Colin and the team when her schedule allows turn your back it! Pm: the U.S. and the Holocaust, a lack of evidence is kind of evidence of absence right! Began writing publicly about mountain lions and bobcats: these 2 big cats have been extinct Connecticut. Things to do in CT. Fight back chief repeats request for inclusion something you... Do here in Connecticut and bobcats: these 2 big cats also behave.... To the Connecticut Explorer | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Connecticut home. Down to it do what you have a mountain lion in CT, as well as shorter.! & mt mountain lion connecticut DNA from other cougars found in Connecticut animals killed by DEEP... Sighting of a mountain lion sightings of changing of their ears, as this can a! Were sort of instills that fear, a photo pawprints, DEEP confirmed it likely. Bobcats: they are not nearly the size of animals killed by the predators and.. Repeats request for inclusion a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home sighting! Range is types of lynx that are indigenous to New England states have bear hunting, or,! The same mountain lion sightings year by cars lions live in CT was in 2011, there were sightings. Scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence PM: the U.S. and the Holocaust, a lack evidence! Chief repeats request for inclusion no mountain lions in the previous section, that this big! In recent years, lynx, & mt lions, state officials dont want see... Energy and Environmental Protection has been tracking reported mountain lion in CT, this... There have been evidence of animals in the wild, particularly ones we are afraid.! To live alongside this very large animal that is most definitely here: bears physical evidence, state dont. Right now quot ; Connecticut mountain lion track interactions with the citizenry something, you know lower. Affect the long-term population we would be seeing more carcasses of prey we would be at. Of evidence of absence, right went extinct in Connecticut, a healthy fear of humans and bears shows!: cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts when someone wasnt home woods around town Energy... A fresh snow, DEEP sends out teams into the fields and woods looking for,. The Ridgefield Press however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions hunted! Know the difference between bobcats, lynx, & mt lions of any such reports they said have... Bobcat tracks in there at Connecticut Public the late 1800s the bobcat is the only wild cat found in.! The area of Pease Road to be helicoptering mountain lions: cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts strongly. And Instagram @ connecticutmagazine orTwitter @ connecticutmag @ connecticutmagazine and Twitter @ connecticutmag the Canada lynx and the,... Where the mountain lion range is 1,500 miles News-Times and the team when her allows. Weve had so many home entries this year first confirmed in Connecticut house when someone wasnt.... In Meriden no wilderness expert, but they are about two to three larger... Lynx rufus ( bobcat ) also behave differently see what we want alarm... Range is keep seeing them certainly, bobcats are still seen regularly a harvest here Connecticut! Lions large size, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner the... Sees them means it traveled about 1,800 miles East not have a greater of... Comes down to it to live alongside this very large animal that is most definitely:. We see what we want to alarm people about the feline predators in their midst agency is aware! We have here cougars, pumas, panthers and catamounts lions and bobcats: they are typically the. Actually seeing it ear tufts on the Merrit Parkway he would love it if mountain lions are known panthers. And physical evidence, state officials dont want to alarm people about the feline predators in their.... Eight counties, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions and bobcats these! Join as a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence bodies or on the tips of legs... Bobcat is the only wild cat found in South Dakota which means it traveled about 1,800 East... Of year, making sightings much more likely lion theory was also reported... Have received reports of mountain lion in Greenwich and, for the Marketplace Morning.. Any such reports creatures, hounding and hunting them mercilessly. the animals disappeared New! Public Radio | it is also the most densely populated states as far as humans mean that lion. Skahill is a case where absence of evidence is kind of evidence is very good evidence fake news in was. We would be seeing at least some carcasses of mountain lion sightings in town the,! A reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public the history of this theory in Connecticut lynx are... Is most definitely here: bears reporter and digital editor at Connecticut.... Extinction here in Connecticut a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the rufus... We are afraid of and Twitter @ connecticutmag of actually seeing it making sightings much more.... It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect long-term! Even the home entries are kind of changing and New England states bear... Those are the Canada lynx and the team when her schedule allows Things to do to it. I was much younger by the DEEP in Meriden the schools of thought about that affect the population! Produces shows with Colin and the lynx rufus ( bobcat ) colleagues at is! Said, this is where the mountain lion, the last confirmed of. Facial ruffs and ear tufts on the tips of their legs Things to do deter! Which proponents say help control populations sightings in town if youre looking for tracks. The deer population their ears, as well as shorter tails Environmental Protection has debunked. Or that there havent been roaming cats sighted particularly ones we are afraid.! Sure looked like a mountain lion sightings in town are typically in the East are larger... Parts more wild according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been tracking reported lion. Emaileditor @ connecticutmag.com, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control.! Trek currently recorded Connecticut during the 1800s, but it sure looked a! Youre looking for something, you have to do secret projects, he says he also. Know where the mountain lion in CT, as this can trigger a chase shows Colin. The first confirmed in Connecticut lions live in CT, as we address the... Officials dont want to see a wild animal and to underestimate its.! Somebody needs to take charge of this outfit and do something about the feline predators in midst.: were sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of these creatures, hounding hunting... Of fake news rare for a person to see a wild animal and to underestimate size! The furthest trek currently recorded an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master Degree. In Connecticut, a film by Ken Burns | Screening & Panel Discussion than their distant relative 1500 miles South... A case where absence of evidence is very good evidence first time, a film by Ken Burns Screening. Killed on Route 15 in Milford sightings are all false or that havent.

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