The graceful animal was golden brown in color. I grew up in Lynchburg, VA. My husband quickly put our dog into his pen. Also one of my buddies friends that owns a house in remote Forest took a picture of a mountain . Look up the story of Rocky the African serval- an escaped pet that roams Virginia to this day I believe. Officials explained the deceased animal must have wandered from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Wild Cats in Virginia. FYI: for those who dont know HOW A COUGAR CRY AND BOB CAT CRY DIFFER: Even thou the cougar is a much bigger ,more powerful fearsom cat than the bobcat , the cries differ this way: COUGAR: the scream is more of a stronger from the bottom pit of the stomach frantic yell(like a 14 yr old thats been tramatized) and it repeats itself over and over and moves rather quickly from one place to the next. They didnt waste a bit of meat, it was all consumed in about 1.5 hours and then the buzzards came in to scavenge what they could. It was about 18+ inches tall at shoulder, about 24 inches from hip to neck. A large, darkish animal approximately the height of a retriever/setter, long tail that curved at the very end, large cat-like head, and very close, prominent shoulders, that I still can see moving up and down when I think about it crossing Meetze Road. Virginia's mountain lions, known as the Eastern puma, were once on the endangered species list. According to the National Zoo, the puma, also known as themountain lion, cougar, or, in Florida, the Florida panther, originally ranged from northern Canada to the southern tip of South America. Sandra Gray. Surviving pony has teeth marks at neck. After DNA testing . Any info would be greatly appreciated, 21 years ago Nancy Hugo published an article in Virginia Wildlife Feb 1987. Thanks, Beowulf, I am looking for someone in the Frederick county/Clarke county area to confirm a track/print I took a picture of. Instead, these sightings are likely captive cats that were intentionally or accidentally released or traveling cats from a state out west. Me and my team are currently looking into the idea that the Eastern Cougar, more commonly known as the Mountain Lion exist is the Appalachians of Virginia. If an animal approaches, prepare to fight and protect your head and neck from the attack. THERE ARE MOUNTAIN LIONS IN VIRGINIA, I HAVE PROOF. I live in historic Jonesborough, TN. Sarah, Whenever I see a big cat I look for tail characteristics for a sighting confirmation. We gathered the kids and went to retrieve them. Updated: Jul 3, 2016 / 10:29 PM EDT. I raise miniature horses and am quite concerned as we are surrounded by woods in Warrenton. In a small town called Coeburn. 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. The photo in question popped up over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion. He told me that there are areas in the Valley that could sustain mountain lions, but that the deer numbers there were too low, and theyd eventually make their way towards humans. Where I hunt in Linden the owners have said to have seen a really big black cat. So they say Mt. When it went in the woods all the birds starting chipping and flying all over. We never saw it again. According to LaRue and her research, lions recolonize by stepping stone dispersal, which essentially means they start traveling, find a nice habitat to set up shop for a little while, then move on to the next area with a suitable habitatand theyll do this for hundreds, even up to thousands of miles. Female cougars will raise a litter of kittens up until the age of about 20 months, LaRue explained, and then the young cats are kind of kicked out and left on their own. The males, especially, are forced to disperse away from the family, partly to avoid inbreeding, and partly because male cougars are territorial and wont tolerate any other males in their domain. So it could have been a red wolf. The other ignored us. It was about 100 pounds with a tail about 3 feet long. I was relating a story about a multiple sighting of a black phase mountain lion just a few miles from town to a friend that had arrived from middle TN. Which could be a pretty big deal, because up until now, the confirmed sightings in the east have been of male cats. I also found a recording online of a cougar cry and it was EXACTLY the sound I heard. I met with Michael Fies, Wildlife Biologist with the DWR, and we spoke about the history, extinction, and sightings of mountain lions in the Valley. he said. I dont know how realistic they are, but here are calls: Bobcat, cougar/mountain lion/puma/painter, whatever the name is in your area. Im guessing it was about 1987 but cant be sure. They are very ellusive cats. Definitely not a dog, too big for a cat. Do you know what it is? But according to University of Minnesota research associate and wildlife expert Dr. Michelle LaRue, its a little more nuanced than that. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Over forty years ago I decided to drive down an old farm road that ended at the Shenandoah River to see if it was a good place to put in a canoe. I saw a large bobcat at around mile 205-203 heading south on I-81. Copyright 2022 WHSV. I opened the door and told my husband to hurry up and come outside. So, i think that there are sightings that no one ever hears about. In many states, the season dates are often further broken down depending on the hunt area you plan to visit. Last year I saw a very large cat print left in the snow. I saw a mountain lion, and thats just the way it is, said Marchibroda, a dentist in her 60s living in Afton, Virginia. All we get are hearsay stories and misidentified wildlife. Mountain Lion. This was a favorite subject of theirs. I think the increase in goat and sheep farming in Appomattox County is attracting more predators. They then have to ensure that the picture hasnt been tampered with in any way, because Peterson said an astounding number of peopleboth misinformed wildlife enthusiasts and tricksters with too much time on their hands and access to Photoshopsend him shots of mountain lions that were clearly either edited or taken in a state out west. Some states, like Arizona and South Dakota, have an open season all year round. The game warden cut open the animal and it had 2 walker hounds in its stomach. In reply to D. Racey we would like to review your photo of the track. Though, they grew large quickly, and set themselves apart from the domesticated cat with ease They eventually returned back to the woods. This animal was a good thirty inches at the shoulder and must have weighted 150 pounds. Large aggressive alpha predator spotted in Central Virginia near Fredericksburg on july, 17 2018 Victim of animal attack treated for rabies. A few months later we saw another where route 740 (Sinkhole Road) intersects route 8 a few miles northwest of Stuart, VA. On both occasions it was mid-afternoon and we had a view (from a car) of the animals as they strolled 70 to 80 feet across open spaces. I saw one questionable critter a few years ago but I cant say 100% it was a lion. Someone is trying to instill fear about mountain lions on the loose in Virginia, though the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries says it's fake news. At the beginning of September there was an article in the Caroline Progress about a large cat in Caroline county with a picture from a game camera. I had NO idea they were so big ! So many, in fact, that they've been listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the mammal with the most names. It turned out the claim was based on selective use of daytime telemetry data only, and the panther is most active at night. Today's habitat could support a breeding population. Well, then we know theres a cougar there, Peterson said simply. There are a lot of feral escaped farm animals* and pets roaming around parts of the United States, so theres a chance that this is what people see. I saw one near my home in Floyd County. Managing them in that way allowed for populations to rebound, and thats what we think is fueling the dispersal. At which point we all said a cougar and he said how did you know. It was misty, and had rained the night before. If I knew how, Id post the picture here. The mountain lion was lying down in the snow. I guess I just dont want to believe they are here, because we live in the woods. They then took the trail that went in the opposite direction of the animal. A couple of sightings involved captive . My son and I definitely saw a mountain lion today while I was taking him back to college this morning on I-81 near Buckhannon in Virginia near the Blue Ridge Parkway exit; unfortunately, it had been killed by a car before we saw it. Since 1970, scores of wild mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. Moose are notoriously shy creatures, so spotting them anywhere is an exciting experience. It was not afraid of the dog at all, it walked back up in the woods and paced back in forth on a log. The fur was short and the common light red-brown hue of a cougar. But even when a new population does begin to grow, LaRue said the likelihood of crossing paths with them will still be miniscule. Their conclusion: "Sir, you don't have a mountain lion.". If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. (near Wise, VA) by a car. Thankfully we were vindicated by a clear trail cam sighting a couple years later. See also Are There Local Taxes In Virginia? I went on line and llistened to mountain lions and cougar screams and it sounded exactly like that. Where are they coming from? But it was very odd because the scream wouldnt quite finish and then it would start again. Good luck, I think and hope theyre here, its interesting to consider. In 2012, LaRue and her colleague Dr. Clay Nielsen published a paper in the Journal of Wildlife Management analyzing 178 confirmed sightings between 1990 and 2008 throughout the Midwestern and Eastern states and parts of Canada. By Bill Cochran. Could a mountain lion or cougar be in my area? We know what we saw. For those who dont believe in the sightings or tales of the eastern cougar, it is a misjudgment to criticize others for their experiences. I looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a panther. On thursday October 16,2008 at 5:30/5:45 pm, my folks wanted to show me the Blue Ridge Parkways scenic fall views. My friend and I couldnt believe what we had just witnessed. My 70lb lab is 24 at the shoulder for comparison. Females have gradually made their way into states like Nebraska, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Missouri, but according to LaRue, it turns out the midwest largely is not a great habitat. So its not unreasonable to assume that theyll continue on and eventually end up in states near and on the eastern seaboard, where lush mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge and Smokies offer prime habitat and sustenance (deer, primarily) for the cats. I live in Rockbridge Baths and found a trail of 4 dog prints in the woods! I bearly got a glimpse, thought at first it was a deer. But the thing about mountain lions is that females dont travel as far or as often, and when they disperse they dont go very far or very well.. Next time i go into the woods ill make sure to take my shotgun, Maybe this is why there are no pictures of cougars. There arent any mountain lions in Virginia, but there is hope that they may return to their original habitat! Dec 27, 2022. It lived across the cove form us, and it would scream out at night sometimes, so loud that chills ran down our spines. The West Virginia Wildlife Center is open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. I KNOW ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, WHILE SITTING IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT NEAR PHILPOT DAM(BASSETT) I SAW A BLACK BEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY 11 AM. Does it follow a path through the woods like a deer sometimes does?? Over time, female cougars could expand their range eastward through a stepping-stone dispersal pattern, occupying nearby habitat in stages. Since 1970, 121 sightings have been identified as possible mountain lions, but have not been officially . Until you have seen everything, it is naive to assume that your opinion is the correct answer. Had an Eagle land right outside the living room window one time. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Theres no guarantee that cougars trekking from South Dakota will stick around, or that the female in Tennessee will have kittens. I THINK IT IS AMAZING WHAT MAY BE JUST BEHIND THE TREES WHEN YOU RIDE BY A WOODED AREA. I just saw one a couple of hourse ago. The West Virginia Wildlife Center . Thursday, April 21, 2005. She was certain of the species but said it moved very slowly and appeared to be thin and weak. Yes, it is a cougar, but could the picture have been taken somewhere else??? 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. To learn more about "lion country" in Colorado check here. He told me stories of escaped mountain lions that hes seen, but noted that they typically stayed close to people, or near areas where they were kept. I nearly mastered replicating their calls. So were assuming there are at least two different animals, one that was hit by an arrow and one that wasnt.. Crossing by the large boulders on the trails was terrifying, only once did i see one behind a boulder when I passed. Many mountain lions used to roam the West Virginia wilderness. If you should see any one of these animals, you might be making a double take: As mentioned before, its highly unlikely that youll encounter any of these creatures in the wild here in the Old Dominion, but it isnt entirely out of the realm of possibilities either. Chronic Wasting Disease positive results in Virginia, 2009-19. Today two of us saw a very large cat with a rabbit in its mouth run across the golf course from forest to forest. The video appeared only weeks after the first ever sighting confirmed by the TWRA since its founding in 1974, when a trail cam in Obion County snapped a photo of what biologists suspected was a young male cougar. The wind chill was absolutely tremendous in the portal and the -20 outside felt balmy in comparison. He said, I went out at about dusk and I was looking around my property and at the edge of the woods I saw a mountain lion with a half dead groundhog in its mouth and it was tossing it into the air and catching it.. You can reach her at lpeters@newsleader.com or 213-9125. OK. 2 Sept about 12:30 maybe 12:45 I was jolted out of a good sleep by what I first thought was 2 cats fighting below my 2nd story bedroom window. How did they know this isnt an eastern lion? Rockingham Co., va Im not suggesting this a farm animal. 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. "It ran right in front of my truck a few weeks ago," said Kenneth Basler, a town official who said he saw the large cat around Stevens Pond off Route 23 between Monterey and Great Barrington. This was on January 25 at around 5:30 pm. doubtful. there could have been a population in the region that have now been able to only find refuge in that area due to encroachment of housing, etc. Theres just too few of them. In 1972 a large cat crossed the road in front of me while I was driving down a road in Appomattox Va. Its body including the long tail was as long as the front end of the truck I was driving (1970 El Camino). They acted like I had schizophrenia though admitted there have been other reports.even though they do not officially exist here. A boulder when i passed wouldnt quite finish and then it would start again it was,..., it is naive to assume that your opinion is the correct answer there, Peterson simply... 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