Since there is no melanistic, or black, phase to the cougar, Florida or Western, that is actually not genetically possible, he said. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. (Dr. Thomas B. Horton is a history teacher at Porter-Gaud School. Many wildlife authorities and experts, however, remain skeptical of mountain lion sightings across the Southeast. I guess a Florida panther could possibly roam into South Carolina, but Im not sure they would make it that far without getting hit by a car, said Butfiloski. The last three eastern cougars were killed in 1930 in Tennessee, New Brunswick in 1932, and Maine in 1938. We Inform. Ive received reports from every single county, he added. Today the only known reproducing population of cougars in the eastern US occurs in south Florida in the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp. Height: 3,068. 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. A Duncan, South Carolina, woman recently encountered a mountain lion while hunting and captured the intense standoff between her and the animal on camera.Watch the full video below or here. North Carolina - North Carolina's mountain lion population is said to have died out around the year 1900. The story cites lack of hard evidence for the . Sorry, Carolina Panthers football fans! They are most active around dawn and dusk, though they will technically come out at any time. Furman University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law in admission, treatment, or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities. The DNR stays on top of managing it for us, and for that were grateful. Someone will ask why I didn't take a picture to confirm my sighting and the answer is that it all happened so fast -- thirty seconds and the cat vamoosed. Could not stop to look at it because I had traffic behind me. There are approximately 20 recognized geographic races of the cougar throughout its range. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one-day! Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. 3. Subscribe today! 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. Driving along U.S. 341 an hour before sunset near the intersection of Winterhaven Road, one mile east of Kershaw, I saw what appeared to be a very large Tom cat crossing the road. From Mauldin to McClellanville, folks are coming forward to report their own sightings of the phantom panther. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources receives at least 100 calls a year about mountain lions, according to SCDNR biologist Jay Butfiloski. 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. In those streams where it's still possible to pan for tiny bits of gold, there can be heard the bone-chilling screech of the owl and the cry of the bobcat making a kill. At Furman, students live on campus all four years. Petersen quotes local nature guide Kathi Livingston, 'I know they say the cougars we see are escaped or released. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. Update privacy preferences to allow Google Map. This feline only gets to about 25 pounds at most. Last year, Ben Claes, owner of Jireh Property Services in Taylors, was cleaning a lawn down the street from Koehlers house after a snowstorm and noticed large tracks on the ground. At full size, males are an unmissable 6-to-8-feet long and can weigh 150 pounds, say state officials. I think many people just get excited when trail cameras or videos reveal an animal in the woods.. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. Another panther blog carries a local comment, 'My dad was born and raised in the Cainhoy area and used to tell me stories of the mountain lions that were around. Andean Mountain Cat. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. 4. Adding more confusion to the situation is the small population of elusive panthers living in the Florida Everglades. There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. There have also been several sightings at Clemson University over the years. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. My fears were that folks would say that dusk had played tricks on my eyes, that somebody's big Tom was on the prowl. Even more unlikely is for the jaguar to make it that far to have the rare gene that causes it to be solid black,said Perry. In South Carolina, bobcats typically inhabit areas of dense, thick brush such as bottomland forests in the coastal plain. Lucas, of DNR, concurs that the black panther is a myth. Theres also the matter that theyve officially been declared extinct in the eastern United States. The lab investigated the potential origin for the mountain lion using the lab's database which includes mountain lion samples from populations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oregon and Florida. The city of Simpsonville has also received calls about mountain lions over the years, according to Colleen Jenkins, an animal code enforcement officer for the city. These cats separate from their mothers to find their own territory when they reach sexual maturity, and males may have to travel very far to find free territory. However, that does not mean that cougars may not end up in the state at all. Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. Bo Petersen of the Post and Courier reported March 7, 2011, that 'Despite biologists' saying the eastern cougar is no more, big cat sightings persist.' Exceptionally stealth in staying hidden, bobcats are found in South Carolina, especially in the coastal plain. Well-known naturalist Dennis Chastain of Pickens says theres no doubt that there are cougars (pumas/mountain lions) in the woods and wild places of South Carolina. However, there has not been a verified sighting in over 100 years. 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. They can weigh anywhere from 1025 pounds. Only 14 red wolves remain in the wild half the number that were out there a year ago. However, without females in the area, males are unlikely to stay for long. Cougars are rather long and slender in appearance. Jaguars, which are primarily found in South America, have established a small population in Mexico and occasionally cross over into Arizona or New Mexico, according to Perry. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. They do have a tail, but it is only about 6 to 8 inches long. When you see the name "panther" "painter", "catamount" and other cougar synonyms attached to creeks, mountain peaks, gaps, and other features of our topography, it is a testament to the fact that this large predator was not only once here in South Carolina and the eastern US, but that its presence impressed people enough to name a place after it. Contributed by John Garton, SCWF Board Member Emeritus. Still 3 coon hunters treed and killed one a few years ago. "Many of these deaths have occurred in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. But mountain lions dont get along well with roads, according to Perry. Scientists view these large cats as a distinct population (but still the same species) from the mountain lions of the western U.S. 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. Answered by Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS (Vet), Beagle Pain Syndrome: Causes, Signs, and Care Guide, Rabies in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Care Guide, Have a cat? Pick up small children or dogs as they are more likely to run and are more vulnerable. Hubby's family lives in the Francis Marion forest and has seen a black panther along with black bears.'. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. This mountain sits near the border of South Carolina and North Carolina. A Florida panther in South Carolina? There are many reports made to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources each year about mountain lions. In an instant my senses said 'Bobcat.' A 2011 article from The Post and Courier revealed a string of unconfirmed mountain lion sightings in the Lowcountry. With spectacular hiking trails, scenic waterfalls and sweeping views, the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina are an outdoor enthusiast's dream. The head was round and large, the color was mottled brown, the height exceeded that of a house cat - that tail - well, it was as long as the cat and very thick. But Im not sure well ever see an established breeding population.. They typically target a sick deer or other individual animal not in prime condition. More likely these sightings are dogs, bears or even house cats.. 5 Reasons for This Behavior. Young cougars are marked with dark spots. This Florida population, once down to about 50 animals, is now thought to be back in excess of 100 animals as a positive result of recovery plans. Do not turn your back. According to Perry, the countys lack of pet mountain lions doesnt necessarily discount the sightings, because mountain lions can travel very long distances. He said it was highly unlikely, but possible that some people are actually seeing a western mountain lion or Florida panther thats managed to dodge traffic and travel to South Carolina. All Rights Reserved. Several years later, the story of a federal foresters escape from the clutches of a black panther in Oconee County made headlines. Greenville and Pickens Counties are among the several counties where sightings have been reported in South Carolina. They are found in many different habitats including swamps, mountainous regions, and forests. While they are relatively common in the state, it is actually quite difficult to spot them. Many wildlife experts and authorities are hoping that mountain lions will eventually migrate east from the Rocky Mountain states and repopulate the region. Mountain lions can bound up to 40 feet while running, leap 15 feet up a tree, climb over a 12-foot fence, travel many miles at 10 mph, and reach speeds of 50 mph in a sprint. Although gone from the eastern US (except Florida), the cougar is doing well throughout much of the western US, and is a game animal in many locations. Well, this atleast proves that there are big cats in SC. There are eight to 10 reported sightings of mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. 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. Greenville, SC 29613. Jeff Mulhollem. A trio of mountain lions were photographed by a trail camera near Lewis and Clark Park by Yankton on Aug. 31, Haffley said. Where Mountain Lions Live. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. 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. But SCNDR later concluded the animal was probably a black coyote. and that is exactly what makes these areas dangerous. SCDNR has yet to receive a report of drivers hitting a mountain lion, said Butfiloski. 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. At the time of European settlement it occupied a wide range of habitats from Canada well into parts of South America, and was found throughout the continental United States. Coyotes, deer, boar, eagles, and every snake imaginable. Trail cam picture of mountain lion in SC. In South Carolina, there are two resident populations of black bears, one in the mountains and upper piedmont and one in the coastal plain. However, these are far-off occasions and are a rare sight in the more rural areas of New York state. Theyve been here for thousands of years, Chastain said. A few years after the attack, the panther was pronounced extinct in the region. While out in mountain lion country (which is, frankly, most of Arizona), keep these tips in mind. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. In big cats, black panthers are actually jaguars or leopards. Therefore, it is not unheard of for a young male to wander into the state for a time and then leave. The thespians were nearly the stars of a Greek tragedy that day. The massive cat cleared the road in one swift near silent leap. Mountain lions do not currently have an established population in South Carolina. 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 . Many residents insist theyre either seeing or hearing mountain lions despite the lack of evidence. There may be a hint of nail indentations, which cats wouldnt have,he said. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. 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. Now there are less than 100 panthers surviving in the swamps of South Florida. Im making fun, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. For the past hundred years, many Southerners have believed a version of this story about the fate of the pantherotherwise known as the cougar, puma, or mountain lionin the Great Smoky Mountains. It is unknown whether they see them as competition or food. You have permission to edit this article. Something was making the d---edest noise at me early one morning before dawn. Their fur is short and rather uniform reddish to light brown in color. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. Contact Ron Barnett at rbarnett@gannett.com. Some actually believe mountain lion sightings in South Carolina can be attributed to the Florida panther, the only surviving subspecies of eastern cougar. They are about the same size as most domestic cats, after all. I'll tell you, these things are so fast I don't see any domestication at all.' They are also known as . Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? In South Carolina, as in much of the east, what largely remains of the cougar is its name, which is linked to many of our landscape features. Im not the only person hearing and seeing these cats, said Koehler. 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. Low near 65F. But who knows in a generation or so what might happen, he said. I assumed it was a cat.'. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. For two hours my mind replayed the details of my encounter with what has to be the Carolina panther. Should I Worry? A history of mistaken identity and conspiracies. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Most of their fur is a shade of beige, although some develop a darker . More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. South Carolina is no stranger to dangerous wildlife. This one looks almost cute, but that's because it's sleeping. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. Lets muddy the water a little more. The Canadian Wildlife Service has taken no position on the taxonomy. He lives in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant. 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. Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kameron Peresnovich. They are found at elevations ranging from 5,900 ft to 13,000 ft. We Inform. Andrew Moore of theGreenville Journalpens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Two clicks on Google search brought up pictures exactly like what I had seen - an Eastern cougar cub. More recent mountain lion reports stem from the Upstate. 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. Adults are largely nocturnal, solitary and territorial. Genetic data gathered from a number of samples shows a distinct lack of the genes required for that coloration. UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: Cougar, Puma or Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Felidae. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Cougars do not do well with roads and are often the victim of collisions with cars. The story was soon revealed to be a hoax but it reignited the many rumors of panthers and large wild cats in South Carolina. talk to a vet online for advice >. Fortunately, a mountain lion hasnt escaped captivity for more than a decade in South Carolina,according to Butfiloski. 2023 www.independentmail.com. As opportunistic animals, they tend to eat whatever size-appropriate animal they can find. 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. It had the exact cadence and shrillness of a females call when shes looking for a mate, he said. The eastern cougar, however, was declared extinct in 2011. Usually, it's a house cat, bobcat . Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Contact: (855) 411-0505. Few large animals have generated more lore throughout North Carolina than the cougar. The mountain lion was there hundreds of thousands of years before you . Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night. However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. I can tell you they werent from your everyday dog or house cat.. In 2015, Michelle LaRue, a research ecologist and speaker at the University of Minnesota and executive director of the Cougar Network, cast doubt on black panther sightings in a blog post, saying there is no compelling evidence that a single wild black panther has ever existed in the United States.. They are so prevalent that many people believe there are more mountain lions than there really are. Up until they get about 75 pounds, and they start eating three pounds of T-bone steak a day and tearing the furniture up and terrorizing the neighborhood.. Bobcats are known for taking down predators larger than themselves, but the mountain lion is just too much larger and stronger. Big Cat arched his back the way cats do when alarmed, and he bounded into the woods. However, even this species is not very large. 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. Service starts with Lions. The only established population of wild cats in South Carolina is the bobcat, which is not very large in the least. But then his neighbors dogs started barking. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Luckily, the big cats probably wont pose a serious threat to public safety when they do appear in South Carolina, according to Butfiloski. Many counties, including Spartanburg and Anderson, ban exotic pets. I live in the south eastern corner of Wilkes county on 70 acres close to Yadkin county and Iredell county. Body coloration can range from tan to gray and cubs are usually covered with blackish brown spots. Then there are occasional reports of mountain lion sightings in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, but no one to our knowledge has ever totally proved that what they saw actually was . The cougar (also known as mountain lion, panther, painter, catamount, puma, and other names) was once one of the most widely distributed mammals in the Western Hemisphere. Usually a shy cat, the cougar prefers to stalk its prey and is rarely ever a threat to people. But the population decreased in the 1900s as wild lands were cleared for agriculture and game hunting increased. Except for a very small population in Florida, there are no known groups in the Southeast, or east of the Mississippi in all truthfulness.. This cat can be found throughout much of South and North America. Make noise, make yourself appear larger by waving your arms. The last known living Eastern Cougar was sighted and suspected to have been killed in 1938. Bobcats will eat a wide range of different foods. Whether alumni of Furman, the parent of a Furman alumni or a friend of Furman, we consider everyone who supports this institution a member of the Furman family. They brought them to South Carolina in 1500. The eastern cougar or eastern puma (Puma concolor couguar) is a subspecies designation proposed in 1946 for cougar populations in eastern North America. Yet "domestic coyotes are responsible for 20 deaths every year." "The actual threat to people by . The mountain lion is largely extinct in the east, except in Florida. But some residents, including Koehler, are already taking precautions. 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. Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between . There are some black cats, such as leopards, but they are not native to North America. The responding officers later spotted the animal near Earle and Daniel halls, according to reports. 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