There have also been several sightings at Clemson University over the years. He points to Florida where, despite a known population of less than 200, several Florida panthers are killed every year by vehicles. Foolishly, they threw a dried piece of beef to the hungry carnivores. Still 3 coon hunters treed and killed one a few years ago. Throw objects and yell. Too many sightings, all reporting a big cat with a long tail, big head and paws - can they all be explained away as poor visibility, overfed ferrel cats, or active imaginations? I listened to bobcats, coyotes, and all kinds of other animals. July 21, 2017. 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. Nationwide, mountain lions are responsible for 20 deaths since 1900, Outdoorsman Oliver announced. However, these are far-off occasions and are a rare sight in the more rural areas of New York state. 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. However, they may also consume fish, birds, and squirrels, and some have even been seen eating insects. They are most active around dawn and dusk, though they will technically come out at any time. Also have positively ID'ed a large cat tracks on a pond dam on the same property, and the owner saw one 5+ years ago and now carries a .44 Mag on his hip whenever he goes hunting. 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. There is an estimated 130,000 wild hogs in South Carolina! Input your search keywords and press Enter. Lucas, of DNR, concurs that the black panther is a myth. Input your search keywords and press Enter. We Inspire. The last native mountain lion known to be killed in Pennsylvania is on display in the State Museum of Pennsylvania . In a fight between mountain lion vs bobcat, the mountain lion would win. 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. The reason given is that it had declared the animal to be extinct in 2011. Genetic data gathered from a number of samples shows a distinct lack of the genes required for that coloration. The only established large cat is the bobcat in South Carolina. The mountain lion has a long tail (2.5-3 feet), while the bobcat has a short tail (less than 10 inches). Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. But peoplecould also be mistaking black panthers for pet mountain lions escaped from captivity, according to Perry. 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. Petersen quotes local nature guide Kathi Livingston, 'I know they say the cougars we see are escaped or released. Something was making the d---edest noise at me early one morning before dawn. So heres whats happened: The U.S. The eastern cougar, however, was declared extinct in 2011. 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. But they aren't true . While they are relatively common in the state, it is actually quite difficult to spot them. Instead, theyre wandering males. Are you thoroughly confused? Greenville and Pickens Counties are among the several counties where sightings have been reported in South Carolina. Panther cubs are adorableuntil they grow large enough to eat their owners and become difficult to handle. Never heard anything like it. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States 803-256-0670 mail@scwf.org However, an individual animal is occasionally observed, or killed, as a result of someone releasing a "pet" cougar that got to be too much for them to handle. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. Mountain lions typically keep their distance from humans, he said. However, even this species is not very large. However, cougars do have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be. Butfiloski, however, believes black panther sightings are likely black coyotes, bears, bobcats, and other wild animals. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Are there black panthers in eastern North Carolina? Here is a list of the wild cats of South America: 10. Yet, something occurred yesterday on an upstate highway that has inspired me to postpone the column that I had planned for this week. They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover. Dominant toms may inhabit a 100-square-mile area, and any other males, including cubs that are just born, are competing against the alpha, he said. Cougars are rather long and slender in appearance. Update privacy preferences to allow Google Map. The large cats are not staying and breeding in the state. The last three eastern cougars were killed in 1930 in Tennessee, New Brunswick in 1932, and Maine in 1938. 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 . Its happening all across the state.. 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. Hepper is reader-supported. 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. However, they have not been able to confirm any of these sightings. Their name is derived from their short, or bobbed, tail. SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Holly and Hazel, welcome to the Bay Area. See answer (1) Copy. The Service acknowledges the broad acceptance within the scientific community of a single North American subspecies, identified as Puma concolor couguar (applying the scientific nomenclature that has been used to refer to the Eastern puma subspecies to all North American pumas), based on genetic analysis, the agency said in a release announcing the new rule. Low near 65F. But the Eastern mountain lion, the . 2. As opportunistic animals, they tend to eat whatever size-appropriate animal they can find. They are normally found in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. "There's just no scientific documentation to back that up." . General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. They . They can weigh anywhere from 1025 pounds. Several years later, the story of a federal foresters escape from the clutches of a black panther in Oconee County made headlines. But for one to make it from the Southwest deserts to the mid-Atlantic mountains, Piedmont, or coastal areas is unlikely. Neither am I Rudy Mancke, Marlin Perkins, or Jim Fowler. Heres how that came about: People go to a pet store and buy a baby cougar. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. 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.. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? Stay on top of dog food recalls here >, Have a question? 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. Service starts with Lions. "Since 1890 there have been 19 fatal Mountain Lion attacks in Canada and the United States," Mattson said. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal likely trekked more than 1,500 miles from South Dakota, a journey that was captured by trail camera (above). 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. Here in southern Utah, lions have been known to occupy home ranges as large as 513 square miles. They went back to the truck for buckshot. Sassafras Mt. stands 3,560 feet tall. See more columns online at www.moultrienews.com. 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. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States. Contributed by John Garton, SCWF Board Member Emeritus. Most people in the eastern U.S. havent ever seen a wild mountain lion or jaguar or leopard, said Butfiloski. Black Bears. Born Free USA, a national wildlife conservation group, estimates there are up to 20,000 big cats owned privately across North America. Big Cat arched his back the way cats do when alarmed, and he bounded into the woods. We Connect. 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. Why are there no mountain lions in PA? Some even claim to have spotted black panthers in the Lowcountry swamps. 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. Tom Horton; Jul 2, 2012 Jul 2, 2012 Updated Aug 20, 2020; . 5 Reasons for This Behavior. We Inform. Home range for bears must include den sites, food, water and cover for adults and young. All Rights Reserved. A few years after the attack, the panther was pronounced extinct in the region. Male mountain lions, also known as toms, occasionally travel long distances and sometimes appear from South Carolina to New England, according to Perry. 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. With spectacular hiking trails, scenic waterfalls and sweeping views, the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina are an outdoor enthusiast's dream. A distinctive feature is their 30-inch long tail (so different from our native and still abundant bobcat, which has a very short tail). Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. Greenville, SC 29613. What You Need to Know! Theyve been here for thousands of years, Chastain said. In fact, the wildlife agency has yet to receive a single piece of credible evidence even supporting the existence of mountain lions in South Carolina. With the closest mountain lion population being in South Florida, cougars would have to travel very far to end up in South Carolina. For a solid four seconds, Marchibroda watched as a large, sleek cat standing about three feet tall with a long, curled tail crossed Skyline Drive near Gavel Springs Gap less than 100 feet in front of them . South Carolinas collection of exotic pets includes mountain lions, tigers, and other big cat species, according to Butfiloski. Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night. I'm not Bill Bryson, and this column isn't entitled 'A Walk In the Woods.' Even more Aussies have come out of the woodwork, sharing stories of sighting black panthers and "mountain lion" type creatures roaming in Australia throughout the decades, with some reports . South Carolina is no stranger to dangerous wildlife. Your Safety in Mountain Lion Habitat. You may try donating it to a zoo, but not many zoos are looking for cougars. All rights reserved. Their beige or tawny fur helps camouflage them in countless environments. Adults are largely nocturnal, solitary and territorial. Bobcats are an elusive species. North Carolina. There is another possibility that seems to be increasing in likelihood in recent years. What's it like standing all day dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and waving at people? In South Carolina it is thought that the cougars occurring here were of both the eastern race (Felis concolor cougar) and the Florida race (Felis concolor coryi). Usually, this is a result of their food sources being destroyed or the use of rat poison. Where have there been recent mountain lion reports in the Upstate? In South Carolina, there are two resident populations of black bears, one in the mountains and upper piedmont and one in the coastal plain. Because of their immense range, cougars can be seen in a number of habitats. The back story on why the myth or truth of the existence of Eastern cougars/pumas is consequential comes from Tennessee. 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. Furman biology professor and cougar expert Travis Perry says its possible for mountain lions to travel great distances, but its not very likely theyve traveled to our state. Have you spotted any of the above in an out-of-place spot in the Palmetto State! The bobcat is plentiful in South Carolina but they are very shy and stealthy, and you may live in South Carolina and never actually see one. Fish and Wildlife Service, actually investigated several hundred big cat reports throughout the Southeast in the late 1970s and 1980s but found no proof of their existence outside of Florida. Low near 65F. Today there are no wild reproducing populations of cougars in South Carolina. This feline only gets to about . There isn't any evidence of mountain lions currently living in North Carolina. Leopards, however, live in Africa and Asia. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. According to wildlife expert Ken Burton on the enature website, there are mountain lions in Western NC along the Smoky Mountains. Weve received calls about mountain lions for years, said Butfiloski. According to Perry, western mountain lions have established breeding populations in South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota in the last 25 years. However, its unclear how many there arebecause no one tracks it. In the interest of gathering credible mountain lion sightings when mountain lions actually arrive in the east the research team here at eMammal has put together a guide to identifying mountain lions. Two clicks on Google search brought up pictures exactly like what I had seen - an Eastern cougar cub. The range of a Mountain Lion may cover 25 to 785 square miles. The West Virginia Wildlife Center . Therefore, it is more than possible to live near them and never see them. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. In 2007, Terrance Fletcher, a technician with the U.S. Forest Service, claimed he was chased into the Chattooga River by a 7-foot-long panther with jet black fur. They are so prevalent that many people believe there are more mountain lions than there really are. I did email the DNR when I got home 7 days later but never heard anything back.'. 'The DNR swears up and down there are no mountain lions left in SC. In big cats, black panthers are actually jaguars or leopards. For more information . 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. They are also known as . South Carolina can probably expect to see one in the next decade given the rate at which these lions are showing up east and north of their established ranges, said Perry. The eastern cougar, however, was declared extinct in 2011. . The size of a lion's territory depends on the availability of food and habitat quality. But mountain lions dont get along well with roads, according to Perry. However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. But who knows in a generation or so what might happen, he said. Eastern Cougar does inhabit South Carolina. He believes people who reported seeing black panthers were seeing animals either at early dawn or late dusk, when colors are hard to disginguish. While out in mountain lion country (which is, frankly, most of Arizona), keep these tips in mind. At Furman, students live on campus all four years. Charles Koehler, a Travelers Rest resident,was working in his garden last month when he heard a series of loud screams coming from the woods behind his house. A wild mountain lion hasnt been verified in South Carolina in about 100 years, said Perry, whos studied mountain lions for more than a decade. At first, Koehler was concerned that it might be a woman or hiker in need of help. in weight. 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. Were here with the info you need to separate fact from fiction. by: Dennis Matherly. 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. Bobcats are South Carolinas only wild cat. In 2007, Katie Araujo, a Paris Mountain resident, said she came face to face with a large black cat while sitting on her front porch. He recalls that the animal's tail was as long as its body and that the huge cat appeared to take up the whole lane as he crossed over. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Adult females are smaller, averaging 80-90 pounds. The male mountain lion is a new individual to the lab's DNA database. Long thought to be extinct, the Carolina version of the big Eastern cougar is alive and very well, thank you. While there is some doubt the cougar still exists south of the Canadian Maritime provinces, significant sightings occur in Tennessee and North and South Carolina. Sometimes, these cats get pushed very far away from where they were born.. Furmans academics combine classroom learning and premier majors with experiences in research, internships, study away and community-centered learning. While there may be a few stray mountain lions wandering around the state, there is not currently an established population. Similar to Tennessee's wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and . Males are considerably larger than females, which can be as small as 10 pounds. While some South Carolinians are reportedly spotting mountain lions, others are claiming to see something much more menacing: a black panther. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. There are Mountain lions in North Carolina. 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. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011. But if so, are there mountain lions in North Carolina? Some accounts from people in places like Travelers Rest and Simpsonville involve only sightings. There are eight to 10 reported sightings of mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. "We get lots of reports every year from folks who think they've seen a cougar. 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. A wild mountain lion hasnt been verified in South Carolina in about 100 years, said Perry, whos studied mountain lions for more than a decade. 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. 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. He lives in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant. Ask anyone who spends time in the South Carolina wilderness and theyll have a number of stories of their own sightings, camera/video footage and sightings by reputable people in the community. We can thank the Spanish for the mean wild pigs found here. They believe what they saw, said Butfiloski. UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: Cougar, Puma or Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Felidae. Bo's story tells of kayakers encountering a panther near Wambaw Creek in Berkeley County. There are approximately 20 recognized geographic races of the cougar throughout its range. Image Credit: bmarxdueren, Pixabay. Driving on, I reflected that many of the Upstate servicemen called up for the Army in 1918 were placed in the 81 st Wildcat Division. 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. . This feline only gets to about 25 pounds at most. In May 2018, a mountain lion attacked two mountain bikers 30 miles east of Seattle, Washington, killing one, but it's only the 15th fatal attack in North America since 1970. Learn more. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Whether they're called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, . In fact, they usually receive close to 100 calls. 4. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. It was big and muscular. 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. People who report these sightings come from all walks of life, and areusually sincere and honest. Two mountain lion cubs have been rescued and are now in residence at the Oakland Zoo, where they have been named Holly and Hazel. Those thoughts contented me for a few miles until some reflection revealed what should have been obvious when I first set eyes on the beast -- a Bobcat can't have a long, thick tail. South Dakota - South Dakota is home to mountain lions. But adult males average 140 pounds and 7 feet long from snout to tail. Over the span of my career in the Charleston County School Districts Human Resources Division, I have been a part of numerous di Read moreOpEd: Increased educator compensation key to teacher retention, What do you think of the current political issue of electing school principals? Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Luckily, the big cats probably wont pose a serious threat to public safety when they do appear in South Carolina, according to Butfiloski. Scientists view these large cats as a distinct population (but still the same species) from the mountain lions of the western U.S. Exceptionally stealth in staying hidden, bobcats are found in South Carolina, especially in the coastal plain. This, after the most famous mountain lion in Los Angeles, known as P-22, died in December . I know what I heard that afternoon, he said. . Visit his Web site at www.historyslostmoments.com. Mountain lions cover a huge range - all the way from Alaska to Argentina and southern Chile. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. The canyons can quickly become death traps after annual snowmelt and summer monsoon storms. Theres just no scientific documentation to back that up.. 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.' Few large animals have generated more lore throughout North Carolina than the cougar. Originally there were 11 subspecies of cougars . 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. Was hit by a car and killed one a few stray mountain lions, others are to. Western NC along the Smoky mountains Carolina than the cougar include den,. Of Arizona ), keep these tips in mind have generated more lore North! Car and killed in the coastal plains Perkins, or coastal areas is unlikely fact from fiction,! Of years, said Butfiloski yesterday on an upstate highway that has inspired me postpone! Highway that are there mountain lions in south carolina inspired me to postpone the column that I had seen - an eastern cougar is and... 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