I did email the DNR when I got home 7 days later but never heard anything back.'. // February 12, 2021. Now to complicate matters further, there are some cougars/pumas living in Florida that are considered to be of the native Eastern variety. Many wildlife experts and authorities are hoping that mountain lions will eventually migrate east from the Rocky Mountain states and repopulate the region. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Mountain lions were once native to South Carolina. What You Need to Know! There are no known mountain lions in North Carolina. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The report said it appeared to be a female lion with two kittens, or two . 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. However, cougars do have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be. Sign up for our e-newsletters or subscribe to get our print publications. Are There Big Cats in South Carolina? 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. As of right now, there is a 0 recorded population of mountain lions living in New York. I was shocked when I first saw the prints, because they were so big, said Claes. The eastern cougar or eastern puma (Puma concolor couguar) is a subspecies designation proposed in 1946 for cougar populations in eastern North America. This feline is a close relative to the Lynx, which roams further up north. That cat was gone in a flash. Subscribe today! If attacked, fight back. Therefore, they are not exactly something we would count as big cats.. Today there are no wild reproducing populations of cougars in South Carolina. We Inspire. Koehler wasnt able to record the sound before the mystery creature moved on, but he remains adamant theres a mountain lion roaming around his house. The back story on why the myth or truth of the existence of Eastern cougars/pumas is consequential comes from Tennessee. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Andrew Moore of theGreenville Journalpens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Can Cats Eat Rosemary? While were on the subject of panthers which are also called cougars or pumas: Im sorry to have to dispel the myth that black panthers once roamed the Carolinas. Therefore, it is more than possible to live near them and never see them. Then about 8 years ago I was driving down Clements Ferry and one ran across the road in front of me just past the old Mikasa plant heading towards 526. A sampling of panther blog entries includes 'Seen [sic] a show on TV about black panthers in the Carolinas. 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. 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? February 12, 2019, the story of a man who claimed to have been attacked by a black panther in Georgetown county spread quickly across news outlets and social media. 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. The DNR stays on top of managing it for us, and for that were grateful. Im not the only person hearing and seeing these cats, said Koehler. Experts are adamant that there are no big cats in South Carolina, which they say can be confirmed because there is no roadkill or dead animals. 5 Reasons for This Behavior. They believe what they saw, said Butfiloski. They did at one point, but the last one was spotted in the early 1900s. In fact, the bobcat is the only native wild cat found in South Carolina today. More likely these sightings are dogs, bears or even house cats.. The animal started running so I decided to run and get away and jump in the river to get across to the other side, Fletcher told The State. Usually a shy cat, the cougar prefers to stalk its prey and is rarely ever a threat to people. I said in the forum "black panthers in the hunting woods," that there are black panthers in SC, and I know its hard to believe. In big cats, black panthers are actually jaguars or leopards. Location: down in a hole. Im making fun, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. Do not turn your back. Many counties, including Spartanburg and Anderson, ban exotic pets. Currently, there has not been a verified sighting in over 100 years. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. These cats get their name from their short tail. Sorry, Carolina Panthers football fans! They typically target a sick deer or other individual animal not in prime condition. Published February 18, 2023 at 8:01 AM EST. Their small size paired with their stealth ability allows them to stay hidden quite well. Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. 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. There are countless game and trail cameras out in the woods ofSouth Carolina at any given time, and nobody has photographed a large cat, yet these animals do show up on game camerasin states that have cougars, said Butfiloski, who believes the trail camera footage from Ladys Island shows a house cat. Tom Horton; Jul 2, 2012 Jul 2, 2012 Updated Aug 20, 2020; . This tail is a distinctive feature of mountain lions, but . Butfiloski said SCDNR would likely be eligible for federal money to study mountain lions and protect and manage lands for the presence of them if they actually appeared. The few precious seconds that we locked eyes thirty feet from each other will remain one of my cherished memories. Mountain lions cover a huge range - all the way from Alaska to Argentina and southern Chile. They arent much bigger than a domestic house cat in many cases. 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. But if so, are there mountain lions in North Carolina? All Rights Reserved. Pick up small children or dogs as they are more likely to run and are more vulnerable. There are approximately 20 recognized geographic races of the cougar throughout its range. South Carolinians are likely seeing something, even if its not a mountain lion. Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? But the Eastern mountain lion, the . Complete index of all the wonderful cat breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your furry friend is a crucial decision, We love our cats, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Understanding cat behavior can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, Complete index of all the wonderful dog breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your four legged friend is a crucial decision, We love our dogs, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Training your dog can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, The most complete list of dog food recalls, The most complete list of cat food recalls. Similar to Tennessee's wild elk and buffalo, the cougar was extirpated from the state around the early 1900s due to overhunting and . The subspecies as described in 1946 was declared extinct by the U.S. The last recorded escape occurred in 2003 when a 200-pound pet mountain lion named Rage broke free from his cage in Laurens County. Cougars are rather long and slender in appearance. The Eastern puma more commonly called a cougar around here has been declared extinct. North Carolina. The big cats once roamed the entire Southeast but were decimated by hunting. Our students develop intellectually from a challenging and supportive academic experience and, through high-impact, real-world experiences and mentoring, graduate ready for accelerated career and community impact. "There are no known cougars in North Carolina," Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission told the Observer. Posts: 1,441. In South Carolina, there are two resident populations of black bears, one in the mountains and upper piedmont and one in the coastal plain. What You Need to Know! Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. More:What's it like standing all day dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and waving at people? In 1973, the agency added the eastern cougar to the List of Endangered . Love South Carolina? Originally there were 11 subspecies of cougars . Robert Downing, a former Clemson-based biologist for the U.S. CHARLESTON Four endangered red wolves have returned to the birthplace of South Carolina, going on display in a zoo where their species freely roamed more than 300 years ago. East Tennessee Mountain Lions- Part 2. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? 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. 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. Hence, there was no Eastern puma/cougar to go extinct in the first place. 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. Male mountain lions, also known as toms, occasionally travel long distances and sometimes appear from South Carolina to New England, according to Perry. There are Mountain lions in North Carolina. A history of mistaken identity and conspiracies. Now there are less than 100 panthers surviving in the swamps of South Florida. But its still against the law to shoot one. Most of the mountain lions in South Dakota can be found in the Black Hills region, where there are an estimated 300 . While these cats are too small to threaten most people, they can sometimes hunt small livestockchickens are the most common victims. It is unknown whether they see them as competition or food. Koehler, for one, remains convinced at least one mountain lion inhabits these parts. See more columns online at www.moultrienews.com. It was at least 5 foot long plus the length of its thick long tail which was at least 3 feet. The US Fish and Wildlife Service lists both of these races as endangered. However, the 1946 taxonomy is now in question. Are There Mountain Lions in South Carolina. So what IS out there that these folks are seeing? For years state biologists have treated sightings with suspicion. Or could it? Take adventure to new heights in the majestic mountain region of the Palmetto State. In others, the encounters are more direct, like the report from a U.S. Forest Service employee who said a big cat had chased him into the Chattooga River. They . Were here with the info you need to separate fact from fiction. The fight would probably play out with one of the creatures stalking the other. I just assumed they were common around the Carolinas. So heres whats happened: The U.S. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. The primary food source for a mountain lion would be deer and there is no doubt we have lots of them but so does Georgia and South Carolina. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. Only government bureaucrats could come up with a twist of logic like that. Bobby, Brenda and Zack were doing what every child did- they were playing in the woods. The only established large cat is the bobcat in South Carolina. SCDNR has yet to receive a report of drivers hitting a mountain lion, said Butfiloski. 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 . There haven't been any cougars in Tennessee since the early 1900s. However, these are far-off occasions and are a rare sight in the more rural areas of New York state. The mountain lion is the largest cat in the borders of the United States and it roams mostly across the western states. DO NOT PLAY DEAD. Eastern Cougar does inhabit South Carolina. Most tracks and pictures could possibly have been a different animal, which means that they cannot officially count as a cougar sighting. Therefore, they are not usually considered a threat to people. In a national forest there that had been slated for logging, somebody said they saw a cougar. Environmentalist groups weighed in, and the logging was halted. From Mauldin to McClellanville, folks are coming forward to report their own sightings of the phantom panther. Young males must find their own territory after leaving their mothers. Butfiloski, however, believes black panther sightings are likely black coyotes, bears, bobcats, and other wild animals. Their bobbed tail is one of their most distinguishing features. Petersen quotes local nature guide Kathi Livingston, 'I know they say the cougars we see are escaped or released. As opportunistic animals, they tend to eat whatever size-appropriate animal they can find. Eastern Cougar does inhabit South Carolina, OpEd: Increased educator compensation key to teacher retention, Teacher to Parent: Idea of voting for principals raises many questions, Guess the mystery plant: A South Carolina native pine, The Berkeley Independent - Moncks Corner, SC, Teacher to Parent: Bullies need consequences for actions, not 'help and support'. Have you spotted any of the above in an out-of-place spot in the Palmetto State! There is another possibility that seems to be increasing in likelihood in recent years. Whether theyre called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, breeding population in the western U.S and, according to both the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, transient western cougars have been spotted in both states since 2015. In fact, somesay its already happening. There was one outside of my son's school once and all the kids saw it. Lets muddy the water a little more. These felines are comfortable in many . She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. The wildness of our country and the inherent dangers in just taking a walk to the wood pile insured that we would have the 2nd amendment to the constitution. There have also been several sightings at Clemson University over the years. We have had a couple of cougars escape from captivity over the past 30 years or so, but they dont elude leaving evidence behind.. . Furman students are academically challenged and leave Furman as lifelong learners who are changing the communities around them. Nikolay Kapustin, deputy zoo administrator and veterinarian at the Greenville Zoo, said the prints, which measure 2.5 inches long, are likely coyote tracks. 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. 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. Low near 65F. In South Carolina, this often leads to them eating smaller deer, rabbits, and rats. Our approach to admissions may be holistic, but our goal is singular: find the most well-rounded, academically accomplished and interesting students out there. 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. Web design & hosting powered by eNation Worldwide. Sometimes, these cats get pushed very far away from where they were born.. Lucas, of DNR, concurs that the black panther is a myth. Scientists view these large cats as a distinct population (but still the same species) from the mountain lions of the western U.S. By 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. These days the internet has become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings here. Apparently, there may not ever have even been a subspecies of the critter in the East different from its big cat cousins in the West also called mountain lions the agency goes on to report. Search for cougars continues in Pennsylvania. Theres also the matter of the absolute lack of any big cats being hit and killed by vehicles on our roads. Because of their immense range, cougars can be seen in a number of habitats. It is estimated that cougars make a kill of a large prey item (deer, etc) about once each week. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Bobcats are known for taking down predators larger than themselves, but the mountain lion is just too much larger and stronger. 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. I live in the south eastern corner of Wilkes county on 70 acres close to Yadkin county and Iredell county. It was big and muscular. 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. Panther cubs are adorableuntil they grow large enough to eat their owners and become difficult to handle. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. . Luckily, the big cats probably wont pose a serious threat to public safety when they do appear in South Carolina, according to Butfiloski. 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. 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. Note: A number of other species all over the world have been declared extinct, only to be rediscovered, having survived in a very tiny population that was out of sight long enough to assume them extinct. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. However, that does not mean that cougars may not end up in the state at all. 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