According to wildlife expert Ken Burton on the enature website, there are mountain lions in Western NC along the Smoky Mountains. I know what I heard that afternoon, he said. Everyone knows to watch out for alligators and sharks along the coast and for the occasional bear in the mountain, but here are five possibly out-of-place creatures to keep a keen eye out for. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. Use anything at your disposal: a stick, rock, or better yet, bear spray. There are cougars out there, but they are all without exception the progeny of released Western cougars, he said. Some accounts from people in places like Travelers Rest and Simpsonville involve only sightings. Flickr/Ken McMillan. In South Carolina, this often leads to them eating smaller deer, rabbits, and rats. Eerie nighttime photos from trail cameras and tales of mountain lions attacking hikers flood social media and news channels. More:What's it like standing all day dressed up like the Statue of Liberty and waving at people? In 2017, the SCDNR issued a statement about the increasing incidence of South Carolina automobile accidents involving bears. When I stood up, it ran, shetold Fox News. What was once called the Eastern Cougar and roamed areas throughout the southeastern United States was declared extinct in 2011 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Now there are less than 100 panthers surviving in the swamps of South Florida. In fact, they usually receive close to 100 calls. Could not stop to look at it because I had traffic behind me. Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. (Dr. Thomas B. Horton is a history teacher at Porter-Gaud School. Thus, these cats inhabit rugged terrains with steep slopes and little vegetation. Black Bears. A trio of mountain lions were photographed by a trail camera near Lewis and Clark Park by Yankton on Aug. 31, Haffley said. Find a Local Lions Club. The male mountain lion is a new individual to the lab's DNA database. Jaguars and leopards, on the other hand, have a gene that occurs in six percent of the population that causes black cats. The DNR maintains mountain lion sightings using a system to receive, record and review mountain lion reports. They just stick to the shadows. Some sightings were later verified as a different animal, such as a coyote or bobcat. Your Safety in Mountain Lion Habitat. With that said, there are some sightings of mountain lions and cougars but none of them have been confirmed. Even though the WV DNR says there are no wild mountain lions in the state, there are some held in captivity at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. Greenville and Pickens Counties are among the several counties where sightings have been reported in South Carolina. In 2009, Jenkins responded to a call after several residents at Jasmine Cove apartment complex reported seeing a large cat in the surrounding woods. Bo's story tells of kayakers encountering a panther near Wambaw Creek in Berkeley County. Robert Downing, a former Clemson-based biologist for the U.S. 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. Even thought they're . Scientists view these large cats as a distinct population (but still the same species) from the mountain lions of the western U.S. Born Free USA, a national wildlife conservation group, estimates there are up to 20,000 big cats owned privately across North America. So heres whats happened: The U.S. Some actually believe mountain lion sightings in South Carolina can be attributed to the Florida panther, the only surviving subspecies of eastern cougar. 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South Carolina is no stranger to dangerous wildlife. There are no known mountain lions in North Carolina. According to Perry, western mountain lions have established breeding populations in South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota in the last 25 years. 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. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources receives at least 100 calls a year about mountain lions, according to SCDNR biologist Jay Butfiloski. The massive cat cleared the road in one swift near silent leap. Are you thoroughly confused? Adults are largely nocturnal, solitary and territorial. Featured Image Credit: Warren Metcalf, Shutterstock, Are Maine Coon Cats Hypoallergenic? . I stopped the car thirty feet away, and we stared at each other for a few moments. 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. Yesterday around 5 p.m., my husband, a realtor and myself had a Mountain Lion jump the road in front of us about 30 yards ahead of us while walking a 19 acre property in Murphy NC mountains! Well, this atleast proves that there are big cats in SC. #1 The tail. 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? My fears were that folks would say that dusk had played tricks on my eyes, that somebody's big Tom was on the prowl. But the Eastern mountain lion, the . Mountain lions, or eastern cougars, once "lived in every Eastern state in a variety of habitats including coastal marshes, mountains and forests," according to the 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. Bobcats are South Carolinas only wild cat. 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. The story cites lack of hard evidence for the . As for the black panthers the US, the majority of people are skeptical. Make noise, make yourself appear larger by waving your arms. The story was soon revealed to be a hoax but it reignited the many rumors of panthers and large wild cats in South Carolina. By Edmund Duncan May 31, 2022. The female is about twice the size of a house cat, and if you spot one out in the open, it's not a good sign as they tend to stay away from people and out of sight. Instead, theyre wandering males. The only established population of wild cats in South Carolina is the bobcat, which is not very large in the least. // February 12, 2021. UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: Cougar, Puma or Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Felidae. 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. So rather than a unique species, the Eastern Cougar was a distinct variation within the cougar population that roamed throughout North America. Therefore, they are not usually considered a threat to people. There are some black cats, such as leopards, but they are not native to North America. 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. bottomland forests They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover. 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. (You know, like the mascot of the NFL team based in Charlotte). The main reason people believe that there is a mountain lion population is that there have been some reported sightings. There is no established cougar population in the area, which means that these large cats are not currently breeding and living in South 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. For more information . In 1973, the agency added the eastern cougar to the List of Endangered . See more columns online at www.moultrienews.com. They are most active around dawn and dusk, though they will technically come out at any time. Many ridges, creeks, swamps and mountains were long ago named for panthers or the colloquial term "painters," both common names in this part of the country for the cougar. However, cougars do have a renowned wanderlust and are known for ending up places they technically arent supposed to be. The one potential South Carolina mountain lion, the eastern cougar, was declared extinct in 2011. While everyone knows the dangers of feeding a bear, most people overlook the possibility of one of them running across the road while you're driving. There is an estimated 130,000 wild hogs in South Carolina! Low near 65F. Nearby City: Chestnut Springs. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011. 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 mountain lion is largely extinct in the east, except in Florida. 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. Greenville Journal. There would be road killed cougar carcasses showing up at least once a year if we had an established population,he said. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. Cougars are rather long and slender in appearance. Most, if not all, wildlife experts and authorities believe black panther sightings are a result of misidentification. 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. stands 3,560 feet tall. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States. South Carolina has two populations of black bears. There is no way that this could remain a secret from the general population, said Butfiloski. Yes, usually in the Great Smoky Mountains . This cat can be found throughout much of South and North America. South Carolina has two populations of black bears. 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. Height: 3,068. North Carolina - North Carolina's mountain lion population is said to have died out around the year 1900. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. Don't underestimate the power and unpredictable nature of a feral hog! There are many reports made to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources each year about mountain lions. 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