i have heard of several sightings in buckingham co. and our local sporting goods shop (bass, bucks,and more) has a game camera photo displayed with a mt lion on it that the owner said it was taken in martinsville va. From: Big J. While living in Alvarado, Virginia, in approximately 1989 one night on my way home from work at about 11:45 p.m., I saw a big cat in my driveway about 80 yards from the house. I believe it was 2006 or 2007. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The total length of this species is 5-9 feet (cylindrical tail 2-3 feet) and it weighs from 100-200 pounds. Forestry rangers say they have spotted several mountain lions in the area. I would estimate that it must have been at least 60 pounds if not more. My husband saw it too. Holly Kuchera/Shutterstock.com. ", Yellowstone bison are a globally unique animal. I saw a mountain lion, and thats just the way it is, said Marchibroda, a dentist in her 60s living in Afton, Virginia. I live in Montgomery Co, and was wondering if you could tell me where exactly you saw the cougar in 2002 in Floyd county. There have been sightings of mountain lions in Virginia since the late 1800s, and its tough to imagine that every single one of them is misidentifying or lying about their experience, but it doesnt help that there hasnt been any physical evidence of mountain lions found either. But we are talking about an actual animal which has a possibility of existing in localized population in some areas of the east. The photo in question popped up over the weekend on a local Bigfoot enthusiast's Facebook page, which prompted some discussion. Cat like head and ears and face, long tail (about 20+ inches), bristly fur, grayish-brown in color, rather thin overall. Ancestors of the cougar (also known as catamount, mountain lion, bobcat, puma, panther, painter, wildcat, and ghost cat) crossed into North America roughly 8 million years ago, and the species Puma concolor evolved around 400,000 years ago. Human expansion and economic progress have driven natural predators out of Virginia, giving the deer free rein. Bears on the other hand, are a dime a dozen and we see them every year. However, the area is surrounded by a wildlife refuge and is also known for wild horses. However it was way too fast, too quiet, and did not move like a deer. 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. Mountain lions once lived in much of the eastern United States. HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Its a simple question with very different answers depending on who you ask. My husbands friend hit a mt lion in front of Otter River Elementary School in Bedford county last weekend. SHE SAID IT WAS THE SAME SIZE AS THE DOBERMAN AND ATE ALL THE FOOD VERY FAST, SHE SAID WHEN IT WAS COLD IT WOULD SLEEP IN THE DOBERMANS BED. Hello We saw the first one on route 610 (Busted Rock Road) just southeast of Vesta. Unfortunately, these animals have been pushed to the brink by hunting and habitat loss, and they arent nearly as common as they used to be. Having myself grown up in western North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I heard all the stories about the puma, or catamount, as it was called, hanging on in the most secret hollows of the realm. It was standing in front of my car. 21 years ago Nancy Hugo published an article in Virginia Wildlife Feb 1987. The size of a lion's territory depends on the availability of food and habitat quality. So these sightings have been confirmed, and there is in fact at least one mountain lion roaming around in Tennessee. I looked outside & about 300 ft. behind my house was a panther. I went to Chestoa, which is an awesome overlook pretty much between Altapass and Linville. One on a Farm just a bit out of Town. It was about the size of a friends dog, which is about 15 tall and 2 1/2 feet long. As it stands, there are no native populations of mountain lions in Virginia, but that could change. cat ran across the road in front of our truck. My e-mail address is gardrserv@yahoo.com & would be more than willing to give anyone any info as to what & where I saw. They dont know that, theyre not genetically testing these animals.. I was almost back to sleep when it happened again and this time it was no house cat! At the base of the cliffs lived a mountain lion named . 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. They deny mt lions are here still. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Mountain Lions in New York. Blue Ridge Outdoors is your guide to fly fishing, the Appalachian Trail, biking, travel, and more in the Blue Ridge and beyond. Has anyone else seen a large cat in the Campbell County area? I live out in Rappahannock (A good portion of the county is in Shenandoah National Park) and Ive seen cougars twice once in 1998 and again in 2006. Loudoun County Va , where they are now expanding the landfill , we hear the cougar cry less often now but it is still making its presence known and its a little further in the distance now instead of right at the back door. SHE THEN TOLD HER SON THAT A BIG KITTY AS SHE CALLED IT WOULD COME AND EAT THE FOOD AND DRINK THE WATER SHE PUT OUT FOR HER DOBERMAN THAT HAD PASSED AWAY. Comments have now closed permanently, however. This particular animal was chasing a dog across the road when hit. The more details the better! Love Virginia? And add to that the fact that someone may have actually been wrong. Well, then dont dress them up like sheep, he said with a chuckle. Upon seeing the lights, he turned around and ran into the woods. The dog was close enough I could open the door and bring her in. Losingand RegainingBalance in our Deer Population. No, its one persons opinion of the world around them as they exist in it. If you have any copies of these Virginia cats, you should post them or at least the links. Thank you! We have not had effective predators for deer, such as wolves or mountain lions, in Virginia since the early 20th . If they are in Virginia, shouldnt there be a photo by now from a camera trap? Both went into the woods without any fuss. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The day after the wolf incident my wife called from her work and advised me not to go in the pasture as a mother bear and cub had been spotted berry gathering there. If an animal approaches, prepare to fight and protect your head and neck from the attack. of Game and Inland Fisheries web site on the eastern cougar. They had their minds set and there was nothing that was going to change their minds. Authorities say there have been reports of . And yet there are numerous reports of hikers and residents spotting these creatures, especially in the mountains. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. It was extremely cold out, maybe -20F and we had just come out of the portal against the strong winds of the ventilation fans. he said. Thanks. In October & November of 2007, my dogs got to barking. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Virginia Taylor Painting on Porcelain Mountain Lion Puma at the best online prices at eBay! Virginia Dept. Since 1970, scores of wild mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. There have been 121 mountain lion sightings in Virginia since 1970. the Eastern Cougar is Puma concolor, reflecting the solid color without stripes or spots Four of us in Gladstone, VA (central Virginia between Lynchburg and Charlottesville) have seen black mountain lions (cougar, panther, whatever) on 4 seperate occasions. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the eastern subspecies extinct. Overall about 3 1/2 inches wide by about 3 inches front to back. 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. I was looking out my window but couldnt see anything. Interestingly, the Eastern Cougar did exist in Virginia up until around the 1880's, but The . He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News. We guessed it could have been but have no proof. or the puma to make official statements confirming its presence in the Eastern US and in fact might prove harmful to the cougar spur public fear if such a confirmation were made. Virginia has two different native species of wild cats. Tracks found near the sighting was confirmed by a retired wildlife biologist with the Smithsonian. This could cause an issue because they could go after livestock and cause problems for humans. At least, that was the case until recently, when a moose was spotted near Lake Frederick in northern Virginia. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it! About 30 years ago around Christmas, he received a call that a mountain lion was spotted in Grottoes. There have been some hunters around who swear there are mt lions in bedford county. We got a phone call last night that one of our neighbors (in Midlothian, VA) saw a lion in the back yard. That would be earth shattering for the depts. They might even been reproducing. Very fast and gracefull. There are just too many of these stories for her to believe that the cats are extinct. This is beacause the scream is that of the prey that he has just killed. . I am scared to go out, the police wont do anything, the game warden wont do anything until someone they said got hurt. Fish & Wildlife Resource. One of the first things we asked was if theyd heard screaming sounds. The U.S. If they escape, who is to say that they will not do what is natural and find a mate? tail, gray to tan in color. A lot of people dont know theyre around until they show up and start feeding on their bird feeders, and then all of a sudden its What are you gonna do about these bears?. There are an estimated 3,000 - 7,000 Mountain lions in Colorado. "At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, thus far and no further. If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour. It moved with grace and without sound. My farm helper saw one at approximately the same location yesterday. Mine me, Im not calling him a lier, but it does happen. The ones I saw sure would have no problem taking down a deer, or person for that matter! Most of the time we can find the original photo on the internet where it was taken out west or wherever. It stopped and looked at me for a minute, I didnt move, and then it went on into the woods where I know a rabbit lives. Mountain Lions are back, maybe. I don't believe any mountain lions are here. This is between Fairfax and Reston. Even if the Eastern Cougar and Florida Panther were considered members of the same subspecies, they would have still qualified for separate listings as distinct breeding populations. The folks living in those areas, at least in WV, mostly keep to themselves and most of those folks do not have computers. "I thought, 'holy cow, where did that come from?'" 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. In 1996-98 I lived in Catharpin, VA near Manassas Battlefield. Despite the widely-held belief in the scientific community that eastern mountain lions have been long gone and any cats seen roaming the region these days must have made the long trek from midwestern states like South Dakota, some Appalachian residents remain convinced that the cats never actually left the area. Tall and 2 1/2 feet long until recently, when a moose was spotted in Grottoes was house... Has two different native species of wild mountain lion was spotted near Lake in. That the cats are extinct looking out my window but couldnt see anything feet! 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