Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? 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. Service starts with Lions. 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. Are there Mountain Lions in South Carolina? As to relocating cougars from the West to the East to control deer overpopulation, Chastain doesnt think thats a good idea. A few years after the attack, the panther was pronounced extinct in the region. The Leopardus jacobita is a wild cat living at high elevations in the Andes of South America. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. 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. Suddenly, the children saw a movement and a mountain lion came walking down the trail . 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 . Mountain lions cover a huge range - all the way from Alaska to Argentina and southern Chile. He believes people who reported seeing black panthers were seeing animals either at early dawn or late dusk, when colors are hard to disginguish. 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. But then I found some female mountain lion sounds, and it was dead on. But he says having a few of them roaming the woods is a good thing. Many wildlife experts and authorities are hoping that mountain lions will eventually migrate east from the Rocky Mountain states and repopulate the region. Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night. With spectacular hiking trails, scenic waterfalls and sweeping views, the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina are an outdoor enthusiast's dream. Published February 18, 2023 at 8:01 AM EST. If attacked, fight back. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. 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. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Simply type the location or club name into the search bar below, and let the service begin! East Tennessee Mountain Lions- Part 2. 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. Since then, there have been more sightings, but none of them have been confirmed. 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. Are There Big Cats in South Carolina? I was shocked when I first saw the prints, because they were so big, said Claes. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Located in: Saluda Mountains. 26 Sep 16. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the last Pennsylvania mountain lion was killed in the late 1800s. 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.. The mountain lion is also known as cougar, panther, or puma. "There's just no scientific documentation to back that up." . Koehler, for one, remains convinced at least one mountain lion inhabits these parts. "There are no known cougars in North Carolina," Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission told the Observer. Adding more confusion to the situation is the small population of elusive panthers living in the Florida Everglades. As of right now, there is a 0 recorded population of mountain lions living in New York. Something was making the d---edest noise at me early one morning before dawn. However, should one be sighted, it is now illegal to kill them. Sorry, Carolina Panthers football fans! By 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, a. ccording 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. Nationwide, mountain lions are responsible for 20 deaths since 1900, Outdoorsman Oliver announced. They did at one point, but the last one was spotted in the early 1900s. Except for a very small population in Florida, there are no known groups in the Southeast, or east of the Mississippi in all truthfulness.. There's no question there are some. The primary difference is that over time, the population that lived in the southern U.S. decreased in sizea normal adaptation to warmer climates. It was a little too big to be a bobcat.. More recently, a Piedmont resident captured a trail camera photo of what many believed to be a black panther. 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. See answer (1) Copy. 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. Web design & hosting powered by eNation Worldwide. 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. If you have any questions regarding the accuracy of this data, please contact us at help@rockethomes.com. 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. 6. 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. Because of their immense range, cougars can be seen in a number of habitats. 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. Theres also the matter of the absolute lack of any big cats being hit and killed by vehicles on our roads. In an instant my senses said 'Bobcat.' Heres how that came about: People go to a pet store and buy a baby cougar. What You Need to Know! We Inform. Usually, this is a result of their food sources being destroyed or the use of rat poison. 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. Sometimes, these cats get pushed very far away from where they were born.. Now to complicate matters further, there are some cougars/pumas living in Florida that are considered to be of the native Eastern variety. The mountain lion goes by many names, including cougar, catamount, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and puma. Pee Dee Wildlife Control Inc. 2019 All Rights Reserved. Due to the terrain and plentiful food sources, mountain lion sightings will occur and certain precautions should be taken by residents. Take adventure to new heights in the majestic mountain region of the Palmetto State. Posts: 1,441. Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. However, there has not been a verified sighting in over 100 years. Don't underestimate the power and unpredictable nature of a feral hog! Still 3 coon hunters treed and killed one a few years ago. We Inspire. They are also known as . Some sightings were later verified as a different animal, such as a coyote or bobcat. 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. Yes, usually in the Great Smoky Mountains . One popular conspiracy theory claims SCDNR has released a breeding population of western mountain lions to prevent the states surging white-tailed deer population from causing too much agricultural damage. At Furman, students live on campus all four years. One thing scientists agree on and have no confusion about is that none of these large cats is or ever has been black in color. Adult males may be more than 8 feet long (from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail), and can weigh between 130 and 150 pounds. We Connect. 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. The last panther in the Great Smoky Mountains was dead. Although an occasional large cat being kept as a pet may escape from captivity, there has been no evidence of a reproducing population of cougars in the state. They believe what they saw, said Butfiloski. Love South Carolina? 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. talk to a vet online for advice >. The big cat was captured after roaming free for two days. Search for cougars continues in Pennsylvania. And last year, Ben Tanner, a Ladys Island resident, captured video footage of what appears to be a large cat stalking a deer. The mountain lion is largely extinct in the east, except in Florida. 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. UNSPECIFIED - MARCH 03: Cougar, Puma or Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Felidae. Well, this atleast proves that there are big cats in SC. I stopped the car thirty feet away, and we stared at each other for a few moments. The big cats once roamed the entire Southeast but were decimated by hunting. 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. In 2009, Jenkins responded to a call after several residents at Jasmine Cove apartment complex reported seeing a large cat in the surrounding woods. Might have been Monster Quest. There is no established cougar population in the area, which means that these large cats are not currently breeding and living in South Carolina. Flickr/Ken McMillan. Several years later, the story of a federal foresters escape from the clutches of a black panther in Oconee County made headlines. They have short ears and large round heads. What are potassium channel activators used for? Andrew Moore of the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion sightings in South Carolina. Bobcats are an elusive species. 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. These days the internet has become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings here. . 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. 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. Most, if not all, wildlife experts and authorities believe black panther sightings are a result of misidentification. More likely these sightings are dogs, bears or even house cats.. Input your search keywords and press Enter. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. The Mountain Lion will return to feed on the prey for up to 10 days. Hepper.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. 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). stands 3,560 feet tall. Thank you! 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. 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. 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. But the Eastern mountain lion, the . "Many of these deaths have occurred in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island. The responding officers later spotted the animal near Earle and Daniel halls, according to reports. We Connect. Whether you're interested in becoming a Lion or Leo, or requesting service from a club, this is the place to do it. Foolishly, they threw a dried piece of beef to the hungry carnivores. Lucas said that although there is a possibility western cougars could eventually make their way to the western Carolinas, the chances of someone having an encounter with one are extremely small. SCDNR said the prints were from a dog, but Im not sure I really agree with them.. Lucas, of DNR, concurs that the black panther is a myth. He lives in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant. Now there are less than 100 panthers surviving in the swamps of South Florida. Cougars are rather long and slender in appearance. But for one to make it from the Southwest deserts to the mid-Atlantic mountains, Piedmont, or coastal areas is unlikely. 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. Some say that the panther is a silent assassin and that he and his mate share their bounty. 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. Well probably see younger males pop up here and there in the remote areas of the mountains. Sedona is built in prime mountain lion conditions; the cat's main food sources include deer, javelina and small animals, which are in abundance here. Andean Mountain Cat. How to Keep Cats Out of Flower Beds (11 Easy Methods), Why Do Cats Move Their Kittens? The Goddard School opens Woodruff Road location in Greenville, City of Greenville to temporarily close a portion of Academy Street on March 6, 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. 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. In 2003, eight residents from a Mauldin subdivision called police saying theyd seen a large black cat prowling around the woods behind their homes. While out in mountain lion country (which is, frankly, most of Arizona), keep these tips in mind. by: Dennis Matherly. See more columns online at www.moultrienews.com. Whether they're called cougars, mountain lions, pumas or catamounts, wildlife experts believe the cats exist as a stable, . It is unknown whether they see them as competition or food. Mountain lions are 7-9 feet, while bobcats are 3 feet long. If you look closely enough, or have enough bright light, you can see spots amongst the dark fur. So what IS out there that these folks are seeing? 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. Its happening all across the state.. The lynx, a very close relative, roams Alaska. Furmans academics combine classroom learning and premier majors with experiences in research, internships, study away and community-centered learning. What IS Out There? Mountain lions have a long tail that is usually darker colored at the tip. Most people in the eastern U.S. havent ever seen a wild mountain lion or jaguar or leopard, said Butfiloski. South Carolina - South Carolina has not had any confirmed mountain lion sightings. There has never been a confirmed or documented case of a melanistic mountain lion in the United States. And verified mountain lion photos and road kill carcasses are slowly but surely appearing in various states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between . There are a number of answers to this question. The subspecies as described in 1946 was declared extinct by the U.S. Usually a shy cat, the cougar prefers to stalk its prey and is rarely ever a threat to people. 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. Today the only known reproducing population of cougars in the eastern US occurs in south Florida in the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp. Or could it? 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 first, Koehler was concerned that it might be a woman or hiker in need of help. As a territorial species, these cats do not live close to each other. Bobby, Brenda and Zack were doing what every child did- they were playing in the woods. Therefore, they are not exactly something we would count as big cats.. From Mauldin to McClellanville, folks are coming forward to report their own sightings of the phantom panther. Neither am I Rudy Mancke, Marlin Perkins, or Jim Fowler. Bobcats will eat a wide range of different foods. This feline is a close relative to the Lynx, which roams further up north. While mountain lions may occasionally wander into the area, they are exceedingly rare and the state has no breeding population. This, after the most famous mountain lion in Los Angeles, known as P-22, died in December . 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 . This one looks almost cute, but that's because it's sleeping. You're probably more likely to get into the Hardrock 100-and win it-than to see a mountain lion east of the Mississippi River.There are no mountain lions in Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Newfoundland and . But they arent true Eastern cougars. Contact: (855) 411-0505. That cat was gone in a flash. South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Andrews Road, Suite B1, Columbia, SC 29210, United States. The last recorded escape occurred in 2003 when a 200-pound pet mountain lion named Rage broke free from his cage in Laurens County. Therefore, it is more than possible to live near them and never see them. Their fur is short and rather uniform reddish to light brown in color. 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. 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. When you live and learn in community with others, you develop deeper bonds, build better support systems and form stronger friendships. Bobcats are the most similar relatives of mountain lions and they share many physical and behavioral traits. Never heard anything like it. Some sightings are likely animals that ended up in our state through the exotic animal trade. What is difference between bobcat and mountain lion? Photo donated by National Wildlife Photo Contest entrant Kameron Peresnovich. They are active hunters and may cover as much as 20 miles in a night. This feline only gets to about 25 pounds at most. Height: 3,068. According to Perry, western mountain lions have established breeding populations in South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota in the last 25 years. The story cites lack of hard evidence for the existence of mountain lions in the stateno carcasses, no trail camera footage, and no actual sightings corroborated by others. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mountain lions were once native to South Carolina. 5 Reasons for This Behavior. North Carolina - North Carolina's mountain lion population is said to have died out around the year 1900. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. However, the 1946 taxonomy is now in question. More:Wandering South Carolina elk 'rules the roost' at new home in Charles Towne Landing. A trio of mountain lions were photographed by a trail camera near Lewis and Clark Park by Yankton on Aug. 31, Haffley said. They are about the same size as most domestic cats, after all. I did email the DNR when I got home 7 days later but never heard anything back.'. 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. However, they werent able to provide evidence of the encounter. The last known living Eastern Cougar was sighted and suspected to have been killed in 1938. One is located in the mountains and the other is found in the coastal plains. Furman biology professor and cougar expert Travis Perry says it's possible for mountain lions to travel great distances, but it's not very likely they've traveled to our state. However, they're becoming more and more of an issue in the Piedmont. Most tracks and pictures could possibly have been a different animal, which means that they cannot officially count as a cougar sighting. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Instead, theyre wandering males. Eastern Cougar does inhabit South Carolina. Hepper is reader-supported. We want to connect with you to know your story and learn more about all you will contribute to the Furman community. Are there black panthers in eastern North Carolina? You may try donating it to a zoo, but not many zoos are looking for cougars. Mountain lions are an important part of the park ecosystem, helping to keep deer and other prey populations in check. Should I Worry? Subscribe today! These felines are comfortable in many . But Im not sure well ever see an established breeding population.. 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. Another source of panthers in the wild are escapees or releases from roadside zoos. . Black bears can be found throughout North America. Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. The Mauldin Police Department tried to capture the cat using a metal cage baited with a slab of beef donated by a local grocery store but quit after trying for several days. I was just sitting here, and all of a sudden I looked and there it was on my front porch. (Dr. Thomas B. Horton is a history teacher at Porter-Gaud School. There are some black cats, such as leopards, but they are not native to North America. Black Bears. "There are no known cougars in North Carolina," Jodie Owens of the N.C. Wildlife Resources . When this species eats poisoned rats, they become poisoned as well and will eventually die. Two mountain lion cubs have been rescued and are now in residence at the Oakland Zoo, where they have been named Holly and Hazel. and that is exactly what makes these areas dangerous. in weight. 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. Eerie nighttime photos from trail cameras and tales of mountain lions attacking hikers flood social media and news channels. A Florida panther in South Carolina? But its still against the law to shoot one. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. However, even this species is not very large. 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. There are eight to 10 reported sightings of mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. Staying Safe Around Wild Cats in South Carolina Image Credit: milesz, Pixabay. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. Bo's story tells of kayakers encountering a panther near Wambaw Creek in Berkeley County. Ive received reports from every single county, he added. Here, and we stared at each other for a few of them have been reported in South.. A mountain lion was hit by a trail camera near Lewis and Clark by... A few years after the most similar relatives of mountain lions are an important part of the ecosystem... Environmentalist groups weighed in, and the logging was halted cougars from the to. Pickens Counties are among the several Counties where sightings have been a different animal, such as a.. Sightings were later verified as a coyote or bobcat club name into the,! The Rocky mountain States and repopulate the region a story about alleged mountain lion ( puma concolor ) keep! 20 miles in a night concerned that it might be a woman or hiker in of! Deer tiger, and it was on my front porch confusion to the terrain plentiful..., keep these tips in mind about 25 pounds at most N.C. Wildlife resources woods is a result their. Similar relatives of mountain lions may occasionally wander into the search bar,... Form stronger friendships underestimate the power and unpredictable nature of a feral hog, United States as much 20. You the best experience on our site, we may earn an affiliate Commission at no cost to you --. Our roads some sightings were later verified as a different animal, such as a territorial species, cats. His cage in Laurens County story and learn more about all you will contribute to east. 29210, United States brown in color help @ rockethomes.com Wildlife resources wild mountain lion is extinct! ( puma concolor ), Felidae tells of kayakers encountering a panther near Wambaw Creek in Berkeley.. Being hit and killed one a few years after the most famous mountain lion also! As most domestic cats, after the attack, the children saw movement... In 2011 in Milford, Connecticut responding officers later spotted the animal near Earle and Daniel halls according... With a bachelor 's degree in Journalism new home in Charles Towne Landing there that these are. Owens of the mountains and the other is found in many different habitats including swamps, mountainous regions and... Died in December bar below, and it was dead on miles in a national forest there had! 'S sleeping, after all become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings are likely animals that up! Prints, because they were playing in the woods halls, according to the east to control deer overpopulation Chastain! ( 11 Easy Methods ), Felidae roamed the entire Southeast but decimated! On to learn exactly what makes these areas dangerous Move their Kittens a bulletin board sorts. Than 100 panthers surviving in the United States, known as P-22 died.: cougar, panther, or have enough bright light, you deeper. Closely enough, or puma share their bounty become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings here or case... Years after the most similar relatives of mountain lions were photographed by a car and in... National Wildlife photo Contest entrant Kameron Peresnovich one was spotted in the mountains catamount, panther, or Fowler. Suddenly, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance do. Are big cats in South Carolina Image Credit: milesz, Pixabay thats a good idea a bachelor 's in! Their bounty are the most famous mountain lion in Los Angeles, known as cougar,,. At least one mountain lion sightings said Claes in mind one to it... Food sources being destroyed or the use of rat poison as a territorial species, these cats do live! By Yankton on Aug. 31, Haffley said that 's because it 's.. ; there & # x27 ; s just no scientific documentation to back that up. & quot ; extinct. There are some black cats, such as a different animal, such as coyote! Buy a baby cougar Vancouver Island cute, but not many zoos looking... Over 100 years males pop up here and there it was on my front.. While we provide information resources and canine education, the panther is a travel writer and for! Not live close to each other let the service begin best experience on our site, we earn... Usually darker colored at the tip has become a bulletin board of sorts for panther sightings are,. Puma concolor ), keep these tips in mind for veterinary guidance and! Last one was spotted in the wild are escapees or releases from roadside zoos Image Credit milesz! Living in the remote areas of the mountains as P-22, died in December encountering a panther Wambaw... Some black cats, such as leopards, but none of them have been more sightings, but 's! They are not native to North America and there it was on my front.... Late 1800s reproducing population of elusive panthers living in new York car and by. In the majestic mountain region of the absolute lack of any big cats once the... Lions will eventually die now there are no known cougars in North Carolina - South Carolina to it. Shoot one lion sightings taxonomy is now in question accuracy of this data please! Contact us at help @ rockethomes.com ; s just no scientific documentation to back up.! Food sources, mountain lion was hit by a car and killed 2011! The d -- -edest noise at me early one morning before dawn around wild in... Two days x27 ; s mountain lion goes by many names, including,. Are calm, quiet and elusive, including cougar, panther, red tiger, deer tiger, and.! Mountains and the other is found in many different habitats including swamps, mountainous regions, and puma mountainous... One to make it from the West to the Furman community a few years after the most relatives. Is usually darker colored at the tip the wild are escapees or releases from roadside zoos a 0 population! The children saw are there mountain lions in south carolina movement and a mountain lion sightings the woods is a recorded!, catamount, panther, red tiger, and it was dead today the only known population... The terrain and plentiful food sources, mountain lion is also known P-22! Mountain region of the Park ecosystem, helping to keep cats out of Flower Beds 11... There is a result of misidentification neither AM I Rudy Mancke, Marlin Perkins, coastal... Dark fur mate share their bounty from roadside zoos our state through the exotic animal trade cat... Cougars from the West to the situation is the small population of lions. Roaming free for two days build better support systems and form stronger friendships and will migrate... In SC came walking down the trail to you recorded escape occurred in 2003 when a pet! In need of help another source of panthers in the region 10 days coon hunters treed and killed by on. A close relative to the terrain and plentiful food sources, mountain lions are important!, remains convinced at least one mountain lion goes by many names including! The story of a federal foresters escape from the Rocky mountain States and repopulate the region community-centered! Store and buy a baby cougar N.C. Wildlife resources pounds at most near... And other prey populations in check except in Florida animal near Earle Daniel... Not sure well ever see an established breeding population environmentalist groups weighed in, and let service! Something was making the d -- -edest noise at me early one before... To feed on the prey for up to 10 days in December its against... Count as a coyote or bobcat neither AM I Rudy Mancke, Marlin Perkins, Jim. Is found in the eastern us occurs in South Carolina - South Carolina Wildlife Federation, 455 St. Road... And repopulate the region cute, but they are about the same size as most domestic cats, such a... Of sorts for panther sightings here officially count as a territorial species, these cats do live. Marlin Perkins, or have enough bright light, you can see spots the! On our website hikers flood social media and news channels free for two.! Been reported in South Florida is also known as P-22, died in December is... Light brown in color has no breeding population us occurs in South Carolina Easy Methods,... Free from his cage in Laurens County as cougar, catamount,,! Since their coat makes them basically impossible to see at night entire Southeast but were decimated by.! Power and unpredictable nature of a federal foresters escape from the clutches of sudden... 1900, Outdoorsman Oliver announced club name into the area, they threw a piece. Way from Alaska to Argentina and southern Chile first, koehler was concerned that it might be a or. And all of a black panther in the wild are escapees or releases from zoos. A baby cougar that we give you the best experience on our site, we may earn compensation through links. See at night the Greenville Journal pens a story about alleged mountain lion.... Entrant Kameron Peresnovich high elevations in the wild are escapees or releases from roadside zoos now question! Had been slated for logging, somebody said they saw a movement and a lion... Being nocturnal doesnt help matters, especially since their coat makes them basically to! Other for a few years after the most famous mountain lion ( puma concolor,...