Cougar sited, now what?
- Thread starter Krloucks
- Start date
Probably someones escape pet, I would be absolutely shocked if they're were cougars in new jersey. I hope they don't kill it.
May I ask how you def know there are cougars in new jersey. If there are cougars I find it hard to believe. South jersey is soooo tiny and cougars need large areas to hunt. If they are in south jersey they would probably also be in most of the northeast since there are tracks of woods much more wild then south jersey. I know they like most cats are incredibly secretive but I'm saying from a standpoint of habitat they require and the habitat that is available, it is unlikely. Don't get me wrong I wish they were here, but personally I find it extremely unlikely. In this case an 11 year old confirmed it as a cougar, and a cop. He is probably the same cop that sees a water snake and says it is a water moccassin. I hope I'm wrong....
Cougar habitat in the Pines?
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4392235&e=527214&s=100&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25
How 'bout it?
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4392235&e=527214&s=100&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25
How 'bout it?
I've heard people say this before. While the pine barrens are remote, for new jersey, and undisturbed for new jersey. In the big picture it is about the size of a thimble. Male cougars have a home range of over 100 square miles. They require undisturbed wilderness, such as the west. There is a reason there not on the east coast, it is because there is very little undisturbed wilderness. If new jersey was connected to other states I would think that there would be a slight chance of one being here. But being that a cougar would have to cross a pretty sizable body of water to get here, no chance. I can't see one swimming across the delaware through pennslyvania and not being detected by anyone.
I'm with you Dragon. Seeing a cougar in the pines would mean he was brought here or escaped from somewhere close by.
Dragoncjo, no one is saying it has to have been born in the wild, it could have been an exotic pet that grew too large and was released. There was a tiger shot a few years ago in Jackson, Ocean County, so a cougar in NJ is not inconcievable. 
Krloucks said:
Based on point made in detail in an earlier thread on the same topic, I lay heavy odds on any pine barrens cougar being an escaped captive! Claims that there "sure are cougars in the pine barrens" are surely the result not of objective evidence, but of romantic wishful thinking of a return to pre-colonial times.
Dave
There have been sightings for years ,my hunting partner saw one near folsom about 12 years ago.The game warden in the area spoke of them as accepted fact.I am sure that at one time the spieces was wiped out in Jersey and those that are here now are bred from escaped pets.
"if new jersey was connected to other states I would think that there would be a slight chance of one being here."
But there are occasional reports of cougar sightings in N.Y. and even in northern new jersey...
But there are occasional reports of cougar sightings in N.Y. and even in northern new jersey...
I could see one crossing the watergap were it narrows. I'll buy the escaped pet thing and the fact that they may be breeding is possible. Grendel, I thought you were saying that there was wild ones still here, captives are a possibility.
I have a book dated from 1902 that talks about the wildlife of the north east. The first hand accounts of cougars in Jersey and Pa are facinating, but even in Pa, the last recorded one killed was in the mid 1800's. For New Jersey, the book stated none were found in that state since much earlier than that. I could see them coming back ( coyotes et al) and you still hear of "sightings in both states" however, let's produce a roadkill or other evidence. Look at the fuss this last one caused, I would think if there were any sized population in Jersey that with the pop. density as it is, one would turn up better evidence.
I am not saying I believe there are cougars in the pines but, many populations remain very scarace but still exist in the pines; the bob cat is almost never seen but it still here in very small numbers. Even bears, a bunch of us found bear scat but with all the hours we collectively spend in the woods how often do we see bear? I have yet to. My neighbor saw one, but not me. I spend an enormous amount of time in the woods. I have seen coyote on two occasions, and rattlesnakes on two occasions. It is not too far of a stretch to imagine that cougars could be living in the pines (origins debatable) and remain unseen. Hell the Jersey Devil is spotted more than bobcats!!!LOL Now, if Mountain lions require 100 square miles of territory each, then that is another thing.
Just pointing this out. Also, I recall that Red Lion got it's name from a mountain lion that was killed in the bear swamp area near there.
Jeff
Just pointing this out. Also, I recall that Red Lion got it's name from a mountain lion that was killed in the bear swamp area near there.
Jeff
Well I dont doubt the habitat needs of a cougar, it would not surprise me that they are around on occasion. I know of deer that regularly swim accross the delaware river south of Trenton so I doubt it would be any effort for a Cougar to do it. Also another site I regularly visit there was a pic a Police Officer posted from a trail cam in north Jersey that clearly shows a mountain lion following close behind a deer.
Lots of deer, turkey, and geese down south waiting to be eaten.
Lots of deer, turkey, and geese down south waiting to be eaten.
ChrisNJ, do you have the web address for that site I would like to check it out. The fact that this thing is staying in one town makes me think it is someones old pet. A few weeks ago there were 4 sightings of a cougar in delaware, maybe this is the same one. I wonder what they would do with it if they did catch it. Put it in a zoo, or relocate it? I really hope they don't kill it.