COUGAR
QUEST - VIRGINIA
COUGAR
QUEST - VIRGINIAbtc@btcent.com (e-mail) www.btcent.com/CougarQuest.htm (web site)
Contact: Barbara J. Chaplin, Executive Director, Cougar Quest - Virginia
| BTC Enterprises, Inc. | Stories (& Map) | Brochures & Bulletins | Cougar Observation Form (web) | Cougar Observation Form (doc) |
In early February 2005, we were challenged to prove the existence of the Cougar (also called panther, painter, mountain lion, puma, catamount, and snarlygoster) in this part of Virginia / West Virginia as an adjunct to the work of various other wildlife / environmental organizations that are researching the "re-existence" of Cougars in the East. As many know, the U.S. Department of the Interior has declared that the Eastern Cougar was extirpated from the Eastern United States by 1900 - that means, it no longer exists here - ever again, no matter where you or we might see one or its tracks. In all fairness, there has simply not been enough "hard evidence" to unequivocally prove that Cougars do roam and are permanent residents in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and elsewhere in the East. Virginia and West Virginia laws list this species as endangered, but do not believe it exists in the wild in these states. The Federal "Threatened and Endangered Species Act" lists Puma (=Felis) concolor couguar as 'endangered, presumed extinct in the wild throughout the East'; clauses [50 CFR 17.21(c)(2) & 50 CFR 17.31] state: ' where listed as endangered or threatened, wildlife may be taken by a person "in defense of his own life or the lives of others" '. Thus, a "non-existent" aggressively threatening Cougar may be killed in "self defense" to protect family and livestock, with which we agree. However, we do not believe in indiscriminate killing, just because Cougars show up in their travels through 25 - 200 mile territories in a non-threatening manner, once in awhile. We do not believe they should be reintroduced into areas into which they have not already migrated. But, we do believe that those remaining few wild Cougars (wherever they came from and however they got here) should be acknowledged and protected, by citizens like you and us if not by government agencies. We believe people in areas known to have a resident or migrant Cougar population should be educated about Cougars, their habits and habitats, their normal elusive, retiring relationship with humans, their most normal prey - the whitetailed deer, and their most hated prey - the coyote (and any other semi-related canine animal, including dogs). We definitely believe that multiple sightings of one of these animals should be taken seriously by any authority to which it is reported and that those citizens reporting such rare instances where lives and property are endangered should be treated respectfully and with prompt investigation.
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We have agreed to act as the "sounding board" and collector of observation stories, proofs (including photos, video, tape recordings, track castings, specimen samples, and carcasses anonymously donated for DNA & other scientific testing - the only way to "undeniably prove" the "cat" is a "Cougar") for the Northern Shenandoah Valley sightings. We know they're here - we have our own stories! And so do our observers in Shockeyville, Gainesboro, Siler, Clearbrook / Brucetown, Hunting Ridge, Gore, Shawneeland, North Mountain, Mountain Falls, Shenandoah Nation Park (SNP), and other nearby VA, WV, MD, & PA county locations! [Notes: Some of our older SNP area stories are courtesy of Prof. Rob Simpson, LFCC, who graciously shared his files with us. The Observation Report Map is courtesy of Jeremy Vermillion, a CQ-VA volunteer.] |
If you have stories of sightings or close up encounters; photos of cougars or cougar tracks; cougar video or audio tape; track casting or hair samples & other specimen; or anything related to cougars sighted in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia / West Virginia / Maryland / Pennsylvania (or other locations), please consider sharing them. By sharing your information, unless otherwise noted by you, you authorize publication on this web page, in articles, and a future book to raise funds for this project. (Please Note: an anonymously donated carcass or skull donation will be held in complete Confidence!) CAUTION: Cougars are powerful, wild, carnivorous predators - while they normally avoid humans, please do not pursue or corner these animals in the hope of obtaining a photograph, video, or other evidence! AND, please do not shoot at or kill a Cougar unless your life and property are truly endangered by an aggressive life-threatening animal, authorities will not respond to your request for assistance, and you have no other option!!!
To help you remember the details of your observations, Click here [Cougar Observation Form (web)] for the web version - Click here [Cougar Observation Form (doc)] for the version created for MS Word 8.0 or higher (please be patient as this file transfers to and opens on your computer) - SAVE either form to your computer, then complete it, and attach & send it via e-mail, or send a printed copy via postal mail. Or contact us for an electronic or printed copy. Or just send us your stories via either mail or e-mail. We need your name, contact address / phone / e-mail (but will only publish your first name and last initial on this page), area of sighting (i.e., city, county, & as specific a property location as possible), and as much detail as you can provide. Send your information to btc@btcent.com (or by mail to Cougar Quest - Virginia, PO Box 2142, Winchester, VA 22604). We may contact you for further clarification, if needed.
For additional free information see Brochures & Bulletins below.
Join us in this exciting, citizen-science project. Please pass this request along and ask your friends and neighbors to participate. Thank you. Barbara Chaplin, Executive Director
* * * Brochures & Bulletins * * *
The following brochures, bulletins, and forms are available free of charge. However, a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your consideration.
1. Cougar Observation Form, available on the web page in two formats and in printed copy. Please Note: You do not need to complete this form to share your observations with us.
2. Introducing . . . Cougar Quest - Virginia: an introductory letter and part of our Mission Statement.
3. Cougar Quest - Virginia’s Cougar Facts: detail table and silhouettes of Cougar tracks and of a Cougar vs. other wild animals thanks to Michigan Wildlife Conservancy (www.miwildlife.org).
4. John James Audubon’s Cougar Research: detail table and copies of two of his Cougar paintings.
5. Wanted Poster: for window or bulletin board display showing what we want and the purpose of our quest.
6. Bulletin: Cougar Vs. The Law: Virginia and Federal law with CQ-VA Comments.
7. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Handout: reprinted with permission from VDGIF (www.dgif.state.va.us).
8. DOs and DON'Ts - reprinted with web permission.
9. Other flyers & brochures & observation / tracking workshop materials are constantly being created - please join us when we set up a public display or contact us for additional information. All CQ-VA material may be copied and used for educational purposes as long as Cougar Quest - Virginia is recognized as the copyright provider of the material and any other permission-granted copyright holders are likewise acknowledged.
* * * Stories (& Map) * * *
Disclaimer:
All posted observation reports are considered "credible",
however, no claim is made by CQ-VA that any report is "confirmed"
unless details of such confirmation are also posted.
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DATE |
PLACE |
OBSERVATION |
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| MAP | This map shows some of the many reported, credible but not scientifically confirmed, sightings of cougars in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, VA - Jeremy Vermillion, CQ-VA volunteer |
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Official Statements:
"VDGIF has never released cougars into the wild in Virginia,
and is not releasing cougars into the wild now. Furthermore, to our
knowledge, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has never released cougars
in Virginia, and is not doing so now." [Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Richmond Office via Rick Reynolds,
Wildlife Biologist, Verona Office - response to CQ-VA query received via
e-mail 11/10/2005] |
| 2008 May 28 |
Berkeley Springs, WV | Observation
Judy S 8:30 AM, I saw what I believe to be a panther about 200' away from the window, crossing the top of the yard at the summit of Spriggs Rd, S of Berkeley Springs WV, walking downhill towards the SE, and entering a semi-wooded area towards an apparently abandoned house on the next property. Because we lived in Kenya (foreign service), we are familiar with "big cats". In my opinion, this was definitely a mountain lion / panther. The most striking features were its very long tail, its rounded, cat-like head, and its steady, determined cat-like walk (like lions in the wilds of Kenya). The color appeared to be brownish-gray. I estimate the length of the body as between 3-4 feet; its tail was very long - about 3' - and carried slightly above the body in a relaxed manner. We searched for tracks &/or spoor, but found none. |
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| 2008 May 26 |
E. of Cumberland, MD | Cougar
Road Kill J.C. 6:30 PM rain just started; traveling E. on Rte 68 near State Park on motor cycle; slowed down considerably; saw dead animal about 5' back from the shoulder on the S. side of the road - observed large, long "cat" with 3' tail; did not stop & did not have camera; told friend who had contacted you before on 05/27/2008 and we called in the report. If anyone knows more about this roadkill, please contact CQ-VA. |
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| 2008 Feb. 26 |
Parkersburg, WV
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Phone
Query Pat [no last name] 2nd hand report of cougar allegedly hit by car between Parkersburg and Grantsville WV, euthanized by game officials on Monday Feb. 25, 2008 was questioned by caller. CQ-VA contacted John Lutz of EPRN (WV) for input / follow up. Turns out that this cougar, killed in Arizona in 1999, has been making the e-mail hoax circuit in VA, WV, PA, ME, & possibly other states. The e-mail (4 forwards with no original dates) that had been sent to John with this and another photo claimed the cougar was hit by a car between Grantsville & Walker WV and "charged the Fish and Game guy" when he went to "put him down". Moral: Check your facts before you forward a cougar kill allegation hoax-mail. Thanks, Pat, for putting us onto this one! And, thanks, John, for the facts! [CQ-VA Editorial Note: Oren L followed up with a phone call on 03/04/2008 (see his observation "Fall 1985") to say that a radio talk show host out of Wheeling WV claimed that the Grantsville 'roadkill cougar' weighed in at around 350# (!!!) - a bear maybe, but not a cougar - and added to the general hype & hysteria. Oren asked if we were debunking all cougar sightings in the Parkersburg / Grantsville area, and we hastened to tell him no - that this article is only about this particular hoax e-mail with the warning not to believe unsubstantiated "facts" propagated by individuals or the media.] |
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| 2008 Feb. 11 (report date) |
Coeburn, VA | Observation
Jonathan D & wife I live in Southwest Virginia. I grew up in Wise County. I now live in Abingdon. I just wanted to tell someone else about what my wife and I saw one evening near Coeburn, VA. This has been a pretty long time ago, probably 7 years ago. We were driving home around 7pm one evening in early August. We turned off the main highway onto a secondary road to take the scenic route. Not very remote, just off the four lane highway. As we came around a curve, a large cat (Mountain Lion) crossed the road in front of us. It leaped once to the center and once to the other side. I can still see it a vividly now as we did then. It was a fawn color, probably 4 feet long from nose to rump and had a long tail, about 2 feet. It had long smooth short hair. Not shaggy like a dog or for or coyote. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road where the cat entered the woods. It was out of sight. I have a friend that swore he saw one in the High Knob area while deer hunting there years before. I never did quite really believe him until that evening. I found out later, that a man just up the hill from where we saw the cat, raised chickens and had been losing some but didn't know to what. To the left of the road was a steep bank that goes down to the Guest River. It is a small river and I would normally call it a creek. Beyond that was private farmland that backed into the national forest. I have been an avid hunter for years, 25 or so. I have only seen one bobcat that whole career. So, I believe there are definitely mountain lions around. I don't understand why the state doesn't support this. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: We know that at least some of the VDGIF officials are aware that at least some of the cougar reports are valid. However, physical, scientifically re-confirmable proofs are needed to determine whether there is a native "wild" population or whether released / escaped "captive" cougars are responsible for these sightings. Our observers' stories help us map "possible" and "probable" sightings for future tracking expeditions and for current camera trap attempts (one is now in it's 2nd year - sponsored by the Federal Government and supported by the State agency; 2 others that we know about are sponsored by another cougar organization and a wildlife group). Only with photos, videos, & track casts (of adult and young cougars), or scat and carcass parts (for DNA testing) can we prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Virginia has one or more "wild" cougar populations, thus allowing the VDGIF to justify the budgetary allotment required for tracking these elusive animals. All assistance with this citizen science project is greatly appreciated!] |
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| 2008 Feb. 4 |
Leesburg, VA | Observation
Matt McC 6:15 PM; Sycamore Dr / Potomac Station Dr.; tan; tail same diameter base to tip (2'-3') = 3/4+ body length of 3'-4', had white tip on end, was held at 45 degree downward angle to body with last foot curved up; staking something in brush, moving like a cat; jumped across the ditch. Stopped vehicle; shone lights on the animal; got out to take pix with cell phone; animal ran off. |
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| 2008 Jan. 4 (report date) |
Surry County, VA | Observations
Earl T 1. Thought that you folks would like to know that a cougar has been spotted in Surry County, VA. A fair number of folks have seen the cat (including my wife and I). Hopefully no one shoots him. 2. There is no doubt that this is a mountain lion. The game warden has met with the local hunt clubs about him (or her). Month's ago he walked right in front of my wife's car as she drove down our driveway; he did not seem to care about her at all. When I saw him about 1 or 1 1/2 months ago, he was walking across the state road like he owned it. Then about 2-3 weeks ago we both saw him running across the state road in front of us - spooked by a bunch of hunters and hunting dogs. He appeared smaller to both of us in this sighting which means there could be two, though it was likely his speed that made him appear smaller. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: CQ-VA discussions with local game officials validated this report, while cautioning that the animal in question may not be "wild", but a captive that sometimes gets loose and has been periodically reported for several years. We hope to provide follow up in the future.] |
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| Fall - Every Year | Kerneysville, WV | Observation
Christopher J For many years have observed cougars in the fall, usually in the evening toward dusk, on Opequon Creek in Kerneysville WV area. <5 years away; wooded area. From: vehicle, on top of our tent, from Grandma's porch. Cougar activity: standing broadside, walking / running broadside, waling / running face on. Light brown color |
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| 2007 Dec. 31 |
Middletown, VA | Observation
Linda & Floyd (Sr.) H New Year's Eve traveling from Stephens City to Middletown to visit son and family; turned left from Middle Rd. onto Minebank; headlights caught large (shoulder height c. 2'; body length c. 3'; tail length 2'-3') tawny colored mountain lion on right side of road walking slowly broadside before turning slightly and entering wooded area. Stopped vehicle, backed up swinging headlights onto the mountain lion until it disappeared into the woods; it was not in a hurry or bothered by traffic. Our observation was pretty remarkable, made even moreso when a common house cat crossed the road at the next turn. Floyd Sr. made the comment that it was probably searching (and finding) Christmas leftovers being thrown out. |
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| 2007 Nov. 23 |
Page County, VA | Observation
Cory M On the morning of November 23, I'm certain I saw a cougar. My family has a cabin in Luray, VA in Ida Hollow, which borders the Shenandoah National Park. I was walking up the ridge where my hunting stand was located, still being somewhat dark around 6:45 AM, when I startled something upon reaching the top. I assumed it was a deer as I often jump them up in this spot but, the animal seemed to only run about 20 yards down the other side and then slowing down to a walk which seemed odd to me, as all the deer usually run off in the distance. After coming to the top of this ridge I still had to walk about 30 yards up it to reach my stand and while doing so I could hear the animal walking down below almost parallel with me. I got up into my stand and didn't hear anything for ten to fifteen minutes. Being light by now I heard some commotion in the thick laurel above me moving closer and closer to my shooting lane. The cougar ran a cross the lane 40 yards from my stand, moving up the ridge. I did not get to look at the animal head on, but it seemed to be as large as a yearling deer, and I could clearly see a slender tail sticking somewhat straight up in the air and being about a foot and half in length. I also could see the animal was tan and slightly lighter in color than a whitetail. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: From the tail description, this was probably a bobcat, not a cougar.] |
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| 2007 Oct. 21 |
I-81 near Buchanan, VA | Carcass
(Road Kill) Sharon C (& college age son) I-81 near Buchannan in rural area, approx. 9 AM, sunny; in moving vehicle <5 yards from carcass; body length 3', tail > 2'; animal lying on its side; color tawny brown, white cream mouth with dark outline surrounding it. The cougar had been killed by a car(?) very recently on I-81 near Buchanan close to the Blue Ridge Parkway exit in Virginia. I was taking my son back to college in Wise VA. It was completely intact when we saw it by the roadside. Very young cat; I don't believe it was fully grown. Due to where the animal was killed, it must have been seen by many people unless they simply weren't paying attention. You simply couldn't miss either seeing the cat (it was large), what it was, or it's beauty. It was right on the shoulder of the road - you couldn't help but see it, nor could you mistake exactly what it was. It was a beautiful animal. |
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| 2007 Oct. 20 |
Boyce, VA | Observation
Melissa Y Wild Cat Hollow Rd off Rte. 50, back side of Paris Mountain, 1 1/2 miles west of Sky Meadows; 8:30 AM. Description: 3' long, 3' high, 3' tail with crook in it; total shiny black coat, no other color; ears close to head, not pronounced. Deep in woods on a fire trail, heard long before saw, large black cat made quick, tight 360 degree turn on rock by the back of a pool approx. 25' away from me. Full extension as jumped off rock. 3 strides, sounding as heavy as a human's, took it 100 yards down the hillside into a meadow. "I was excited, not fearful, to see this elegant healthy full-grown cat!" |
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| 2007 Oct. 2 (report date) |
King George Co., VA | Observation
Craig H This is to let you know that I feel that we have confirming evidence of a large cat being back in King George County Virginia. For the past two weeks we have seen the raccoons, foxes, deer, birds and badgers vanish from our property. This morning we found two different spool or scat piles around two to three feet in diameter from a large cat about 60 to 80 pounds. I know that years ago we used to have a small black panther that had lived in the area for over twenty years before passing away and we do back onto the northern most section of the Great Dismal Swamp where this cat probably came from. I have seen stool piles like this in Mississippi with panther tracks around them so I feel pretty certain of what I am looking at. |
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| 2007 Sept. 27 |
Purcellville, VA | Observation
Marn K Cotoctin Creek, NE of Purcellville; about same size as 50# dog; blond color; slinking along the edge of the woods; tail definitely too long for bobcat trailing along ground; 2 streams, lots of deer; 1 hour before sunrise. |
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| 2007 Sept. 23 |
McLean, VA | Observation
Eric V Time: 4:30 PM, sunny & clear, 80 degrees; 5-10 yards from vehicle. Observed large cat cross the road in front of my vehicle from right to left and disappear behind brush in front of a residence. Stopped vehicle after crossing the animals path, but did not exit my vehicle and was unable to see animal. Animal was approx. 24"-30" tall. tan color with no discernible markings. Would compare overall size with a large German Shepherd or Doberman. Slender build with tail slightly longer than body. Tail was carried horizontal with the animals back during observation, curling slightly upward at the tip. As animal was first observed, was walking briskly, maybe a 'trot' would best describe it, then seemed to bound or leap into the brush; may have become aware of my presence. This was a cat for sure; specifically what type of cat I can not say, but bears strong resemblance to pictures of "mountain lions" that I recently looked at on the internet. Notes: This is a heavily developed area, only a few miles from Washington, but the area of sighting is near wooded areas including Pimmit Bend Park (Pimmit Run) and not very far from the Potomac River. We also have a deer overpopulation problem here. |
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| 2007 Sept. 15 |
Sheldon, CT | Report
Jeff W Puma sighted by two people in woods near Sheldon; slight rain, no clear tracks. |
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| 2007 Sept. 7 |
Chesapeake, VA | Observation
Eric K & family (3) + friends (4) Close to Dismal Swamp on Bunch Walnuts Rd., Chesapeake VA Evening - 5 minutes each of 2 consecutive days; sunny; 50-100 yards from back deck of house; photos & video. We were helping some neighbors move in rural southern Chesapeake and took a break on their deck. Their oldest boy saw what appeared to be a deer (getting dark) in the back of their 3 acre lot. He went to get his binoculars and soon discovered it was a cougar. Every one of the 2 family / 8 people saw it through the binoculars before it left. Myself and the other dad went back to the back of the property and with a spot light saw a baby cougar. This might explain why the mom stayed so close for so long, as it had a baby (thank goodness it did not decide to defend her baby). The next day the other dad saw the baby in the same spot and took a video and picture. The video and pic was sent to the VA DNR and it was confirmed as being a cougar. where the video and pic now is I do not know. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: CQ-VA has not yet obtained a copy of the photo or video. Rick Reynolds, VDGIF contact, was unable to track down who had received the evidence and who had confirmed that the animals were cougars. Hopefully, Eric will be able to get copies from his friend and share them with CQ-VA.] |
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| 2007 Aug. 2 |
Frederick Co., VA | Observation
Polly D (former zookeeper, B.S. in Wildlife Biology) 08/02/2007 6:00 PM, Sunny, in stationery vehicle, habitat: rural roadside heading into a thick wooded area toward North Mountain. Approx. 28" shoulder height, at least 56" body length, tail length >28" (curled near ground); color: tawny grey. I discovered later that 2 of my neighbors had also see it, but didn't say anything because they didn't think anyone would believe them. Their description was consistent with what I witnessed. We all saw it in the same location as well. |
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| 2007 July 29 |
Bentonville, VA | Observation
Ed B & 2 sons (ages 11 & 7) + 3 other children (ages 2 - 13) 1:00 PM, Bentonville, Whitney Land - on gravel road, in car, then got out for better look. Cougar was running down a path and into the woods; about same size as 75# Lab, but lower, longer, and more slender. No spots or ear tufts. Tail was not bushy; it was long (about the same length as the body or longer). Color was tannish brown / light brown. Face not seen clearly. Several streams, RR track, near Rte. 340. - Neighbor heard big cat growl on July 27 as she was getting out of her car. - Friend in Bentonville reported seeing a cougar 1 year ago in the western part of Shenandoah National Park. |
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| 2007 June 25 |
Martinsburg, WV | Observation
Charlow I live off Needy Road in Martinsburg.... WV. My cat went missing 2 weeks ago Last week around 1130 pm I heard cooing like an infant / or cat meowing sounds... went out thinking my cat had returned ... the noises stopped. Then last night as I went to put my key in the front door while returning home from work at 430 am, I heard an actual cougar snarl, in the area behind my home. They have just dried up a run off spring and cleared land behind my house for 2 additional home lots. I live in a hilly area just after Salvation Road in Stonebridge. |
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| 2007 June 24 |
Loudoun County, VA | Observation
Christa B (Park Ranger, Hunter) Road kill cougar carcass- Rte. 7 E Bypass Leesburg VA. Observed at 12 noon from moving vehicle & 5 PM from stationery vehicle; <5 yards; sunny weather. Tan body, black tipped ears and tail. Game warden contacted 6-7 PM. I was traveling from Harper’s Ferry, WV to Springfield, VA via Rt9 to Rt7 through Leesburg, VA. On the Rt7 bypass, I came across a struck COUGAR, laying on the left side of the road, just past the bridge for Business Rt7. On my way home from Springfield, VA, I decided to make sure of what I’d seen. I turned around, and revisited the scene. It most certainly was a cougar. When I got home, I contacted the VA DNR, and they apparently went to investigate and take care of the carcass. It had not been reported to authorities. In the past 72 hours, coyotes have been spotted here in the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and Northern VA, and there certainly isn’t a shortage of white-tailed deer. Perhaps the cougar is returning to its land. Might I suggest a follow-up by your group in this matter? I just thought I’d inform you of this recent development. Thank you for your time and interest in protection and conservation. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: This is a most interesting case. After various calls on June 29th, CQ-VA found that VDOT had received a call at 8:40 PM on 06/24/2007. The report read to us over the phone stated that the animal was picked up at unknown time by "Kinlaw", was described as "large dead cat", location "Rte 7 near Stockley Way, Leesburg, VA" (Stockley Way is actually Lane and this "location" is just south of where Christa saw the cougar on the Rte. 7 Bypass at the business route junction into Leesburg), case closed 1:10:54 PM 06/25/2007. No other cat / cougar / mountain lion pick up logged for 06/24 according to Fred with whom I spoke and who checked files. Rick Reynolds, VDGIF, followed up on July 2nd and was told the animal was a "dead deer". Another interested cougar quester contacted VDOT on Dec. 11th after finding out about this roadkill during a phone conversation with CQ-VA - following is a summary: "I called VDOT about the roadkill report of June 24 and a woman named Tracy was very helpful, checked the computer for roadkills on that date at Route 7 and Stockley Lane, and said the only thing picked up that day was dead deer. Finaly she asked what the animal was that had been killed. I told her it was a "cougar" or mountain lion and she said, "Oh, that sounds very familiar, I remember that call," and she turned from the phone and said to others in the room, "Does anyone remember getting a call months ago about a mountain lion being killed on the road?" Nobody responded and she continued to insist to me that she remembered that call. I asked her to connect me with "Kinlaw," the name mentioned in your e-mail to Rick Reynolds as the guy who picked up the animal. She did, and Kinlaw said he knew nothing about a mountain lion, and said he didn't actually pick up dead animals but called a contractor who did that. I asked for the contractor's name and amazingly, he gave me his name--Ali Khan--and his phone number. So I called Ali Khan - he didn't remember picking up a mountain lion and I tend to believe him. He added that "sometimes VDOT picks up animals and doesn't call me." He promised to check his own records for that day and call me back if he found anything but I'm not optimistic. Ali Khan called me back and said his records for June 25 (nothing for June 24) show a deer was picked up at Rt. 7 and Stokely "Way" that day. He also said he didn't pick it up, but the guys who work for him did so. How many layers are there in roadkill pickup? |
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| 2007 June 3 |
Woodbridge, VA | Observations
Angela DeH Today, as has happened every spring for the last 5 1/2 years, my Black Lab and Pit Bull mix dogs were going crazy barking on the back deck. Behind the house, at the edge of the woods, the cougar sat staring between them - its stare was intent; it leaned forward with bent knees looking ready to pounce or run. The cougar usually stays around for 3 weeks, emitting its bloodcurdling, long scream with a growl at the end. Its a lion for sure: small perfectly round ears, very lite cream / tawny color, a gigantic head, about the size of a Rottweiler or Saint Bernard, approximately 34"-36" when sitting to the top of its head. Watching it walk, the tail is fat, long, and curves toward the ground; the tail goes down at least as far as its ankles with the tip curled in the grass. The first time I saw it, I was sitting in the woods near a run-off pond, which is now a year-round pond. My dogs were stalking birds when the cat got up from its hiding place and started to stalk them; I got up yelling and it ran off. I've seen tracks in shallow water, sand, mud, and in clear spots in the woods but haven't yet made any casts. Neabsco Creek, which flows into the pond, would be an easy access route - a cougar can walk along the shallow creek under all the roads that cross over it. Others in this area have also seen this cougar each year. |
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| 2007 Apr. 11 (report date) |
Loudoun County, VA | Observation
Claire A I am writing you to inform you of 2 separate cougar sightings. These sightings are not from me personally. I live in a community in Loudoun County (Leesburg, VA). We have a 511 home community. One of my neighbors last week stated they saw the "panthers" down near the creek at Old Mill Vet off of Lawson Road. Her being new to the area I didn't believe her. Her fiancée also witnessed these cats. However, another neighbor posted on our community web site (he does not know my next door neighbor), that he was walking his dog on the trails in the early AM on the 8th of April and saw a Cougar. Now I believe my neighbor. After doing some research, I found your web site. I can try and get the people who truly saw these beautiful cats to e-mail you. In the meantime I thought you might be interested to know. The game warden won't respond to our calls because they stated they get calls all the time. Until they have a confirmed sighting with a picture they won't respond. Would they be keeping these beautiful animals in the interest of the cougar or hurt them? 'Cause I would really like it if we get a confirmed sighting to be able to trust that this animal will be treated with respect. After all they were here 1st. (Further clarification: 2 cats sighted together near Goose Creek, next to the W&OD trail near Lawson Rd.; single cat sighted 3/4 mile from other sighting.) |
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| 2007 Mar. 25 (report date) |
Crozet, VA | Observation
& Newspaper Report Randolph B I didn't know if you had heard about the cougar sighting in February 2007 in Crozet, VA (Albemarle County near Charlottesville). I just found out about your site, so I am emailing you the Newspaper copy herein. Before I add it to the end of this email, I just want you to know that I too saw a cougar about 1994/1995 between December and April near Crozet. My business partner lived in a rented house on the top of Bucks Elbow Mountain in western Albemarle County above Crozet. The road going up the mountain is dirt and zigzags for 4 miles to the top. After visiting the top, I was on my way down the 1-lane dirt road when a cougar went across the road 15 feet in front of my truck (I was going 10 miles an hour) and leapt up the embankment and went up the mountain into the woods (no leaves at this time of year...about 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. full sun). There was no mistaking what this was. The tail was as long as the big cats body which was much larger than a yellow lab. This cat leapt up that 15' embankment like it was nothing, stopped at the top and turned around and looked at me as I stopped the truck, and then went off into the woods. I got out and looked for tracks...then I went down the mountain and the next day I called the VA Fish & Wildlife folks. They were cool about the sighting and said they had had some recently in the area. Their Web site currently lists the Eastern Cougar as part of the fauna in Virginia. I am a very qualified observer as I have a Bachelors in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Ed and have taught same at the college level. I am also an amateur wildlife photographer and a lifelong fisherman used to the outdoors and can identify all sorts of creatures by their sounds alone. I'm a fairly good tracker and scatologist too. At the time I was 45 years old. There have been many sightings near Crozet. Crozet Cougar Seen Near Hilltop Street (Crozet Gazette-Feb 2007 Vol 1 No. 9 Pg 7) A large cougar was seen by Roger Rawlings in his yard on the north side of Hilltop Street in Crozet shortly before noon Saturday Jan. 20. Rawlings was cutting firewood near the rear of his lot, where it borders the eastern reaches of Barnes Lumber Company, and when he cut off his saw to move a branch he heard an unusual noise. He expected to find a cat when he turned around, he said, but was surprised and startled to see the cougar about 25 yards away. "It was pretty big. It wasn’t no small one," Rawlings said. "I got a good look at him." He estimated its length at five feet and described it as "tan with a white patch on its belly." Rawlings said the nearest the cougar came to him was about 15 yards. He is familiar with bobcats, he said, and the animal he saw was not a bobcat. Rawlings said the cougar "showed his teeth. He was staring right at me. I took off running as fast as I could." When he went back later to recover his saw he found no sign of the cougar. He said he believes they will attack. His neighbor Sharon Hutchinson said she has heard what she believes is the cougar in the same area, the woods between Hilltop and the railroad tracks, on three different occasions. "I heard that awful wailing like a baby," she said. She said one night her son’s dog, Jake, which was tied in the yard, "was raising a fit" barking and when she went to investigate she saw "a pair of yellow eyes" staring at her through the dark. "I swear to God it was there," she said. "I’ll guarantee he was there that weekend" [when Rawlings saw it]. Hutchinson said she reported her encounter to Albemarle County police. |
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| 2007 Mar. 17 |
Madison County, VA | Observation
Tammy T (Park Ranger) 9:30 PM, 5-10 yards, from moving vehicle; habitat: rural roadside, farmland, woodland My daughter and I were driving home from visiting with her grandfather in Madison County Virginia - on Rte. 658 heading toward Rte. 657. Before I came up to the three way stop sign at Ruth & Thrift, I saw this rather large cat crossing the road into the woods. This was a very large cat compared to domestic cats around here. It's color was a light tannish brown, the walk was different (head kind of down), it's size was large (but I do not think it was a full grown adult cat), it's ears were slightly rounded and it had a rather long tail. Nothing like a domestic cat. I was so excited that I called my mother immediately to tell her that I had seen some sort of wild cat but couldn't think of what it was called. I knew it wasn't a domestic cat or bobcat because the characteristics were not the same. My mother said that it sounded like a mountain lion - so I looked it up on the Internet and there it was. I keep telling myself, I hope my eyes were not playing tricks on me ... but I know what I saw was not a domestic cat or bobcat and looks VERY similar to a mountain lion. I keep looking at different pictures of mountain lions on the Internet because I did not want to report something unless I am absolutely sure and this is something I am sure about. |
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| 2007 Mar. 10 (report date) |
King George, VA | Observation
Justin K I strongly believe I saw a Cougar on my family's farm in King George, VA back in November '06 at approximately 5:30 am on opening day of deer season. I was pulling into the farm when I spotted several deer that all seemed spooked and I didn't think it was because of me. I proceeded to park my truck and gather my gear so I could go get on my stand. On the walk down to the pasture I shined my powerful flashlight over at an old barn because I detected movement and eye reflection. There was a huge cat approximately 4' in length with a tail that seemed at least 6' long. The strong light caused the cat to become disoriented for a second and it couldn't find an exit and ran towards me, broke towards the right, and then in the opposite direction. At this point I was a little spooked myself. I continued to walk through the pasture and heard noises that sounded like a metallic purr off to my left. I shined my light in the direction and saw a set of eyeballs that were about 2 feet off the ground. Those eyeballs continued to follow me until I got on my stand. I never saw or heard the cat once the sun came up. I'm about 80% sure that what I saw was a cougar but I never reported it until now.... I was tempted to shoot it, but I never really felt threatened. After reading and learning from your web site, I'm surely glad that I didn't shoot such an amazing and beautiful animal (if it was in fact a cougar)... |
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| 2007 Mar. 8 (report date) |
Kingsport, TN | Observation
Angela W I live in Kingsport, TN where my husband and I have both seen a panther/cougar, whatever you wish to call it, outside of our home. We live at the bottom of Bays Mtn. and there is a huge field to the right of us where deer constantly graze. Both times that we have seen this animal (it has been very close with a very short amount of space between us), it has been in the late fall (2005 & 2006) around 10 to 11 pm. It was a very magnificent looking animal and a very scary sight at the same time. Escaped pet/ wild/ whatever ...we did see this animal and are very aware/positive of what we have seen (we do know the difference between bobcats/dogs/wolves/coyotes etc.). The panther/cougar that we saw would have to be considered as full grown and possibly male because it was very large. It appeared to be solid black but it was night time. It's tail was almost as long as it's body length and it knew I had seen it because it looked at me and opened it's mouth - I saw it's teeth, but heard no sound. I was fascinated at seeing it but still had enough sense to be scared to death. My husband is a very no-nonsense type of man and he came inside very shaken up the night he saw it out. Whatever category it falls under, it was a very large cat...much, much larger than a bobcat and most definitely a full grown cat. It's existence has changed our patterns of walking when it is cool late at night in the summer. We are not sure if it is around here during those months but I have no desire to find out! |
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| 2007 Mar. 6 |
Northern NJ | Report
Jeff W 2 pumas sighted on land trust 35 miles from NY border, near Adirondacks in northwest NJ |
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| 2007 Mar. 1 (track print for comparison) |
Western Cougar Prints |
Photo of Cougar Track in Snow, Jeremy V (Cougar Quest Volunteer reporting from Oregon) I'm at my dad's in Portland. We've been going out to hot springs over the weekends. On one hike I saw a bunch of cougar tracks in the snow (see attached picture). We had split up to search for the hot spring, so I quickly turned around after seeing the tracks and hearing noises up ahead. They seemed extremely fresh and like it was a huge cat. | |
| 2007 Feb. 26 (report date) |
Wintergreen, VA | Report
Marilyn F Last year my husband and I were camping at Sherando Lake. We were talking to a resident (retired Norfolk police detective) who told us that he and his son had seen a cougar just outside Wintergreen Resort several years ago. |
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| 2007 Feb. 21 (report date) |
Shen. National Park, VA | Mountain
Lion Sighting Randy F (with brother Gary F) In July 2006 my brother and I hiked from the lower parking lot at the beginning of the White Oak Canyon Trail to Big Meadows. At a point a little past the halfway point of the White Oak Canyon Trail, past the steps and before you get to the last of the falls which is the one closest to the horse trail, we clearly saw a mountain lion. The time was between 9:00 and 9:30 in the morning. My brother told me to look to my right. He started fumbling with his camera. The mountain lion did not run off but ambled 10 or fifteen feet from us turned around and looked and then went a little further and did the same thing. Finally he was out of sight; we were tempted to follow but did not. My brother got one picture but the mountain lion was almost out of sight. On the Appalachian Trail between Skyland and Big Meadows we met a ranger and told him about the mountain lion. A week later my brother was called to discuss what he saw. |
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| 2007 Feb. 7 (report date) |
Prince Edward Co. / Charlotte Co. line, VA | Cougar
Sighting Anne P We own 60 acres of undeveloped land that boarders many more acres of timber land on two sides and is within a short distance of Briery Lake State Park; a creek runs through and this is where our sighting occurred. About 18 months ago (summer 2005), my children and I saw what I believed was a cougar on our rural property. I did not report it, as I did not believe cougar were found in that area and thought people would think I was crazy. My son, walking backward, yelled "What is that?" We turned to see the animal in mid-air, jumping across the path into thick woods. It was approximately 4 1/2 feet long from nose to base of tail and perhaps 2 feet tall. It's coloring was darker than a deer. There was a long tail. My daughter, seeing a book with a cougar picture that I was recently reading, said, "That's what we saw that time!" and was very insistent and excited. |
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| 2007 Feb. 3 |
White Hall, VA | Observation
Julie M I have some unusual scratch marks on some trees that I cannot identify. Although I haven't seen a cougar, or footprints or scat, it looks like a very large cat scratched those trees. My neighbor, also on Green Spring Road, said that there had been a mountain lion sighting in May or June 2006 in a meadow on Apple Pie Ridge road, a mile or so south of Green Spring Road. The lion was observed chasing a deer in the meadow, in very late afternoon. |
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| 2007 Jan. 26 (report date) |
Dinwiddie Co., VA | Cougar
Sighting Joyce I My brother and sister-in-law had an encounter several years ago on their way from Varina to Keysville, VA. They were driving along Rte. 460 through Dinwiddie Co. when they witnessed a very large cat with a long tail crossing the highway. They were both startled at what they saw and asked each other..."Did you see that?" My brother said, "That was a Mountain Lion!" My sister-in-law described the animal exactly as your web site does. Unfortunately, they were not able to get photos as the Cougar disappeared into the woods. In my opinion, a pack of coyotes is much more a threat than a cougar. Mountain lions, who are more solitary creatures, are less likely to pose a threat to humans and large animals, such as horses. Our authorities need to ... develop plans to cope with the wildlife that already exists here ... At least cougars are native in the east...coyotes are not. |
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| 2007 Jan. 17 (report date) |
Louisa, VA | Cougar
Sighting / Track Cast (photo sent with report) Scotty D. & Nephew Dates of Observation: June 15, 2005 observation c. 100 yards from farm house in meadow by South Anna River (cat 2 times larger than 65# husky / lab mix with long tail, ears erect, facing calves bawling in neighbor's field, c. 5PM); July 30, 2005 found tracks in "leak" of sandy loam, took cast of right front foot; Nov. 2006 neighbors saw the cougar, were concerned because have young children. Has heard of other sightings in Louisa and Goochland and near the North Anna Power Station. |
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| 2007 Jan. 6 |
Sterling, VA | Cougar
Sighting Jon H Am I crazy or was the long, lanky, low lying, tannish, 3-4 foot long (not including tail) animal that I saw crossing Acacia Lane in Sterling, VA last week a cougar? It was crossing about 75 feet in front of my car and my first thought was "what an odd looking deer", but the long down then upward curving tail told me otherwise. This is one of the last undeveloped areas in the industrial section of Sterling that contains America Online and both sides of the street are wooded here. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: There were 2 other reports in Loudoun County in the fall of 2006; one where the sheriff posted a warning sign, the other a passing observation. This report is well within a cougar's territory if it is the same animal.] |
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| 2006 Dec. 10 |
near North Mountain, VA | Casual
Mention in Note to a Friend Diane K "A few weeks ago we heard the loud chilly growl of a mountain lion here on the ridge. The world is a strange and wonderous place." |
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| 2006 Nov. 25 (report date) |
Upper Marlboro, MD | Observation
Lorraine P My mother, daughter and I saw one of these cats about 4 years ago crossing the road in the Clinton and Upper Marlboro area, but very close to Andrews Air Force Base. This was before all of the area home building. I really believe the authorities do not want to admit that these animals are around because they may be forced to stop the area home building that is destroying the wild life habitat. If you talk to many of the older hunters in the area they too have seen these big cats. They are no one's pet. |
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| 2006 Jun. 21 |
north end Big Creek State Park, IA | Cougar
Sighting / Recording Jeanette D. .wav files recording her Golden Lab and animal thought may be cougar since many in area had seen a cougar and several dogs were severely injured (one killed) by a "probable" cougar; the animal on the recording was identified as a fox by Iowa DNR [CQ-VA experts also identified the sound as fox (or possibly raccoon) not cougar]. However, the actual observation by this reporter and 6 others in a 4-mile radius is definitely consistent with cougar. Jeanette & husband saw the cougar come out of the forest into their yard light early in the morning of June 21 and briefly stand behind their Lab. "It was yellow in color, tail long as body and fluffy, cat face ... it was about 3" taller than our Lab and 6"-12" longer than our dog". A neighbor saw 5" tracks left in a muddy corn field after their dog was killed. The Iowa DNR is skeptical, but, according to Jeanette, did meet with the residents, assigned additional law enforcement & DNR personnel to the area, and have arranged for a tracker with dogs to follow up on any further sightings / dog kills. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: We hope to hear back and will follow up on this report.] |
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| 2006 Jun. 17 |
I-85 VA; near Nottoway River | Cougar Sighting
Tim A. Traveling south from Richmond VA to Durham NC, cougar crossed I-85 in front of car c. 15-20 miles north of South Hill near the Nottoway River. Originally from Keysville VA & never heard that cougars were in the area. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: Have requested more detail regarding this sighting.] |
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| 2006 Jun. 6 |
Bradford Co., PA | Cougar
(?) Photos Linda O. Sent several photos showing a domestic housecat walking along gravel drive with cut grass and small orchard and of canine tracks, later determined to be made by her Great Pyrenees dog. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: We're not impressed with obviously fake reports.] |
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| 2006 May 23 & Jun. 8 |
Winchester, VA | Cougar
Sightings as reported in The Winchester Star (May 24th & May 25th
issues) A woman walking in the early morning and a man walking at 4:45 PM on May 23rd 2006 saw and reported a cougar. The Winchester Star sent a reporter and photographer to the scene where Winchester Police Animal Control Officer, Garland Miller, was checking for evidence after the woman's report. A black bear was reported on the same morning in the same area in the Meadow Branch community. The black bear was considered as "confirmed sightings", the cougar as "unconfirmed sightings" - even though no evidence was found to indicate the presence of either. The reason: black bears do roam the area; cougars do not exist in Virginia. Cougar Quest - Virginia went to the area on May 25th and again on May 26th. We found possible cougar prints in very loose soil and in a rain-dissolved muddy patch; we found deer tracks, bird tracks, and small animal tracks (probably squirrel). The newly developed area is adjacent to woods, marsh, swamp, ponds, creek, and miles and miles of savannah grasslands with brush and tree hummocks. A railroad track crosses East through the savannah and the development before entering more highly developed areas; this railroad track leads from the mountains and pastures west of the city - a little used "highway" for migrating bears / cougars. Of concern: a daycare with 5 1/2' - 6' solid fence play yard where the cougar was seen - squeals of invisible young children sound like penned puppies or piglets, not humans, to a cougar, and the fence could be easily jumped over by a cougar; we contacted the director and suggested they post adult personnel outside the fence when the children are in the play yard. On June 8th 2006, residents of the Meadows Branch community once again saw and reported the cougar - there was no write up in The Winchester Star. We do not know "the end of the story". We highly commend Officer Miller for his response and follow up! |
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| 2006 May 17 |
Crozet, VA | Cougar
Sightings Judy L. "Crozet Gazette" June 2006 issue reported cougar observation the week of May 17th in Crozet. Judy reported that 2 other families in the neighborhood had also seen a cougar at different times during May. |
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| 2006 May 11 - June 1 (?) |
Gibbsboro, Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, NJ | Cougar
Sightings as reported in the Courier-Post & Philadelphia Inquirer (May
26(?), 2006 and June 1, 2006) Since May 11, 2006, nine people, including two police officers and a state environmental officer, have seen a large cat roaming in several areas on the Gloucester County, NJ, a rural, wooded South Jersey area near the Delaware River. Each eyewitness described the cougar as being 90-100 pounds with a thick tail longer than its body, large paws, and gray or light brown, depending on how the sun was hitting it. On May 11th, a man saw the cougar from about 50 yards away while in his vehicle - he said it was about 6' long from nose to tail. A farmer watched the cougar on May 20th from about 200 yards away as it walked along the edge of the woods in his cornfield then leaped into the woods. Two children saw the cougar in a tree on the afternoon of May 25th - it leaped down and ran off; shortly thereafter, one of the police officers responding to the report saw the cougar as it crossed an access road at the DuPont plant 30 yards in front of his cruiser. The environmental officer found paw prints where the big cat entered the woods. The second police officers saw the cougar chase a small herd of deer. Four teenagers saw the cougar May 28th after 10 PM near a Little League ballfield. The cougar was also seen near a daycare center where the director decided to keep the children inside and the windows closed and locked until proof that the cougar was captured or no longer in the area. A NJ Tracker reported that he had tracked a cougar in the county two years ago (2004) and the current tracks are belong to a much bigger cougar, probably well over 100 pounds, that could be the same animal. Additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to patrol. NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife personnel set up trip cameras and determined that the sightings "did not indicate a danger to the public". A police officer stated that if caught, the cougar would be DNA-tested; if wild, it would be released in a western state; if a former pet, it would probably be destroyed. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: It makes no difference to most federal and state officials whether the cougar has been living on its own, surviving in the wild for X number of years: if DNA tests show any contamination by South American pumas, it will automatically "prove" that the cougar is a released pet, probably obtained through the (illegal) exotic pet trade; if DNA tests show only North American puma / cougar / mountain lion cellular structures, it will probably be considered "wild"; if DNA tests show Florida Panther traits, it would be considered "wild" and "endangered" and be returned to the Florida Everglades.] |
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| 2006 Apr. 26 |
Alexandria, VA | Cougar
Sighting Jennifer M. (and neighbor Randy H.) My neighbor and I both saw a cougar in the woods behind my house. It's body was about as big as my neighbor's 2-year old German Shephard; it's tail was about as long as the body and had a curve in it and light rings around it, so I think it was a young cougar. It was quite simply orange in color - very beautiful color. It was standing on a tree trunk that had fallen over and is about 6' off the ground. It was just checking things out. It did see us and didn't do much until my dog barked. Then it just went deeper into the woods. I am concerned that it was an exotic pet someone dumped when it got too big. The woods are very small and are surrounded by highways. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: Interestingly, the next day, two adult cougars (one described as tan, the other as black) were sighted at Andrews Air Force Base across the river from her location and reported in Washington news papers and television.] |
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| 2006 Apr. 12 |
Charlottesville, VA | Cougar
Sight & Cries Tara & Mark I. (report submitted by Mark I.) 5:00 AM: from house porch observed tawny brown animal with dark spots, approximately 2' at shoulder with 3' body and 3' tail in residential backyard near woodland. "We woke up to the sound of the animal and thought it was our baby - it sounded like a baby in serious trouble. When we realized it wasn’t our baby, we went onto our porch to see if one of our neighbors was in trouble. When my wife saw the animal, it froze for a couple of seconds and took off running back into the woods. The cougar seemed very young and it may have been calling out to its mother. It was also initially crawling with its body close to the ground while it was calling out." |
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| 2006 Apr. Report: 2001 & 2003 |
Monterey, VA | Mountain
Lion - 3 Sightings Sharon H. 2001: had daycare, mountain woods / field; #1 - mowing after kids left, neighbor (Mr. R) came by to say he'd shout at a black panther he'd seen at about 3:00 PM and not to mow after dark. That night about midnight, I heard a horrendous scream outside the kitchen window that sent chills up and down my spine; I dropped and broke a platter I was washing. #2 - several weeks later, one 5-year old boy was still playing in the back yard waiting to be picked up; I was in the kitchen washing dishes. T., standing on the picnic table, called "Come Now, Come Quick" his face red with excitement and pointed across from the barn near the woods yelling "Lion, Lion"! I ran out and got him inside quick. We watched from the kitchen door as the mountain lion limped from the barn area through the lot in a half circle and went slowly back into the woods, seeming to focus on its feet. It was very large (about 2' from the ground to its belly) with a long tail about the same size as its long body, a dark brown between yellow, tan, and grey in color. It looked just like a lion without a mane. It looked older, not young. The Deputy Sheriff, my neighbor (Mr. R), and T's father went after it with their guns, but found nothing. 2003: #3 - After realizing I was in the middle of big animal territory (coyotes, bobcat, & black bear seen frequently), I closed the daycare and moved to town. One late evening, sitting on the porch with my friend Rosie, we heard a puma scream up toward the cemetery in the woods that joined the woods of my previous property. It was quiet. Then, we heard it scream again from across town. |
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| 2006 Mar. 18 |
Madison, VA | Cougar
Observation Marie & James McD Today, at about 4 PM, my husband and I went out on our back deck and about 50 yards away slowly walking along the tree line was a cougar. We have many deer in this wooded residential neighborhood; the group had passed through about 1 hour before we saw the cougar. Others in this neighborhood have said that they had seen these beautiful animals, but this was our first sighting. The cat was about 3 feet from shoulder to rump - it was much larger than the many bobcats I've seen growing up in Maine and had a slower gate. It was walking side to me but didn't seem in too much of a hurry. Its head was turned away but I could clearly see the rest of the body and tail which was approx 3' long and turned up at the end - tan / tawny color. |
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| 2006 Feb. 8 |
Jefferson National Forest, Wise County, VA | Panther
Sighting Buster W. (& friend) At approximately 12:00 noon (2-8-2006) a Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamation Inspector and I were traveling east on Forest Service Road #700 in Jefferson National Forest, Clinch Ranger District (Wise County, Virginia). We saw what appeared to be a large dark colored cat cross the road 40 yards in front of my vehicle. It had a long slightly upturned tail and round head. It appeared to be 3' from rear end to snout not including the tail; which appeared to be almost as long. It jumped the berm to the center of the road and then jumped to the road-cut bank. Very athletic. We stopped at the point that it left the road. We could see where it hit the bank and the top of the road-cut but could not make out any tracks. We looked into the timber and listened for movement for about 10 minutes but did not see it again. I am a geologist and outdoorsman and spend a lot of time in the woods, but I have never seen anything like this. It was much bigger than a bob cat and it had a long tail. I have heard accounts of Cougar (Mountain Lion) sightings on Black Mountain and Pine Mountain (VA.- KY. state line) from people I believe, but I always thought that a "black panther" was a mythical folk tale. |
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| 2006 Feb. 1 |
Skyline Drive, VA | Cougar
Sighting & Photos Patrick B. (& Ed L.) Attach are a couple of pictures I was able to take on 2/01/06 while traveling south on Skyline drive in the area between Simmons Gap and Loft Mountain. I don’t have the exact mileage marker as I never thought to mark an exact location (sorry). It was approx. 3:00 pm in the afternoon. A co-worker, Ed L., and I were taking the scenic way back to Highway 64 from a business meeting in Elkton on our way back to Williamsburg. We were enjoying the scenery and I already had my camera out to take pictures. As we came around a slight bend, we saw this cat walking diagonally across the road 40 yards or so in front of us. We pulled up to where the cat had crossed and I had enough time to take these two pictures. I don’t believe they are conclusive but I thought I would pass them on. I have lived most of my life in the country in upstate NY and have spent a lot of time in the woods as an outdoorsman and hunter. I have seen a Bobcat five or six times and this cat we saw was at least 2 to 2 ½ times the size of any Bobcat I have ever seen, it looked much more muscular and longer. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: The photos show what appears to be a cougar from body & head / ears clarity; however, the tail is hidden behind a tree, so the cat can not be "confirmed" as cougar by our experts.] |
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| 2005
/ 2006 Fall / Winter |
Summit, VA | Cougar
Track & Neighbor Reports Doug B. Before seeing the tracks in the snow, I hadn't seen evidence of the cougars reported by my neighbors. The tracks were the same as those I've seen while hunting in the west - definitely cougar. One neighbor had talked about the screams heard several nights in a row, another about 2 cougars watching and pacing on a ridge above her house as she mowed the lawn, and another about 2 cougars seen as she was working in the yard. We all agree, they come and go; but cougars were here in our woods this past year. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: We learned about these cougars in June 2006 and went on a quest through the mixed deciduous / evergreen woods, ravines, and knobs. No cougar evidence, but plenty of animal sign: fox, bobcat, skunk, squirrel, deer. We plan to return as soon as we hear that the cougar(s) are back.] |
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| 2005 Dec. |
Parker Mtn. (5 mi from SNP), VA | Mountain
Lion (Panther) Sighting Janice S-F (& husband) AM - snow on ground - both saw a large panther running up the mountain ridge in and out of trees and over rocks / boulders from the ravine beside their farm house; house "butts up against the ridge"; neighbor's dog barking and running after it; neighbor later reported that her dog had come back with a wounded eye. Husband took photos: very long and thick black tail and black body obscured by tree trunk. Large tracks found next morning near car parked at end of drive that "my husband could put his fist in". When reported to SNP personnel, was told it was probably a pet. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: Unfortunately, the photos were too distant for us to positively identify; this reporter has excellent observation skills and once saw a cougar cross the SNP trail in front of her.] |
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| 2005 Dec. 19 |
Warm Springs, VA | Mountain
Lion Cross-Breed? Lindy W. On September 20, 2005, about 3:00 PM, I saw a large cat slowly cross 220 North, approx. 1 mile north of the 39/220 intersection in Warm Springs. It never looked at me and went down the embankment into the woods. It was the size of a small lab and very muscular, very fit. It was completely DARK grey and had a bobbed tail. It looked like a mountain lion, but the tail threw me. I have seen bobcats before as well as coyotes; this was neither. Bobcats have tufted ears; this large cat did not. On December 19th, 2005, I was driving up our driveway, exactly one mile from the last sighting, at 5:00 PO; snow was on the ground and the same cat slowly crossed my drive. His feet were massive! It did not acknowledge me this time either and went into the wooded thicket. We have a lot of deer on our property and they were out the next morning; haven't seen any signs of anything being killed on our property, most of which is open land. None of my neighbors have seen this cat. When I called the game warden to report the incident, he had no idea what I had seen. This cat looked like something that would be in a zoo. |
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| 2005 Dec. 17 |
Christiansburg, VA | Cougar
Sighting Margaret P. Around noon just off exit 118C, I-81 she and a friend saw a cougar on a hillside across a highway from the Denny’s Restaurant. The cougar was walking broadside across the hillside with a cub bouncing around her (presumably female because of cub). The sighting lasted a few minutes. They had seen cougars in a zoo and compared the size as similar with a dark tawny color and long tail. Not being from the area, she asked a local if there were mountain lions around there; he said that there were in a disinterested manner as if they were fairly common. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: Follow up by CQ-VA Honorary Director Don Linzey, 30+ year cougar researcher, could not confirm or deny this observation.] |
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| 2005
Initial Report: 2001-2006 |
Lawrenceburg, TN (Map) (not exactly our area of study, but too good to pass up) |
Cougar
Sightings / Sounds David B. 2001: heard bloodcurdling, hair raising scream about 9:00 PM approx. 300 ft. from house "like a woman being murdered on loud speakers" (2 min.) "then like a small child laughing". 2003: son & friend saw two cougars in the big field next to house - lots of tracks. 2003 / 2004: listening to police scanner, heard report of screams in nearby David Crockett Park; Park Ranger followed "large cat" up Shoal Creek Trail. March 26, 2005: dozens of tracks on 4-wheeler trail in the field next to house (deer tracks interspersed) - photos. May 8, 2005: neighbor, Beverly P, almost hit cougar with car about a mile from his house; it ran into a field. Yellowish tan, as high as the front of her car, long tail, cat at least as long as her car was wide. May 25, 2005, 5:15PM: walking in above field, saw head pop up above waist high sage grass then disappear; got binoculars & watched as cougar got closer, popping head above grass periodically and looking at David; it's ears flattened as it got closer; "I'll never forget that face and the fear I felt!!!"; at less then 600 feet, cougar stood staring at him for at least 20 seconds. Cougar stopped in tall grass, David was in 1 1/2' high grass; he hurried home, looking over his shoulder but cougar did not pursue. From height of grass and size of head & shoulders, David assumes the cat was over 150#. Color tan / reddish brown with white under chin & inside of ears. Summer - Fall 2005: found large cat tracks & smaller cat tracks (like mother with cub), "scrape marks wider than I can spread my fingers" showing 4 claw marks with scratch marks at least 2 - 2 1/2 feet long, and carcass remains (deer, coyote, armadillo) found in same cleared place in field; "lots of scat, strong smell of cat urine". Winter-Spring 2006: more evidence; game camera set up; CQ-VA submitted scat specimen to labs for DNA tests. More: Over 20 people in 3-5 mile radius have reported cougar sounds and sightings to David. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: We are waiting for scat DNA tests to confirm this observation.] |
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| 2005 Late Fall |
Clarke / Loudoun County, VA | Mountain
Lion Sighting Pete D. I was working on the mountain property southwest of Berryville and had a man using a weedeater. He looked up about the same time I did. The mountain lion was very close to my helper who turned white as a sheet and held up the weedeater as if to defend himself. The mountain lion jumped from rock to rock up the hill, seemingly right over my head. It was a beautiful big adult mountain lion, very big with a long, long tail. |
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2005 |
Bath County, VA |
Sighting Greg D. [confirmed bobcat] While hunting in a ground blind in the George Washington National Forest, he saw what he thought may have been a cougar walk by him. It went down the mountain and when it returned later he was able to get photographs. From the photographs we were able to determine it was a bobcat. Even though it turned out not to be a cougar, he was able to get good photographs of a cat rarely seen in daylight. |
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2005 |
Hillsboro, VA |
Cougar Sighting - Reported by Dan S. (homeowner) & Jerry K. eyewitness. A supervisor and crew that were laying fiber optic lines saw a cougar on his property. Eyewitness observer Jerry K. of Texas, with many years backcountry & animal tracking experience, confirmed sighting was made by himself & crew of 3 - "obviously nursing, female lion, approx. 6' including body-size tail, tawny / tannish-yellow, came out of brush at Dan's creek (200 yds. from his house) with something black in her mouth the size of a large chicken or barn cat, walked along the edge of the treeline, S into & across a large recently cut hayfield, then E up far treeline into woods" - "I was surprised to see a lion in Virginia, but was amazed to see a lion fearlessly crossing such a large field in the middle of the day." [CQ-VA Editorial Note: CQ-VA went to site 12/03/2005 after much rain washed out any tracks - no fresh tracks or other evidence - confirmation pending next observation.] |
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| 2005 Nov. |
McDowell, VA | Panther
Lele S. (reported by mother Patricia S.) We live close to the river on a large farm with a long driveway from the road to the house. Early in November 2005 at 5:15 PM, Lele stopped to open the gate to our driveway. When she stood up out of her car, she saw a black panther crouched 4' from her at the side of the driveway. It ran off across the street. It was about 20" high, 2 1/2' body (not including the head), had a 2'-3' long tail, and was about the size of a large Lab (between 50 and 70 pounds). From then to now, she won't get out of the car to open the gate after dark - she calls and we go down to let her in. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: "The Recorder" newspaper which serves Highland and Bath Counties published this story in their March 13, 2006 edition. From at least December 2005 through March 2006, "The Recorder" published attempts by residents of these counties to have the VDGIF and other wildlife personnel help take care of their concerns about wolves (wolfdogs / wolf hybrids?), coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife that was preying on human property and acting strangely. No cougars, no wolves in Virginia. But, a lot of reports and even frozen wolf "evidence". And, a lot of rabid animals - including a 32 pound bobcat that jumped into a pickup with its window rolled down and attacked 2 hunters.] |
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2005 |
Bath County, VA |
Cougar Sighting Paul W. (Off Rt. 627 Scotchtown Draft Rd.) Hiking on a trail to South Sister Knob in the George Washington National Forest. When rounded a turn, observed a cougar observe him and run into the woods. Very fresh feces was on trail along with strong cat urine smell. Feces / smell was observed by three other people. Will collect sample if it ever happens again. |
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2005 |
Edinburg, VA |
Cougar Sighting Emmett U. A friend of his spotted a cougar crossing his field in broad daylight. Similar sighting by neighbors mentioned at local bar-b-que. |
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2005 |
WV |
Scat - Craig C. [confirmed canine] While hiking in the Mononghela National Forest found what he believed to be either cougar or bobcat scat. He sent a picture of the scat which the experts all report to be canine - probably large dog. |
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2005 |
Patrick County, VA |
Cougar Sighting Rhonda B. At 3:45 PM looked out kitchen window and saw a tan cougar walking broadside across the backyard. Observation lasted about a minute at around 25 yards away. Notes it was at least twice as big as her 75 pound Labrador Retriever. |
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2005 |
Goochland County, VA |
Cougar Tracks Ben J. Noticed cougar tracks on a road site being constructed adjacent to a creek. Took photos of the tracks and casts. A close acquaintance who lives a mile away related seeing a large, long tawny cat with a three foot long tail on two separate occasions. [CQ-VA Editorial Note: Our experts have identified the track as feline: probably cougar (1), possibly cougar (2), definitely bobcat (1) | |
