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Experts confirm sighting of “large feline” in Pennsylvania, deny possibility of mountain lion comeback
A resident in Pennsylvania recently captured a video of a “large feline” roaming around their backyard, stirring up rumors that mountain lions may be increasing in numbers in the state. However, experts are cautioning against jumping to this conclusion, citing lack of evidence and conflicting reports.
“Although we cannot confirm the species of the cat in the video, we can say that it is not a domestic cat or a bobcat,” said Sarah Greer, a wildlife biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. “It is likely a captive animal that escaped or was released by its owner.”
Greer explained that while it is technically legal to own and breed large cats such as cougars, jaguars, and leopards in Pennsylvania, the state requires owners to register and abide by strict regulations to prevent incidents of escape, injury, or death. Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines, imprisonment, and seizure of the animal.
“We do occasionally receive reports of exotic cats on the loose, but most of them turn out to be false or unverifiable,” said Greer. “Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are not native to Pennsylvania and have not been confirmed as breeding populations since the early 1900s.”
Some residents in Pennsylvania and other eastern states believe that mountain lions have been migrating eastward from western states or Canada, where populations have rebounded in recent decades. However, wildlife agencies have dismissed these claims as unlikely and unsupported by genetic or sign evidence.
“We have no evidence to suggest that there are any breeding populations of mountain lions in Pennsylvania or any other eastern state,” said Bob Washington, a carnivore biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Occasional sightings or roadkills do not indicate a sustainable population, let alone a resurgence.”
Still, some people remain convinced that mountain lions are living and thriving in the woods of Pennsylvania, despite the lack of concrete evidence or scientific consensus. They argue that the state should be more vigilant and proactive in monitoring and protecting these elusive predators, which some see as a symbol of wildness and freedom.
“I saw a big cat with my own eyes, and I know what a cougar looks like. This was no domestic cat or bobcat,” said John Smith, a resident who claims to have seen a mountain lion in his backyard last year. “I think the state is covering up the truth because they don’t want to admit that they don’t know what’s going on in our forests.”
Whether or not mountain lions are indeed back in Pennsylvania, one thing is for sure: the “large feline” captured on camera has sparked a debate and a curiosity among residents and experts alike. Perhaps more sightings or evidence will emerge in the future, or perhaps the mystery will remain unsolved. Either way, Pennsylvania remains a state of diverse wildlife and divergent opinions.
