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    Mountain Lion Sightings Annually Reported in Pennsylvania Despite Extinction

    1 day ago
    User-posted content

    ALTOONA, PA - The question of whether mountain lions roam Pennsylvania's wilds is one that ignites curiosity and debate among residents.

    Known by various names such as cougar, puma, and catamount, the mountain lion is a creature steeped in mystery and speculation.

    According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the history of lions in Pennsylvania dates back to before European settlement, when Indigenous peoples, including the Lenape, coexisted with these majestic animals, referring to them as Kwèn’shùkwënay.

    Early European explorers and settlers often described encounters with mountain lions in their journals, highlighting the animal's once-prevalent presence in the region.

    According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as settlers pushed into Pennsylvania's wilderness, they hunted these predators, viewing them as threats to livestock and agricultural development. By the 1870s, mountain lions were largely eradicated from the state.

    Despite their supposed extinction, stories of mountain lions persist. Residents occasionally encounter these big cats in captivity, as they have been bred in zoos and private collections.

    Escapes, like the incident in 1960 when two lions broke free from Nay Aug Park in Scranton, add to the intrigue.

    In 2011, a mountain lion spotted in Connecticut, later identified as a wild cat from South Dakota, demonstrated the species' incredible dispersal capabilities, traveling over 1,500 miles across the country, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

    Each year, Pennsylvania receives hundreds of mountain lion sighting reports, though most remain unconfirmed.

    These sightings, often shared through photos, videos, or tracks, spark both fascination and fear, leading to neighborhood alerts and precautions.

    The elusive nature of mountain lions continues to captivate the public, maintaining their place in Pennsylvania's folklore and natural history.


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