Mountain Lion Sightings Annually Reported in Maryland Despite Extinction

Photo byRobert ThiemannonUnsplash

CUMBERLAND, MD - Mountain lions, also known as cougars, were declared extinct in Maryland by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011.

This declaration came after extensive research indicated that the eastern cougar, a subspecies once common in the region, had disappeared by the 1930s due to habitat loss, overhunting, and predator eradication campaigns, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Despite this, sightings of mountain lions continue to be reported across Maryland.

These sightings are often met with skepticism by wildlife experts, who note that there is no credible physical evidence to confirm the presence of a breeding population of mountain lions in the state.

Reports of mountain lion sightings are typically based on fleeting glimpses or distant observations, making it difficult to verify the identity of the animal in question.

Most of these sightings are believed to be cases of mistaken identity, where large dogs, bobcats, or even deer are misidentified as mountain lions, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In rare cases, mountain lions seen in Maryland may be released or escaped captive animals rather than members of a wild population.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) takes all reports seriously and investigates when possible, but the lack of tangible evidence has led to the official stance that mountain lions no longer inhabit the state.

Nevertheless, the persistence of these sightings keeps the mystery of the mountain lion alive in Maryland's folklore.