Mountain Lion Sightings Reported in North Carolina Despite Said Extinction

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The cougar, also known as the mountain lion, once roamed widely across North Carolina, leaving behind a legacy in the form of place names like Panther Creek and Painter Gap, which reflect the region’s history with this majestic predator.

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, cougars are members of the small cat family, though they are the largest within their genus and are among North America’s top predators.

They are known for their agility, speed, and stealth, hunting mainly by sight and smell.

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, despite their historical presence, cougars were extirpated from North Carolina by the late 1800s. Since then, there has been no substantiated evidence of wild cougars in the state.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) occasionally receives reports of cougar sightings or tracks, but investigations typically reveal these to be cases of mistaken identity.

Domestic cats, dogs, coyotes, and bobcats are often confused for cougars, especially when observed from a distance or in poor lighting.

Though wild cougars are no longer believed to inhabit North Carolina, there have been isolated incidents involving escaped or illegally released captive cougars, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

In one notable case from the 1980s, two cougars were found feeding at a dumpster in Tyrrell County; they were later identified as escaped pets.

Despite occasional reports and the animal’s storied past in the state, the cougar remains largely a figure of North Carolina’s history rather than its present wildlife.