Mountain Lion Sightings Reported in Vermont Despite Said Extinction

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SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT - Despite being officially extinct in Vermont for over a century, mountain lions continue to stir local intrigue with occasional reported sightings.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, historical records indicate that the last confirmed mountain lion in the state was killed in the early 1880s. Since then, the species has been considered extinct in Vermont due to habitat loss and overhunting.

However, recent years have seen a rise in reported mountain lion sightings, particularly in the more remote areas of the state.

Wildlife experts and state officials have consistently investigated these claims but have found no concrete evidence to confirm the presence of wild mountain lions in Vermont.

The reported sightings are often attributed to misidentifications of other wildlife, such as large bobcats or domestic animals, or to the occasional wandering individual from other states, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, while mountain lions have been known to travel long distances, the sightings reported in Vermont may be linked to transient individuals from populations in neighboring states like New York or New Hampshire.

They also encourage residents to report any sightings to help track and understand these claims better.