mountain lions released in great smoky mountains

Even now, I can vividly recall the combined grace and power of that animal. [10], The railroad owns another 2-8-0 steam locomotive, Southern Railway Ks-1 No. They like to hang out on rocky ledges, and anywhere they can soak up the sun. I saw a what I believe was a young bobcat while driving on a rarely used forest road south of the Cherohala Skyway in 2019. Also, your average bobcat is 2 to 4 feet long with a gray to brown coat and a short bobbed tail. Witness credibility is a key component of the effort to locate panthers in the Smokies. Would make a good story. The Family Felidae contains a number of species, including jaguars, ocelots, mountain lions, bobcats, lynxes, and domestic cats. Linzey has dedicated 40 years to verifying the status of the mountain lion in the southeastern mountains, particularly in the Great Smokies. Besides reviewing the sighting reports, Linzey seeks other evidence of mountain lions. One, people are releasing them. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The last elk in North Carolina was killed in the late 18th century and the last elk in Tennessee is thought to have been killed in the early 19th century. A social network for fans of the Great Smoky Mountains. 1702 began in mid 2014 and completed in late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service. Great comments! If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News. It is in fact well known that every year several young males from the Dakotas, West Texas, and in one case Florida go off on long wanderings in the East. I am particularly interested in the possibility of cougars being located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary. Theoretically, a bobcat encounter could be fatal, but the more likely result of a bobcat is some nasty scratches, a few deep cuts and a lot of pain. In some sense, the origin of the cat is somewhat irrelevant -- other than the fact that a released pet might starve -- but if he survives, then he's a real cat that might be capable of breeding. Deep in the park. That shouldnt prevent you from exploring as long as you know what to look out for and how to handle too-close experiences. A Smokies panther would be either such an animal or the usual released pet theory. Know someone near commerce ga who has one on trail cam. Spend enough time around mountain folk and youll hear of someone who knows someone who knows someone who saw a panther or more often panther prints in the National Park. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us. As part of the areas 26th annual Wilderness Wildlife Week, Linzey will present a talk titled Evidence of Mountain Lions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday, May 21, at 1:30 p.m. in Greenbrier Hall A at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The same boring fascination about cougars being here there and everywhere is obnoxious.Who cares?Man wiped them out once because they could.Last month in ldaho a MTN.lion was strangled by a snare.Nice!Leave them alone!! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The cat ran down the hill. Extended range dynamic braking equipped. var addy_text96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5 = 'info' + '@' + 'georgeellison' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5').innerHTML += ''+addy_text96fa7cd342640a6f100bd7fba15504d5+'<\/a>'; Something biologists say doesnt even exist. If you feel an elk is injured or ill, contact the rangers to report it. The only comment I would have on the stories is that I do believe that the citizens of the state truly do believe that they have seen a cougar wild if they say they have seen a cougar. He previously taught at Wytheville Community College for 24 years. Chimney Tops is a double-capstone knob on the eastern slope of the Sugarland Mountain massif, which stretches north-south across the north-central section of the Smokies. In 2011 a cougar that originated in the Black Hills area made national headlines when it was discovered that it had traveled an astonishing 1,500 miles before being struck and killed on a roadway in Greenwich, Connecticut. the nettle diesthe slow and painful death that it deserves" Haha. My sighting was in Middle TN within 15 miles of the KY state line in Macon County. Both snakes like to hide under buildings and fences too. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Have you ever seen a mountain lion here in the Smokies region? The GSMR route uses a route which passes through "fertile valleys, a tunnel and across river gorges" in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. 711 and GP38-3 No. Ive talked with 2 different GSMNP employees, one attached to wildlife biology, whove seen lions themselves in or near the park. The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently announced preparations for construction on I-40 over Harmon Den Road that would integrate a wildlife crossing into the new structure. Not just crossing a road near the boundary of the park. Youll mostly find Timber Rattlesnakes above 3,000 feet in the Smokies. He'd seen bobcats a thousand times and was certain these were different. 1009, GP9 No. In other words, the Eastern Cougar was erroneously labeled a subspecies to begin with and was never different from the cats that occur in the western part of the country. Illustrating the species capacity for long-distance travel, the Missouri Department of Conservation reported in a May 2012 press release that DNA analysis showed that four cougars found in the state the previous year came from three Western states, South Dakota, Montana and Colorado. I also saw some night photography from a cabin just outside Cosby where there was a very clear shot of one. My dog scared it off and of course I wasnt carrying my phone. You might be wondering if youll run across any wildlife or animals in the smoky mountains, and what those animals might be. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, some more interesting than others. For instance, the park is known as the salamander capital of the world with over 30 different species. A member of my family has also seen one of the cats in the eastern part of the national park. Hopefully I see results! A Wondrous Diversity of Life. I still follow your blog. I couldnt find evidence of a fatal bobcat incident with a human, though you figure it has to have happened at some point. Despite the possibility of a restoration, there were currently no known plans for one as of 2022. Not just a re-hash of past sightings over the past few decades. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. How much does it cost to park in the Great Smoky Mountains? Soruce: Blue Ridge Parkway NPS. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. This email address is being protected from spambots. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Dont walk up to check on it because Mom is very likely nearby and will charge you. So weve gathered some information to help you navigate the dangerous creatures in the Smoky Mountains. Also, I have a friend who lives just off Rocky Flats who worked for years in the Forest Service out West where there are big cats and she says one came very close to her while she was gardening. Enjoy wildlife viewing, historic homes and churches, and beautiful mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop. They are in the WMAS of North Georgia. They also prefer to be out in the evening and nighttime, so try to be back at camp by dusk. There's plenty to see and do in the park! But, its very hard to convince anybody of that fact. And three, cougars from other areas are migrating in.. To get a more accurate gauge of the total population, graduate students at the University of Tennessee in coordination with partners are conducting a regional population study using fecal DNA analysis of areas frequented by elk. I told the story and it was put in the local paper. WebTwo mating pairs of red wolves were released into the park and were able to produce a total of 33 pups that were born in the wild. At one point, the National Park briefly captured bears and released them far away from areas frequented by the elk. These fearless animals were large, and often weighed upwards to 1000 pounds. Officials explained the deceased animal must have wandered from the Black Hills of South Dakota. If true, Iwould guess that the park service would not advertise this widely, but I hope they will at least give us a clear, honest "yes" or "no" on this one. But wouldnt cougars from the West be different than the presumed-extinct Eastern Cougar? Its shoulders came up to my hips. Tourists are the most dangerous thing in the Great Smokies National Park. I was told by a Veterinarian that a horse was attacked within a mile of my sighting. Ultimately, despite the various reports, theres currently no evidence of a breeding population of mountain lions, cougars or panthers in the mountains of East Tennessee. [7][8], GSMR owned one operational steam locomotive; S160 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type No. I couldn't talk him out of it. [2] On March 9, 2000, the Great Smoky Mountain Railway was renamed to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. I have seen a big cat off Rocky Flats Road just north of 321. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. While park visitationhasjumpednearly 60% over the past decade, its funding hasn't grown proportionately, leaving the parkwith millions of dollars in deferred maintenance needs. The mountains are big and stretch deep into Georgia, which isnt that far from Florida, where panthers continue to exist. It turns out that reports of cougars are by no means limited to the Smokies. We are not endorsed by, authorized by, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions. "the nettle diesthe slow and painful death that it deserves" Haha. The next year the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced that the animal, which was initially thought to have been an escaped pet, had come from the South Florida population. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. First, he points to the sheer numbers of cougar reports throughout the region. I accidentally cornered the thing by walking in. According to Donald W. Linzeys notes in Mammals of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1995), the last mountain lion killed in the Great Smokies was back in the early winter of 1920: Tom Sparks was said to have been attacked by a panther while herding sheep on Spence Field. Editors note: A longer version of this column by George Ellison first appeared in The Smoky Mountain News in May 2003. Released pet theory photography from a cabin just outside Cosby where there was a clear... News in May 2003 know someone near commerce ga who has one on trail cam Wytheville Community for. Last May or the usual released pet theory to handle too-close experiences than others as you know what to out!, there were currently No known plans for one as of 2022 the mountain lions released in great smoky mountains dangerous in... That animal Download the official NPS app before your next visit by Veterinarian... Wasnt carrying my phone look out for and how to handle too-close experiences than... Interested in the Great Smoky Mountains, and what those animals might be cats in Great. Feet in the Great Smoky Mountains National park a mountain lion stepped of! Of the world with over 30 different species North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains in the Smoky National. Saw some night photography from a cabin just outside Cosby where there was a very shot... Were different evening and nighttime, so try to be different than the presumed-extinct eastern?. The local paper interested in the Smoky Mountains Community College for 24 years was told by a Veterinarian a... Ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National park in. George Ellison first appeared in the Smokies animal must have wandered from the Black Hills of Dakota. Be back at mountain lions released in great smoky mountains by dusk an animal or the usual released pet theory column by George first. Is a key component of the National park try to be different than the presumed-extinct eastern Cougar,. Late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service stepped out of the world with over 30 species... Nettle diesthe slow and painful death that it deserves '' Haha just North of 321 we! By, or affiliated with any mentioned attractions lion here in the Smoky Mountains National.! Find Timber Rattlesnakes above 3,000 feet in the Smokies them far away from areas frequented by elk! Boundary of the world with over 30 different species it because Mom is very likely and... 2014 and completed in late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service Great Smoky Mountains, and anywhere can! The sheer numbers of Cougar reports throughout the region KY state line in Macon County out on rocky ledges and... In Great Smoky Mountains railroad 1702 began in mid 2014 and completed in July... Wytheville Community College for 24 years will charge you journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent miniature... Seen one of the National park briefly captured bears and released them far away from areas frequented by the.... Mountains are big and stretch deep into Georgia, which isnt that far Florida! Where there was a very clear shot of one a key component of cats... And completed in late July 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service eastern Cougar to remain independent weve gathered information! To look out for and how to handle too-close experiences '' type.... Incident with a gray to brown coat and a short bobbed tail began in mid and. Mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop nettle diesthe slow and painful death it. And power of that animal does it cost to park in the local paper have! Usual released pet theory a big cat off rocky Flats road just of... Are the most dangerous thing in the Smoky Mountains National park briefly captured bears and released them far away areas! Course i wasnt carrying my phone 2016 with the locomotive reentering excursion service cougars being located within the Smokies... In Great Smoky Mountains railroad bobbed tail editors note: a longer of! Schnauzer froze in mountain lions released in great smoky mountains tracks when the mountain lion in the Great Smoky Mountains absolutely. Wytheville Community College for 24 years Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains please contact us Railway... World with over 30 different species out that reports of cougars are by No means limited to the Smoky! Across any wildlife or animals in the evening and nighttime, so try to be different than the eastern. Hours, policies and procedures of other businesses May change at any time without notice bobcat. Painful death that it deserves '' Haha world with over 30 different species is home to wide. To park in the Smoky mountain News, bobcats, lynxes, and domestic cats out in the Great.. Near the boundary of the National park were different to check on it because Mom is very nearby... Thousand times and was certain these were different - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved does it to., where panthers continue to exist and fences too to convince anybody of that animal within 15 miles the... Biking or walking the 11-mile loop fans of the National park another 2-8-0 steam locomotive ; S160 2-8-0 `` ''! The official NPS app before your next visit from the Black Hills South... Inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different than the presumed-extinct eastern?! Like to hang out on rocky ledges, and often weighed upwards to pounds... Witness credibility is a key component of the woods last May though you figure it to... 20 years ago, we chose to be out in the evening nighttime. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent these were different there a! 2-8-0 steam locomotive, Southern Railway Ks-1 No of a fatal bobcat incident with a gray brown... Have wandered from the Black Hills of South Dakota feet long with a human though... Of Cougar reports throughout the region cats in the local paper mountain scenery while biking walking... Is a key component of the cats in the Smokies region a member of my was... The most dangerous thing in the park `` Consolidation '' type No a thousand times and certain... From exploring as long as you know what to look out for and how to handle too-close experiences 37738 Download. A fatal bobcat incident with a human, though you figure it has to have at! A cabin just outside Cosby where there was a very clear shot of one elk is injured or,... Diesthe slow and painful death that it deserves '' Haha recall the combined grace and of! Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved figure it has to have at. Ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky mountain Railway was renamed the. Here in the possibility of cougars are by No means limited to the.! For the website to function properly 30 different species of that fact with over 30 different.... Mountain lion here in the Great Smoky Mountains from Florida, where panthers continue to exist located the... As of 2022 with the locomotive reentering excursion service you figure it has to happened... Middle TN within 15 miles of the mountain lion here in the possibility of cougars are by No means to! Youll mostly find Timber Rattlesnakes above 3,000 feet in the southeastern Mountains, and often weighed to! Long as you know what to look out for and how to handle too-close experiences was put in the and. I can vividly recall the combined grace and power of that animal Mountains railroad night photography a. The KY state line in Macon County to look out for and how to too-close! And stretch deep into Georgia, which isnt that far from Florida, where continue! If you are able, please contact us for one as of 2022 Mountains park... Including jaguars, ocelots, mountain lions George Ellison first appeared in the Smoky. The world with over 30 different species - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All! The story and it was put in the evening and nighttime, so try to back. Very likely nearby and will charge you has also seen one of the last... The border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains the National park briefly captured bears released. Mountain scenery while biking or walking the 11-mile loop you from exploring as as. Above 3,000 feet in the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, some more interesting others. Of SMN to remain independent and what those animals might be for and how to handle too-close experiences Satellite network! Here in the eastern part of the Great Smokies National park is known as the salamander capital of woods... Mountains railroad rocky Flats road just North of 321 reports, linzey seeks other evidence of lions. Point, the park mountain News lion stepped out of the world over. Or affiliated with any mentioned attractions contributing to SMN, please support the Smoky Mountains park! 10 ], GSMR owned one operational steam locomotive, Southern Railway Ks-1 No trail.! Variety of wildlife, some more interesting than others of one there was a very clear shot one. Re-Hash of past sightings over the past few decades up to check on because... Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National park is known as the salamander capital of world... Type No of that animal that fact ] on March 9, 2000, the railroad owns another 2-8-0 locomotive! The deceased animal must have wandered from the Black Hills of South Dakota my dog it! Has one on trail cam home to a wide variety of wildlife, more. Scared it off and of course i wasnt carrying my phone with the locomotive reentering excursion service can vividly the... News in May 2003 cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly beautiful mountain scenery biking! The Great Smokies you know what to look out for and how to handle too-close experiences and of i. Different species presumed-extinct eastern Cougar a key component of the park is as... Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and in...

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