Posted on 05/05/2009 3:33:14 PM PDT by Daffynition
OTTAWA — In Ontario, where cougars officially don’t exist, the Ministry of Natural Resources has set up 40 cameras on forest trails throughout the province to try to prove the big cats really live here.
The ministry has placed infrared and digital motion and heat-detecting cameras equipped with flashes on trails where cougars have been spotted or wildlife officials have found cougar tracks, droppings or fur.
Over the next year, the cameras will take still photographs during the day or night of any predator attracted to the smelly mixture of ground-up animal parts placed under the trees where the equipment is located. In Eastern Ontario, several cameras have been located in forests near Kemptville and Pembroke.
In recent years, people have reported seeing cougars near Carlsbad Springs in the rural east end of Ottawa and in Gatineau Park.
The Ontario Puma Foundation says the cougar, also known as the mountain lion, was hunted almost to extinction by the late 1800s. But it believes there are about 550 cougars in the province and that their numbers are increasing.
Rick Rosatte, a senior research biologist in charge of the ministry’s cougar project, said many sightings have proved to be lynx, fishers or even deer.
“We have had more than 500 apparent cougar sightings since 2002,” Rosatte said. “Through investigation we found that people are mistaking animals such as deer, dogs and coyotes for cougars.
“Upon investigation, we will sometimes find fisher tracks. People make these mistakes because the light is low or the animal is in cover. We are trying to find out what percentage of cougar sightings are misidentifications.”
In Oregon, which has about about 5,000 cougars, wildlife officials found that only seven per cent of sightings were correct.
Rosatte said the research project is designed to determine the distribution of cougars across Ontario and whether the animals are native to the province, are escaped captive animals or have arrived from western Canada or the United States. There have been about 380 apparent cougar sightings reported to the ministry between 1935 and 1982. The ministry believes 180 to 190 of the animals were probably cougars.
Researchers have collected 20 pieces of evidence of the elusive animals during the past three years, including droppings, fur and sightings by Ministry of Natural Resources employees.
“There have been a lot of probable sightings near Charleston Lake,” Rosatte said. “But we have no good evidence such as the photograph of a cougar in Eastern Ontario. I am not sure what the ministry would do if we got a picture of a cougar. I guess we would put it in our database as one more piece of evidence.”
Why the forest? Why not State & Rush in Chicago?
I thought this was a camera in a bar where divorced old bags chase young guys around.
Why don’t they do this for Bigfoot?
Trust me, there are cougars in Ontario, plenty of them.......dumba$$es
Because she sits in the front row of the white house press corp.
Heck, I was thinking the Congress of the U.S. with Cougar Pelosi (gross, I know).
Bring your camera out around Happy Hour.
This is laughable. (sorry)
We have at least five cougars living here in my forest. I hear them mating sometimes, and a month ago I swear I heard a cub being born.
What a bunch of wussies!
I heard they thought of use Ashton Kutcher as bait.
So this numbnuts set up FORTY cameras, and they don't have a clue what they will do.......if they photograph a cougar.....except ask for more tax-payer money to "study" this non-problem. How Orwellian.....
The are in ‘Wis Mn Mi. why wouldn’t some me in Ont.
Should this ‘study’ be successful, they can set up a study to find out “if a tree falls in a forest ..............”
Wouldn’t it had been less expensive to set out kitty litter boxes?
We have one in our town at night. It is killing cats. Maybe we could send it to Ontario is they want one.
Mountain Lion Sighted in Downtown Crestline (Update)
Breaking News: Officials Say Animal Is Killing Crestline Cats
By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Update—Tuesday 11:15 a.m.
Crestline, CA – The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station has released additional details about the mountain lion sightings in downtown Crestline.
A report of a mountain lion attacking a Crestline resident’s cat in the 600 block of Friendly Lane was received about 2:15 a.m. this morning. Upon arrival, the mountain lion fled into neighboring back yards.
Deputies conducted an area check for the mountain lion where it was last seen in front of a residence on Bowl Road heading south towards Crest Forest Drive.
Officers later confirmed that three domestic cats were killed by the mountain lion.
The California Department of Fish and Game was immediately notified about the incident.
Deputies remind residents that if they spot the mountain lion they are not authorized to shoot it. But they should immediately notify the Sheriff’s Department (911) or Fish and Game at (909) 484-0167.
Original Story
Crestline, CA - The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station reports there have been several mountain lion sightings in the downtown Crestline area.
Mountain Deputy posted on RIMOFTHEWORLD.net that “One of those sightings was early this morning by deputies. The mountain lion is a large male and has killed several cats in the area.”
Mountain Lion (Photo by California Department of Fish and Game.)
Deputies are urging residents in the area to keep their pets inside and to be cautious when walking in the area at night.
“We are working with the California Department of Fish and Game on this issue,” Mountain Deputy wrote.”
TIPS TO AVOID A MOUNTAIN LION
The California Department of Fish and Game urges residents to following a few simple tips to help reduce the chance of encountering a mountain lion:
DON’T FEED WILDLIFE: By feeding deer, raccoons or other wildlife in your yard, you may inadvertently attract mountain lions, which prey upon them.
DEER-PROOF LANDSCAPE: Avoid using plants that deer prefer to eat; if landscaping attracts deer, mountain lions may be close by. The California Department of Fish and Game has a brochure entitled “Gardening To Discourage Deer Damage” available at most DFG offices.
LANDSCAPE FOR SAFETY: Remove dense and/or low-lying vegetation that would provide good hiding places for mountain lions, especially around children’s play areas; make it difficult for mountain lions to approach a yard unseen.
INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING: Keep the house perimeter well lit at night – especially along walkways – to keep any approaching mountain lions visible.
KEEP PETS SECURE: Roaming pets are easy prey for hungry mountain lions. Either bring pets inside or keep them in a kennel with a secure top. Don’t feed pets outside; this can attract raccoons and other mountain lion prey.
KEEP LIVESTOCK SECURE: Where practical, place livestock in enclosed sheds and barns at night, and be sure to secure all outbuildings.
KEEP CHILDREN SAFE: Keep a close watch on children whenever they play outdoors. Make sure children are inside before dusk and not outside before dawn. Talk with children about mountain lions and teach them what to do if they encounter one.
MOUNTAIN LION ENCOUNTER
Fish and Game also suggests the following tips should you encounter a mountain lion:
DO NOT HIKE ALONE: Go in groups, with adults supervising children.
KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU: Observations of captured wild mountain lions reveal that the animals seem especially drawn to children. Keep children within your sight at all times.
DO NOT APPROACH A LION: Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
DO NOT RUN FROM A LION: Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal. Make eye contact. If there are small children there, pick them up if possible so they don’t panic and run. Although it may be awkward, pick them up without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.
DO NOT CROUCH DOWN OR BEND OVER: In Nepal, a researcher studying tigers and leopards watched the big cats kill cattle and domestic water buffalo while ignoring humans standing nearby. He surmised that a human standing up is just not the right shape for a cat’s prey. On the other hand, a person squatting or bending over looks a lot like a four-legged prey animal. When in mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching or bending over, even when picking up children.
APPEAR LARGER: Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Again, pick up small children. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.
FIGHT BACK IF ATTACKED: Many potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.
For more information, visit the DFG mountain lion Web Site at Mountain Lion.
Click here to discuss this news article.
This article was first published on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 10:03 am. This article has been viewed 481 times.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.
We have a 'mystery' cat in South Mississippi and South Alabama. There have been a number of sightings. The official word from wildlife officials. "We don't want to know!"
Best guess is it a Jaguarundi.
Because they aren't looking for packs of drunken cougars.
Wow! What a beautiful critter!
Wow - I thought I knew all the big kitties. That’s a new one for me - thanks!
Is this the same guy who buzzed New York to take pictures of Airforce One?
One hell of a picture and bigger surprise for that deer.
You suck!
It maybe the same one I always see, but at the large park (River Legacy Park) near me we have a bobcat that has no problem coming out onto the paved trail for stroll. I think there must be more then the one, but I only see one at any given time.
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