Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, are large, solitary wild cats that once roamed widely across North America. Their current presence in North Carolina often sparks public interest. This article clarifies the scientific understanding of cougars in the state, covering their history, reported sightings, and public safety.
Current Status in North Carolina
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) states there is no substantiated evidence of a wild, breeding cougar population currently in the state. Biologists have not found proof of an established cougar presence, despite unconfirmed public sightings. However, individual cougars occasionally appear as transient animals. These may include dispersers from the Florida panther population (Puma concolor coryi) in southern Florida, or Western cougars that have traveled vast distances eastward. Such transient individuals are typically males seeking new territory, and their presence does not indicate a re-established breeding group.
Historical Presence and Decline
North Carolina was once home to the Eastern cougar subspecies (Puma concolor couguar). Historical records and place names attest to their former widespread distribution. These large predators played a role in the ecosystem, helping manage prey populations like white-tailed deer.
The Eastern cougar began disappearing from North Carolina in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Their decline resulted primarily from unregulated hunting, persecution to protect livestock, and significant habitat loss. The last likely valid sighting occurred in 1886 in Macon County. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern cougar extinct in 2011, removing it from the federal endangered species list.
Understanding Sightings and Evidence
Numerous reports of cougar sightings are received by wildlife agencies, yet most prove to be misidentifications. Animals commonly mistaken for cougars include bobcats, coyotes, large domestic dogs, and even domestic cats, especially when seen at a distance or in poor light. Red foxes with mange or black bears can also be confused with cougars. Reports of “black panthers” in North Carolina are disproven, as melanistic (black) cougars do not naturally occur in North America. Escaped captive cougars are another possibility for some sightings.
Credible evidence of a cougar’s presence typically involves clear photographs or video footage, or physical signs such as tracks and scat. Cougar tracks are distinct, lacking claw marks because cats retract their claws while walking, and showing an ‘M’-shaped heel pad with three lobes at the rear. An adult cougar’s front paw print measures approximately 3.5 inches wide. Verifiable evidence also includes DNA from hair or scat, or confirmed depredation events.
Reporting and Safety
If you believe you have seen a cougar in North Carolina, report the sighting to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Provide details including date, time, precise location, animal description, and any photographic or video evidence. This information helps biologists assess reports and track transient animals.
Encounters with cougars are rare in North Carolina, but general safety guidelines apply in areas where large wild cats might be present. Never approach the animal. If in a close encounter, appear as large as possible by raising your arms, make noise, and maintain eye contact. Avoid running, as this can trigger a chase response. Should an attack occur, fight back aggressively.