The presence of mountain lions in Pennsylvania is a topic of public interest, with many residents reporting sightings. This article examines the historical presence of these large predators, their current official status, and common explanations for reported encounters.
Historical Presence in Pennsylvania
Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, were once native to Pennsylvania. These large felids inhabited a vast range, including the eastern United States, and were frequently encountered by early European settlers and Indigenous peoples.
The expansion of human settlements in the 1700s and 1800s led to landscape changes. Perceived as a threat to livestock and people, mountain lions faced widespread hunting and extermination. This pressure, combined with habitat destruction, caused a drastic population decline. The last known wild eastern mountain lion in Pennsylvania was reportedly killed in Berks County in 1874. Experts agree native mountain lion populations were extirpated from Pennsylvania by the end of the 19th century.
Current Status and Official Position
Wildlife authorities, including the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), state there are no established, breeding mountain lion populations in Pennsylvania today. While reports and photos of large cats are periodically submitted, investigations generally conclude they are not wild mountain lions. The PGC states the majority of reported sightings are misidentifications.
On rare occasions, mountain lions have appeared in Pennsylvania over the past 75 years. These individuals, when confirmed, are typically identified as escaped exotic pets or animals released from captivity. A transient wild mountain lion could disperse from a distant, established population, as demonstrated by one that traveled from South Dakota to Connecticut in 2011. However, such occurrences are infrequent and do not indicate a sustained presence or breeding population. Despite anecdotal accounts, scientific evidence like confirmed tracks, scat, or clear photographic proof of a wild population remains absent.
Understanding Reported Sightings
Many reported mountain lion sightings in Pennsylvania are attributed to misidentification of other animals. Common animals mistaken for mountain lions include bobcats, large domestic cats, and coyotes. Factors like distance, poor lighting, and brief glimpses contribute to these errors.
Distinguishing features differentiate these animals from mountain lions. Bobcats are smaller, weighing 15 to 35 pounds and standing 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. They possess a distinctive short, “bobbed” tail, typically around five inches long. In contrast, mountain lions are much larger, weighing 90 to 160 pounds with a shoulder height of 24 to 35 inches, and feature a long, thick tail (30 to 36 inches) used for balance.
Bobcats usually have spotted or mottled coats, while mountain lions exhibit a uniform tawny or tan coloration. Large domestic cats, especially when seen from a distance, can also be mistaken for mountain lions due to similar body shape, despite size differences.