Syracuse.com - Seen a cougar lately in the Adirondacks? Contact this group (and the DEC)

[HuntingNY-News]

According to the DEC, "To date, no hard evidence has been produced that would prove the existence of cougars living and reproducing in the wild in New York."

A cougar (mountain lion) at Burnett Park Zoo in Syracuse.Mike Kelly photo 

Protect the Adirondacks, a private non-profit group, has launched a new cougar watch project focusing in, and around the Adirondack Park.

The purpose of Cougar Watch is two-fold,according a news release from the group:

"First, there continue to be regular reports of cougars across the Adirondacks. The noted Adirondack Atlas features a map of cougar sightings," according to the group. " Protect will manage a database about all reports made available to us. We will investigate sightings based on what information is available, such as pictures/video of the cougar, pictures of tracks, scat samples, among other evidence.

"Second, if there is a cluster of reports in a specific geographic area, Protect will work with cougar experts to try and assess the presence of cougars."

Cougars, which are also called mountain lions or pumas, are extinct in this state, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. According to the DEC website: The Eastern cougar, or mountain lion, is listed as an endangered species in New York. This animal was historically present in the state, but has been absent since the late 1800s.

"There are a few kept in captivity under a special permit, and likely illegally as well. In at least two cases in past years, captive cougars did make it to the wild. Neither cougar survived for long. Officially, cougars are considered extirpated from the state; however, sightings of animals believed to be cougars are commonly reported to DEC wildlife offices.

"To date, no hard evidence has been produced that would prove the existence of cougars living and reproducing in the wild in New York."

The DEC website adds: "Wildlife staff will only investigate reports where physical evidence is likely or known to exist, or when a captive animal has been reported to have escaped."

The Protect group, though, is adamant that wild cougars are in this state.

Chuck Clusen, chair of Protect the Adirondacks added, "There are regular reports of cougars throughout the Adirondacks, but there has not been a central public repository to record these sightings. Protect will work to organize and map these reports.

"Anybody who has recently seen a cougar in or around the Adirondack Park is encouraged to make a report."

Protect asks that people have as much information as possible when making a report, including the date, time and location, full contact information as well as any other information such as paw prints, print measurements, hair or scat samples.

For more about the group, see its website.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog