Mountain lions, also known as pumas, cougars, or panthers, have been declared extinct in North Carolina by government officials. There have been several reported sightings of mountain lions in Chatham County, however, there is no evidence, pictures or tracks of these available.
May of the reported sightings have been in the southwestern area of Chatham County in towns such as Bonlee, Bear Creek and Goldston.
People in the mountains claim to have seen cougars as well, however, again, for some reason there are no pictures…
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission dispels many myths and points out some reported sightings are actually hoaxes in their article The Legendary Cat of the Mountains and the Swamps is Just That, a Legend.
Bobcats are striking, stealthy creatures that could be getting confused with a mountain lion. Mountain Lions can get very large. An adult mountain lion can weigh in at 150lbs and be 8 feet long.
In the video below, Eric Andrews discusses the sightings.
Please let us know if you’ve seen a mountain lion.
