Puma Concolor and Puma Concolor Coryi
The Eastern cougar, Puma concolor couguar has been declared extinct. All cougars in North America are the same species, Puma concolor, with the exception of Puma concolor coryi, which is the Fla Panther, the only recognized subspecies in North America
Cougars are reclaiming their eastern territories, could Alabama be next?
Many eastern states have confirmations of cougars reclaiming the old eastern territories that they occupied over one hundred years ago. Most states had wiped out the cougar by the late 1800's. However states like Alabama the cougar lasted until the middle 1900's. The last known cougar killed in Alabama was in St Clair County around 1948, another was shot in Tuscaloosa County in 1956. However, in 1961 a cougar track was confirmed in the Fred T Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary in Clarke County, and in the later 60's another was found. During the same era a Game and Fish Officer confirmed a den with cubs in north Baldwin County.There have been no confirmations that we are aware of since then.
Many people believe that there were small populations of the eastern cougar remained in some areas that were far off the beaten path from everyday traffic and human activity. In Fla the Everglades was one of these places that was not accessable to people for a long time. There the Fla Panther began a rebound and was rediscovered in the late 1960's. Since then the population has more than doubled. Now, more than half of the eastern states and Canada have confirmations. Populations of cougar in Texas have grown and expanded into eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ind, Michigan and others, With credible reports in many others. Two years ago a Fla Panther was killed just across the Alabama line near Westpoint Ga. DNA evidence confirmed it to be a Fla Panther. This young male had traveled over 650 miles as the crow flies north without being seen, until a hunter killed it. These young males have been known to travel many miles looking for new territories. Will Alabama be next? Now is the time to learn about this wonderful animal and learn to live with them, Please help protect this wonderful animal.
This site is an educational site dedicated to studying the role of cougars in the environment. we are especially interested in the expansion of cougar populations into their former habitats. If you have information on cougars in Alabama, Contact us.
Many people believe that there were small populations of the eastern cougar remained in some areas that were far off the beaten path from everyday traffic and human activity. In Fla the Everglades was one of these places that was not accessable to people for a long time. There the Fla Panther began a rebound and was rediscovered in the late 1960's. Since then the population has more than doubled. Now, more than half of the eastern states and Canada have confirmations. Populations of cougar in Texas have grown and expanded into eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ind, Michigan and others, With credible reports in many others. Two years ago a Fla Panther was killed just across the Alabama line near Westpoint Ga. DNA evidence confirmed it to be a Fla Panther. This young male had traveled over 650 miles as the crow flies north without being seen, until a hunter killed it. These young males have been known to travel many miles looking for new territories. Will Alabama be next? Now is the time to learn about this wonderful animal and learn to live with them, Please help protect this wonderful animal.
This site is an educational site dedicated to studying the role of cougars in the environment. we are especially interested in the expansion of cougar populations into their former habitats. If you have information on cougars in Alabama, Contact us.
