Resident Claims Mountain Lion Spotted in Middletown
A woman said she saw a mountain lion near the NEX store on Green Lane last week
A mountain lion in Middletown? Although the idea seems far-fetched, a recent report is not the first time a Rhode Island resident has claimed to see a large cat.
Middletown Police received a report from a woman who believes she saw a mountain lion near the NEX store on Green Lane last week. Middletown Animal Control Officer Joseph Nunes said there have not been any other sightings reported.
This spring there were multiple reports of a mountain lion in Matunuck.
State officials first took the position that refuted eyewitness accounts, but they later concluded that residents had indeed seen a mountain lion.
Initially, DEM officials stated they found no evidence of a mountain lion, attributing the deer carcass found to a coyote or bobcat. Officials later acknowledged the evidence provided was "convincing" there was a mountain lion in the area.
"I believe it was a big cat," wrote the investigating Environmental Police Officer (EPO) in the DEM Incident Report. "It is possible it was a mountain lion with four eyewitness[es]... giving statements to us describing a mountain lion more than a bobcat."
According to National Geographic, mountain lions like to prey on deer, though they also eat smaller animals such as coyotes, porcupines, and raccoons. They are solitary and shy animals, seldom seen by humans.
What do you think? Have you heard any stories of cat-like animals in Middletown?
Chris Carceller
12:18 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
You never know. People have been known to keep wild animals in their homes (like the lion who was kept in a NYC apartment until it killed the owner).....so maybe someone "lost" their big cat here in Middletown? Why else did we have an alligator in Portsmouth last year?
Nick Avery
3:13 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The alligators were supposed to keep the mountain lion population in check.
Jim L
5:21 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
since i have the swim with alligaters business in sissions Pond i I can assure you that while swimming with my gators you are safe from pumas's
Robert E
12:11 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Suddenly coyotes don't seem so bad
TAMORI
9:52 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom -- Aquidneck Island episode.
I'll stay in the safety of the helicopter while Jim wrestles the feisty mountain lion.
Jim L
1:14 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Excellent Tamori, from those of us who know of what you speak, got a good laff
Island Porkrunner
1:22 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
this must be what's been making enormous defecation in my front yard lately. >:O
melissa
9:50 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
I know what I saw people. It wasn't a bobcat. It was a mountain lion. I'm well aware of what they look like and three others saw it too.
Randy Osga
1:26 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
Hi Melissa,
I am involved in a research group in RI & Ct that is trying to document that there are Mt. Lions i New England. I would like to talk to you concerning your sighting.
Sincerely,
Randy Osga
401-952-7435
etc
10:08 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
i saw the same thing. I really don't understand why people find it hard to belive that such an animal could make its way here. These aren't the first sightings of mountain lions around here within a few years either. People laughed when coyotes were reported, and fisher cats....not anymore, right? Maybe this is worth looking into, or maybe people will pay attention when it's their pet that goes "missing".
melissa
9:56 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
And no I wasn't drinking. And why yes, I am a former animal control officer with wildlife training.
etc
10:05 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
I have been saying for months that I saw the same thing...not a house cat, not a fox, not a fisher cat or bob cat or coyote. What I saw in Middletown off of aquidnick ave was BIG and had a long firm tail and was way bigger and longer than large dogs. It was very clear. One was photographed right in CT the other day.