Big Cat in NJ

03/15/2010

My cousin sent me this news story about two sightings last week of a "large cat" in the town of Manalapan in Monmouth County, New Jersey (which is right near where I grew up).  One witness reported the cat chasing a deer across the road.  The other witness, who was an animal control officer, reported that the cat he saw in the woods near the first sighting had a long tail.  And it's not the first time a large, long-tailed cat has been reported in New Jersey.

Here's a photo of a track found near one of the sightings last week. 

I have some thoughts on what it could be but I'm interested to hear from you.  What do you think it is?  What do you think should be done when an odd animal makes an appearance, or a normal animal shows up in an odd place?

Photo by Manalapan Police.

Comments

[Amanda]

It's a Mountain Lion aka a Cougar. We have them in Northern Mi even though every says we dont I've seen them out in the Black Mountain area. I'd bet it was a Mountain Lion in N.J. too.

[Leah]

It could be a mountain lion, sightings of that cat have been reported in many places, even though it is said that it is not possible for a mountain lion to live in those areas. But life finds a way, right?

[Kaitlyn]

My Dad encountered a cougar in the Maine woods 30-40 years ago and was told he was crazy, "probably a lynx." Now the officials are finally acknowledging that we have cougars here. Most likely the NJ creature is a cougar also. Then again, a dead viper with huge fangs was just found in Maine, obviously an illegal pet. Makes me wonder: could this big cat be a tiger/lion/leopard/cheetah released by an unscupulous owner??

[Raymond Ho]

The track does look like a cougar track. There really isn't anything to be "afraid" of when normal animal shows up in odd places. The best thing to do is educating the public about these animals.

[marv]

Mountain lions are quite common in California, and even more common in the Rockies. No reason to be terrified of them. Sure, they might try to eat your dog, but they are equally likely to be treed by your dog. They are pretty shy, but also big enough to be dangerous for children or small adults (i.e. petite women) should they encounter one alone. Use caution, but no need to panic, or kill them.

[data recovery]

good to know about big cat

[Laser Hair Removal Side Effects]

I cant really tell from the paw print, but if I had to guess I would say it was a cougar.

[Brey@F50Soccer Shoes]

I can't guess from the picture also, but, I would suggest call in the wild animal and interior folks ASAP.

[Lauren calligy]

I dont know call me crazy but I swear I had seen a mountain lion and or cougar the other night,now I live in new jersey near a very busy route 22,it was large chasing deer and hissing has anyone else seen this thing, in green brook nj???

[Dolly]

I am wondering how big is the cat now?

[Sara - petmeds]

I live near New Jersey and have never seen any big cats, just house cats

[Cannabis Seeds]

That is a big paw print. Are sightings like this common in quite populated areas?

[Training]

This looks like a cougar to me as well.

[Gordon@Lower Back Pain]

When one take a look at that foot print, it makes one wonders what is the size of that cat? I guess it's pretty big.

[online lpn programs]

Judging by the size of that paw print - that thing is huge!

[single parenting advice]

I agree, that does look like a cougar!

[lpn programs online]

Wow, that is one huge paw print! Looks a little like the Lion print I saw in Kenya.

[lpn job description]

Wow, I wonder what animal that is!

[medical alerts]

If this print was found in New Jersey, where do these cats stay and more importantly, what are they hunting?!

[grants for single moms]

I agree, there is nothing to be afraid of, but then again I wouldn't recommend walking around in the wilderness alone at dark!

[lpn training programs]

That's one HUGE cat lurking around...!

[Guess]

Hey David, What's the latest on this print?

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