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Eubalaena glacialis, CoyoteCanis latrans Gray wolf Rattus norvegicus House mouse All the same, Therres and his colleagues log every report into a database (so far 150 sightings have been entered) and I suppose the wildlife specialists have a good laugh now and then. No indication of a captive animal. Located in its western counties, the mountains of Maryland add to the geologic, geographic and historic diversity of the State. When the deer in those days were shot into near oblivion by market hunters, the cougar apparently looked for greener pastures elsewhere. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); There are no known mountain lions in North Carolina. The one confirmed case, sometimes referred to as the " Connecticut Mountain Lion " happened in June 2011 when an SUV struck and killed a cougar in Milford. Mesoplodon mirus, Short-beaked common dolphin Connecticuts official position is that mountain lions have been extinct in the state since the late 1800s. The IDNR does admit that because of the confirmed cases, it is possible there are a few free ranging mountain lions present in the state. The last catamount / mountain lion in Vermont was killed in 1881. Biologists and wildlife specialists speculate that cougars will reestablish themselves in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia within the next 25 to 50 years. For sure bigger then a bobcat. ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; Parascalops breweri Eastern mole 818.395.0428. friendly's restaurant maine; crwd earnings release date; curry 4 flowtro release date or the east coast for that matter. Garrett County is Maryland's westernmost county, about 120 miles from Pittsburgh, 180 miles from Baltimore and 180 miles from Washington, D.C. Yes!I have been research and reading on this topic for many years, and I firmly believe there are a few roaming around. But mountain lions haven't been the only large predatory animals supposedly spotted by county residents in recent weeks. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries district wildlife biologist David Kocka is of the same mindset. Furthermore, in recent years, sightings of cougars in the northeast United States and eastern Canada have been on the rise. The map below only lists confirmed sightings, ranging from 170 454. 15 Visitors Center Drive. Cervus elaphusSika deerCervus nippon According to LaRue and her research, lions recolonize by stepping stone dispersal, which essentially means they start traveling, find a nice habitat to set up shop for a little while, then move on to the next area with a suitable habitatand theyll do this for hundreds, even up to thousands of miles. The following population estimates were taken from state government websites, and other authoritative sources. And thats being done without, from what I understand, any real proof. Rags to riches: Stars who were once homeless, Nowhere to hide: US military's portable anti-material weapons, Semper Fi: Famous people you didnt know were U.S. Marines, Fire from the clouds: US military close air support, Beauty and brains: Smartest female celebrities, Fastest combat planes in the US Air Force, Big Tech minions could compromise Americas Intelligence community, Nation annihilator: Biden finds partisan comedy in deaths of innocent Americans, Woody Harrelson proves media has learned nothing about COVID-19 in last three years, Teachers unions care more about power than quality of education. Beginner hikers and bikers can explore short loops near the parking lot before committing to the longer Red and Gray trails. (16) Both habitats are characterized by good stalking cover and abundant prey. There are at least 10 different subspecies of white-tailed deer, and it doesnt make a bit of difference in the grand scheme of things.. State All StatesAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming. While bobcats Being that the Eastern Mountain lion is extinct so I doubt the validity of this, but even if true, do we really need some trophy hunters going out and trying to kill it, just "cause". Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550 - 2182 (301) 334-2250 fax: (301) 334-9027 CLERK/TREASURER Kathryn L. Paugh, Clerk/Treasurer (301) 334-2250. There are reports of sightings in garrett county every year, but sightings are quickly dismissed with a lack of evidence. Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is the best place to find an event in the McHenry MD area. 21532 Homes for Sale; 21561 . The 150th Anniversary Committee is working with each of the eight Garrett County municipalities to showcase our beautiful area as it was "then" (in 1872) and "now" (in 2022). There used to be brown bears, wolves, mountain lions, etc. On a recent stifling morning in Adams County, the 290-pound mountain lion with perfect . Due to disease and habitat. lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId + '-asloaded'), { attributes: true }); These 10 Cozy Cabins & Lodges Are Perfect For Your Winter Getaway, The 8 Best Snowshoeing Trails You Need To Experience In Washington, The eMTB Controversy: eBikes Should Be Allowed On Mountain Bike Trails, A Unique Tunnel in Southern California to Explore. I see cougars every summer at deep creek. There are also mountain lions in other parts of the state but the populations are smaller and exact numbers unclear. It would be easy to identify a full-grown mountain lion in the zoo, but not so easy to identify a full-grown mountain lion roaming the wilds. For more on cougars in Minnesota, see the MDNR page here. Extremely rare individual? Obviously, not in large numbers like they used to be, but . How did they determine it was a Catholic Mountain Lion? Mountain lions were historically found throughout nearly all of North and South America. In an article in the Maryland Natural Resource magazine, Therres mentions that reports of cougar sightings come from every sector in the state as if were overrun with the big cats. On Tuesday, a woman reported seeing a mountain lion at a Maryland park. It is not believed that there is currently any breeding population of mountain lions in the state of Illinois. You are using an out of date browser. For about 15 years there were handfuls of confirmations that showed up in the midwest. W&C renewal in Carroll County recommendation. So here's the story of the Connecticut cougar. The likelihood of seeing one is incredibly rare, let alone interacting with them, she said. Stopped right infront of me in the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area in South Louisiana in the early 1990's. Garrett County and Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; Fish and Wildlife Services declaration of extinction moot? Mountain lions were eliminated from Nebraska by the late 1800s, and it wasnt until the 1990s when they began to return. Possibly. 83 responses. Youd think that with the distinctive white head and tail of adult eagles no one could foul up on it, but Therres says, We receive reports of bald eagles that turn out to be ospreys, hawks, black-backed gulls and even pigeons.. Maryland Mountain Lion Research Division | Frederick MD Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section, Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses, View up to date on firearm-related events. A community for redditors residing in or otherwise interested in the State of Maryland, USA. To see Indianas Department of Natural Resources pages on mountain lions, check here. When a female kitten gets big enough, she doesnt have to go very far, because nobodys kicking her in the butt to get far away.. A few years ago a ML was hit on a Conneticut highway with DNA linked to a small population in the Dakatos. There is no permanent breeding population of mountain lions in Wisconsin, however there are occasional confirmed sighings. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); Sorex hoyiwinnemanaNorthern short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda Least shrew Most likely a released pet but as DW mentioned, a cat from the Dakotas was traced by DNA all the way east to where it was hit by a car in Connecticut. They dont go after dogs and cats or people. Mountain Lions have been more prevalent to the west in the last 100 years, but many of the pockets of breeding populations east of the Mississippi River have been wiped out over the decades due to habitat loss and hunting. So lets dive right into the article and have a look at all of the U.S. states that Mountain Lions call home, as well as those that they dont. Me and my friend are trying to put together a list/map of sightings in MD. Up Next The Rams will look to right the ship at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 20, when they travel to face the 2-5 Smithsburg Leopards. Then what? The population is considered zero with perhaps the occasional transient visitor. Advertisement. Over 20 species of mammals are considered to be rare, threatened or endangered in Maryland. Tom Kelly, a Charlestown resident, was driving home recently when he said . I was fairly excited and spoke to a guy at work about calling DNR because I thought I saw something "special". There have been at least two other sightings in the same area. A handful of these have been confirmed over the years, but according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 95% of reported sightings are mistaken identity. Bobcats resemble domestic house cats with a few key differences. help raise the young. Sounded like a woman getting raped. LaRue is the first to admit that shed love to see a mountain lion in the wild, and she of all people understands the fascination with them. 220. There is a brewing debate in the state of whether mountain lion hunting should be taken off the table until population numbers increase. Mountain lions can be found throughout Arizona, and data suggests the populations are not only stable, but growing. Hunting is allowed, with the state controlling the number of allowed harvests every year. I shouldn't publicly admit this but here we goooooooo You must log in or register to reply here. The smaller wild cats are the Bobcat, Lynx, Ocelot, and Jaguarundis. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Association (TWRA) confirmed that the cat, which sniffed around on the ground and in a low-hanging tree branch before looking square into the camera with its mouth wide open, was in fact a mountain lion. Elkridge actually used to have elk, lol. Photos are difficult to confirm, Peterson saidthe process involves sending wildlife experts to the exact spot where the cat was allegedly seen to take another photo in order to compare it to the original and verify the location. As the European settlers arrived and populations grew, cougars became a prized animal to hunters, and a hated threat to farmers and ranchers livestock. Minnesota does not have an established breeding population of mountain lions. This list is for breeding mountain lion populations, but some sightings are noted. They can then come back several times during the week to feed on the carcass. Others, including the park ranger she met that day and wildlife experts shes reached out to since the sighting, are skeptical. We know theres at least one there, and if we get reports of a cougar causing damage then theres a possibility well need to investigate that. There is currently no breeding population of Mountain Lions in Alaska. Marchibroda wasnt under any illusions that she could catch or in any way interact with the mountain lion she saw on her hike. They are considered to be the only breeding species of cougar in the eastern part of the U.S. Florida panthers were listed as endangered in 1967. 106 H St, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550. Not glad to see it is on the Maryland Shooters page. If for some reason there were any cougars rediscovered in the east that werent migrants from the west, the protection status is up to the state in which it is found, LaRue said. All rights reserved. The bear and coyote population has increased. Michigan no longer has an established mountain lion population, however confirmed sightings are starting to become more frequent. Well, We have all heard or maybe even seen a mountain lion here in Garrett County. Eastern cougars are not a distinct species genetically. Despite many people claiming they have seen a mountain lion and calling sightings in to the state authorities, only one has been confirmed. Garrett County is a natural wonder, boasting three Maryland records: the highest free-falling waterfall, the largest freshwater lake, and the highest point. Last November a bow hunter reported to the TWRA that he had shot a cougar in Carroll County. 15: January 22, 2011: Macon: Subadult male mountain lion shot by coyote hunters. Im of the opinion that there really never was a big difference between the eastern cats and whats in existence now, she said. They once populated the state, colloquially called the Catamount. There is no known population of mountain lions in Rhode Island. When Dr. Michelle LaRue began her graduate studies in 2005, the state of Nebraska had virtually no mountain lions. (Habitat for Humanity International) Garrett County Habitat's Mission:Building safe, adequate houses for those in need who That might depend on who you ask, but LaRue, whos been studying mountain lions for more than a decade, isnt convinced that eastern cougars were ever any different from the western subspecies. In 2012, LaRue and her colleague Dr. Clay Nielsen published a paper in the Journal of Wildlife Management analyzing 178 confirmed sightings between 1990 and 2008 throughout the Midwestern and Eastern states and parts of Canada. Having said that, through conservation efforts these big cats are making a comeback in many areas with their ranges and populations growing. Texas definitely has mountain lions, however just how many is unknown. Bobcats are the only official populous and breeding big cats found in the state of Maryland. I saw two about 20 years ago in WV while hunting. Department Info Menu. They are distributed throughout the state, except for a pocket around the Columbia river basin where not many reside. Balaenoptera acutorostrata, North Atlantic right whale Free: See How You're Listed. The farm and land I hunt on borders King Wilderson Rd. Page 3 Pa Mountain Lion. When they take prey that is too large to eat in one sitting, they will often drag it off to a protected spot and cover it in pine needles, grass or dry leaves to keep it hidden from other predators or scavengers that might want to steal their meal. It is well known that they sometimes poke out east looking for territory. While the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks department hesitates to give solid numbers because they feel methods for tracking the population need to be improved, their estimate in 2019 was about 4,000 4,500 mountain lions. There is currently no breeding population and I couldnt find many reports of sightings either. For a complete list of rare animals in Maryland, please click here. Why do they believe it now? Recently, I went out of town and my mother was house sitting my home in Northern Carroll County (Union Mills). According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife In Nevada lions are found in areas of pinion pine, juniper, mountain mahogany, ponderosa pine and mountain brush. Mountain lions have been extirpated (considered extinct) from the eastern U.S. states for almost 100 years, however roaming cougars from western states often travel east searching for territory. Indiana does not have a mountain lion population, although there are occasional sightings. OK.. What are your thoughts on mountain lions? DNR didn't believe me either. covering it with leaves, snow or sticks to eat it at a later time. I think its all the same.. After an unfortunate past of over hunting, Montanas mountain lion population has made a comeback. ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive = 'true'; They exclusively populated western states for decades, but according to LaRue, some shifts in hunting regulations began to change things about 50 years ago: lions were switched from the bounty hunter category to a game species managed by the states. Female cougars will raise a litter of kittens up until the age of about 20 months, LaRue explained, and then the young cats are kind of kicked out and left on their own. The males, especially, are forced to disperse away from the family, partly to avoid inbreeding, and partly because male cougars are territorial and wont tolerate any other males in their domain. Visit the Washington cougar page here. In November of last year, a giant cat with a long tail wandered in front of Tennessee resident Austin Burtons deer camera on his familys farm in Humphreys County. However, it is pretty well accepted that there are no cougars living in the east currently.. Mammals such as the Nutria, Black rat, Norway rat, House mouse, Sika deer and feral pony have been introduced to Maryland. Bobcats are considered to be uncommon in Maryland. Bobcats tend to be opportunists and Halichoerus grypus, Eastern mountain lion One of her biggest concerns about the recent declaration of extinction is that any cats in the area (whether western migrants or otherwise) and their habitats wouldnt be protected. (Getty Images) The West Virginia Encyclopedia says the last mountain lion killing was reported out of Pocahontas County in the late 1880s. McHenry MD 301-387-4386. www.visitdeepcreek.com. Cubs are born after 90 days, born small and blind, kept hidden by mom in thick vegetation for about 40-70 days. Being in a residential neighborhood does nothing for a cougar.. This plus increasing numbers of deer and elk allowed the lion population to slowly recover. But the DNR claims they don't exist in western Md. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources. They then have to ensure that the picture hasnt been tampered with in any way, because Peterson said an astounding number of peopleboth misinformed wildlife enthusiasts and tricksters with too much time on their hands and access to Photoshopsend him shots of mountain lions that were clearly either edited or taken in a state out west. Condylura cristataparva, Little brown batMyotis lucifugusIndiana batMyotis sodalisEastern small-footed batMyotis leibiiNorthern long-eared batMyotis septentrionalisSilver-haired batLasionycteris noctivagansTricolored BatPerimyotis subflavusBig brown batEptesicus fuscusRed batLasiurus borealisHoary batLasiurus cinereusEvening batNycticeius humeralis, Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus Appalachian cottontail Wearing empty holster around to adapt, did you? And just this last year TN verified the first reported ML in the state in over 100 years, verified by trail camera and the state biologists. But European colonization essentially extirpated the cats from about two thirds of their habitat in the U.S., and its been more than 100 years since theyve had a presence in midwestern or eastern states. Gardens, Scenic Walking Areas. Our wildlife research team decided to help take the mystery out of the sighting by going to the location and comparing the size of the animal to stationary objects in the frame as well as a human subject. . Occasionally, Balaenoptera borealis Common minke whale fields, old roads and farmland. Forget Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster. The Mennonites in Maryland maintain a small population dating back over a century. Cougars must be identified by having been captured, found dead, or the investigators must have seen definite tracks or other evidence. They have a stocky build and notable pointy tufts of black fur at the tips of the ears. In 1971 they were classified as game animals, and hunting could therefore be controlled by the state. The nearest wild populations are also many hundreds of miles away in Nebraska and Florida. Genetic analyses confirmed the hair was from a male mountain lion and the propbable population of origin was Colorado. But the thing about mountain lions is that females dont travel as far or as often, and when they disperse they dont go very far or very well.. Microtus pinetorum, Southern bog lemming The Eastern Continental Divide runs along portions of Backbone Mountain. Above youll also see links to pages with maps of all the different features in Garrett County. Bobcat photos courtesy of David Westphalen/Painet Inc. National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential. The state has begun to use more high tech methods for tracking the secretive lions, including motion-capture cameras, mathematical models and GPS collaring. Garrett County Board of Commissioners Trails. Delphinus delphis Appointed by Board of County Commissioners with approval of Secretary of Human Services & advice of Social Services Board: Alicia D. Streets, Director (301) 533-3000; tty: (301) 334-5426 12578 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550 - 0556 For a complete list of rare animals in Maryland, please click here. The data they have collected over the years indicates that cougars are gradually making their way eastward, and validated the theory that young males travel farther and more quickly than females, making the repopulation process a gradual one. A man older than me who is very reputable and hunts on this land saw one going through our woods 3 yrs. Many experts believe with the high deer population (cougars favorite prey animal) that mountain lions could begin to make a comeback in their historic eastern range, given enough available habitat. on the Coastal Plain. There are an estimated 3,000 7,000 Mountain lions in Colorado. Mom has been surrounded by hunters all . Coldwell Banker Realty and Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC share common ownership and because of this relationship the brokerage may receive a financial or other benefit. Native, reproductive lion population in Maryland - no. MUNICIPALITIES IN GARRETT COUNTY Within Garrett County are eight incorporated towns: Accident, Deer Park, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn Heights, Mountain Lake Park, and Oakland. Sometimes the hair can be sparse, or it can be modified hairs like quills on a Porcupine. This isnt just hearsay.. The mountain lion was killed east of Altoona and south of State College , Pa. northeast of Raystown Lake between Mt. Special thanks go to Gene Scarpulla and Susan Knowles for their assistance and information regarding marine mammals. Fish and Wildlife Service removed eastern subspecies of cougars from the endangered species list last year and declared them extinct. Mountain lions are very adaptable to different types of environments, which is why they are so widespread across North and South America. Although they're not often seen walking about. In 2005, six subspecies were recognized: Depending on who you talk to, some scientists consider that only a few of those are valid distinctions. There are, after all, wild mountain lions not zoo specimens in Florida. This list will likely continue to evolve as more sophisticated and widespread DNA testing is performed. Humpback whale But she was familiar with (and disturbed by) the U.S. Therefore roaming cats moving west are expected to sometimes cross into Minnesota. The typically silent cats will make loud screaming noises. These species include the Gray wolf, American elk, Eastern mountain lion, Snowshoe hare, American marten and Eastern harvest mouse. Saw a black panther with my own eyes. This makes how much suitable land is available for them to roam one of the biggest limiting factors in their population. View Montanas Living with Mountain Lions page here. . Photo: Oakland Zoo. A couple of sightings involved captive mountain lions that escaped . While mountain lions were considered rare in Arkansas after 1920, it seems they are making a comeback. container.style.width = '100%'; Peromyscus maniculatusWhite-footed deer mousePeromyscus leucopus Allegheny woodrat To learn more about lion country in Colorado check here. Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. It has to be a good, clear photo, and we get all kinds of fuzzy stuff that could be a bobcat, could be a yellow lab, but its so far away or so fuzzy we cant tell.. Moral of the story, take what DNR says with a grain of salt..There have been plenty of big cat sightings in VA that I am aware of. Listings. Find out more about mountain lions sightings in Illinois here. So, wouldnt believe everything you read. 65 Garrett County Maryland Premium High Res Photos Browse 65 garrett county maryland stock photos and images available, or search for deep creek lake maryland or oakland maryland to find more great stock photos and pictures. Indians and native people of both continents often revered and had much admiration and folklore surrounding the big cats. Young males may travel long distances looking for new territory. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Where were you? Only a few confirmed sightings of mountain lions have occurred in Tennessee in recent years. Males are known to sometimes wander far in search of their own territory. Stenella frontalis Striped dolphin The government claims that mountain lions are extinct in Appalachia and no sightings have been confirmed since 1938. Globicephala macrorhynchus Melon-headed whale I have met with a couple guys over the years that have had first hnd encounters.one in Freindsville, Md and one outside of Richmond, VA. From my "research" I believe there are three reasons for the sightings..wondering males from further mid west, released pets or transplants(illegally) and a very small remnant populationOr some combination . Mustela nivalisLong-tailed weaselNeogale frenataMinkNeovison visonNorthern river otterLontra canadensis, Harbor seal Kogia simus, Cuvier's beaked whale This is still a very small number, but does suggest that mountain lions are travelings slightly more frequently to Michigan from established mountain lion territory in areas like South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. And yes I am a predator hunter who goes out after coyotes at night. I know a guy who knows a guy whose cousin's boyfriend's uncle saw a mountain lion for sure in Garrett County. He envisions calls from parents, too afraid to send their kids out to the bus stop knowing theres a mountain lion within miles of the area. Occasional sightings are made, but nothing confirmed. 3600 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002. A western mountain lion. Some locals call this the phantom cat and liken it to the Loch Ness monster. Or so they think!. The relatively quiet communities of Oakland, Mountain . With 17 divisions as well as players who range from nationally ranked to family members who play for fun, you are sure to find your match in our tournament. I also think many of the sightings are inaccurate or misinformed identifications.however I'd say a small percentage are accurate. Mountain Lion Confirmed ktm rider Oct 6, 2012 The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast Member Benefits: No ad networks! TWRA has had their collective heads up their cloacas for a very long time in denial of these sitings [sic] and reports, reads a comment on a December 2015 article about the video footage. The last sighting reports considered to be confirmed where in 2009-2010. Zapus hudsonius Woodland jumping mouse She believes that North American mountain lionsincluding the Florida panther, which she said is protected because they are considered a distinct population segment via the Endangered Species Actare essentially all the same, without enough genetic distinctions to justify differentiating the western and eastern subspecies. 106 H St, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550. Diana Marchibroda and her miniature schnauzer froze in their tracks when the mountain lion stepped out of the woods last May. The big cats of North America are Cougars (often referred to as Mountain Lions), and Jaguars. He said he had gotten a tip that DNR was bringing in a truck from Texas to unload a bunch of coyotes around Swallow Falls and he was hiding in the woods hoping to see it when the mountain lion came by. The Susquehannock Wildlife Society wrote an article about a potential cougar photograph submitted to them and discussed their process of investigation, in the end they deemed it was not a mountain lion. However, it boarders North and South Dakota, both of which do have established mountain lion populations. I know they arent accurate from first hand experience. var slotId = 'div-gpt-ad-mountainzone_com-medrectangle-3-0'; Were going to look at Mountain Lion population by state, though many states dont have a population as Cougars are mainly found in Western U.S. states. Garrett County Board of Commissioners Trails. Neotoma magister, Southern red-backed vole Clethrionomys gapperi Theres no guarantee that cougars trekking from South Dakota will stick around, or that the female in Tennessee will have kittens. Mennonites in Maryland. Pagophilus groenlandicus Hooded seal Starting in 1879 and lasting many decades, bounties were paid for killing mountain lions in Montana, severely impacting the population. Rocky ledges are used many times for courtship days, two to three kittens will be born. While much of North Dakota is open prairie habitat that will not support many mountain lions, they do reside in the more mountainous western parts of the state. Published on April 13, 2022 05:04 PM. Also known as cougar, puma, or panther, these native big cats lived throughout Maryland when the first colonists arrived. 313 East Alder Street. After extirpation over 100 years ago, mountain lions have not returned to Mississippi. Between 1994 and early 2020, there have been 82 confirmed reports. What I set out to do was figure out habitat stability and dispersal corridors into the midwest, said LaRue, a research assistant in the earth sciences department at the University of Minnesota who studies mountain lions.