GOSHEN — Following a reported sighting of a mountain lion in Goshen on Friday, local officials are urging residents to remain alert and cautious. The Chesterfield Animal Control office took to social media to advise the community, stating, “Please be wary of your surroundings and call 911 if you are in danger.” This warning came after a cougar was reportedly seen on South Chesterfield Road, prompting concerns about public safety in the area.

Chesterfield Animal Control Officer Kelli Wainscott shared her personal experiences with cougars, noting that she has encountered these animals on her property. Despite the alarming report, officials from Mass Wildlife remain skeptical about the validity of the sighting. Biologist Nate Buckhout, based in Cummington, acknowledged the report but indicated that the agency has yet to find any physical evidence to substantiate the claim. He emphasized that, at this point, the sighting remains unconfirmed.

Historically, Mass Wildlife has verified only two cougar sightings in the region, both occurring near the Quabbin Reservoir, where DNA evidence from scat was collected. However, the specific subspecies of those cougars was not identified. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared the eastern cougar extinct, citing a lack of confirmed sightings in its historic range during a 2011 survey across 21 Eastern states. Despite this, Buckhout suggested that there may still be cougars in Western Massachusetts, recalling the last confirmed sighting in 2011 when a young male was tragically killed in a vehicle collision.

What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe it is a mountain lion? We invite you to share your opinions in the comments section.

Sightings map

Author: mkmcst

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