Description
Victim to hunters and a decline in its primary source of food—deer—the last Eastern Cougar is thought to have disappeared from Virginia in 1882. Except for a few in Florida, the cougar is officially listed as extinct in the eastern United States. But several times a year, sightings of the tawny-colored, 140 pound cats are reported to wildlife officials in the Old Dominion. Biologist Don Linzey (Wytheville Community College) is one of those who investigates the reports. He’s never seen a cougar but believes they indeed do wander the mountains of Virginia. Also featured: For centuries, the sleek, sinewy creature has captured our imagination. Chris Bolgiano (James Madison University), author of Mountain Lion: An Unnatural History of Pumas and People, looks back at the lore and lure of the cougar.
