Wildlife in the News

Mountain Lion Track

Search For Mountain Lion In Manalapan, NJ
Large Cat, Animal Tracks Spotted

Updated: Friday, 12 Mar 2010, 1:14 PM EST Published : Friday, 12 Mar 2010, 6:57 AM EST

By: KATHY CARVAJAL

MYFOXNY.COM - A large cat resembling a cougar or mountain lion was spotted by two people along the Manalapan and Marlboro border in New Jersey, according to Manalapan Police.

Cops say an animal control officer was sent to the area around Robertsville Road on Thursday after a report of a possible mountain lion spotting came in at 7:30 a.m. The officer also saw what he described as a "large cat" and found "feline tracks."

A wildlife expert is examining the tracks to determine the species, according to police.

"We would urge people to be aware of their surroundings at all times. We have no indication of a direct threat to people at this time. We do have road kill but it could be foxes, coyotes or feline," Police Captain Chris Marsala told Good Day NY on Friday.

Crews searched the area overhead aboard a helicopter on Thursday, but did not spot the large cat.

Mountain lions are believed to be extinct on the east coast.

According to Wikipedia.com , the mountain lion, also known as puma or panther depending on the region, is a large, solitary cat found in the Western Hemisphere, extending from Canada to South America. The largest population of mountain lions in the United States can be found in the northwest, particularly Oregon. Their primary food source is deer, elk, racoons, and other mammals and birds. The mountain lion is most closely related to small felines.