SIDNEY
Is it a mountain lion?
By JOEL ELLIOTT
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Friday, June 29, 2007

SIDNEY -- A state biologist is investigating a claim that someone here sighted a mountain lion in the area.

An anonymous resident sent a photo of a mountain lion to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and experts there have yet to determine its validity, according to department spokesman Mark Latti.

"The photo is inconclusive, just because of the perspective, and it only shows part of the cat," he said.

Latti said it would be easier to determine the type of cat if the back end were visible in the photo, as long tails are a distinctive feature of mountain lions.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife receives similar sporadic calls from residents across the state, but biologists have not found evidence that they consider to be conclusive about the cats' presence, Latti said.

"There is not a wild population of mountain lions or cougars in the state," he said.

"However, there's a very real possibility that someone could have brought it in from another state and released it. Or it could be an escaped domestic one."

Latti said that if there were a wild population of mountain lions in the state, there would be more sightings or hard evidence, such as road kill.

"While it is a possibility, we just don't have enough evidence to substantiate it," he said.

Joel Elliott -- 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com

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Reader comments

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fran vitolo of topsham, ME
Jun 29, 2007 7:33 AM
This issue is back again? I thought it was established several years ago that, yes, there are mountain lions in Maine. I've seen pictures, most likely in this very newspaper, showing that elusive, long-tailed cat, perhaps via Gene Letourneau's terrific column. Why the argument? I believe the big cats are here, living peacefully and enjoying Maine as we all do.report abuse
Bubba of Mt Vernon, ME
Jun 29, 2007 9:34 AM
"Latti said that if there were a wild population of mountain lions in the state, there would be more sightings or hard evidence, such as road kill." Wow these cats drive, far out.report abuse
bear of augusta, ME
Jun 29, 2007 10:21 AM
Once the cat attacks someone then they will sing another tune. Who in there right mind is going to travel with something like that. I thought that it was illegal to have that kind of pet wether is is domestic or not. report abuse
SAREHA of FARMINGDALE, ME
Jun 29, 2007 10:31 AM
Bubba,
DUH!report abuse

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