The mountain lion, Puma concolor, is a large, tawny-colored feline known by many regional names, including cougar, puma, and panther. This adaptable predator once spanned the Americas, possessing the widest distribution of any terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. The species plays a significant ecological role as an apex predator, primarily preying on deer and other large ungulates. Understanding the current distribution and status of this animal requires examining official wildlife records and separating anecdotal reports from scientific evidence to answer the question of its presence in the mid-Atlantic region.
The Official Status in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) classifies the Eastern mountain lion (Felis concolor) as an extirpated species, meaning no established, breeding population exists within the state’s borders. This official designation reflects a consensus among wildlife officials across the eastern United States that native populations were eliminated long ago.
The absence of a breeding population is supported by a lack of physical evidence, such as roadkill, scat, confirmed tracks, or den sites, which would be expected if the animals were consistently present. While the state’s woodlands and recovering deer population could potentially support mountain lions, the current environment does not host a self-sustaining group. Any confirmed mountain lion presence in Maryland would represent an isolated transient animal rather than an indicator of a permanent return to the state’s ecosystem.
Historical Presence and Extirpation
Mountain lions were once native to Maryland and the entire eastern half of North America. The decline of this population began with European settlement, which brought intensive hunting pressure and massive habitat fragmentation. Settlers actively sought to eliminate large predators to protect livestock and perceived human safety.
The extirpation process accelerated through the 19th and early 20th centuries as bounties were common and forest land was cleared for agriculture. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the Eastern cougar extinct in 2018, confirming the native population had vanished decades earlier. Today, the species maintains stable populations primarily west of the Mississippi River, with the only established eastern breeding population being the genetically distinct Florida panther.
Analyzing Reported Sightings and Transient Animals
Reports of mountain lion sightings in Maryland persist, often stemming from misidentification and the rare presence of transient animals. Misidentification accounts for the vast majority of reports, where other medium-to-large mammals are mistakenly identified as a cougar. Common culprits include bobcats, large coyotes, or even domestic dogs and feral cats, whose size can be distorted by distance or poor lighting.
On rare occasions, a confirmed mountain lion in the East is a young, dispersing male that has traveled thousands of miles from the Western population. These animals leave their birth areas in search of new territory, capable of traversing vast distances across multiple states. For example, in 2011, a cougar killed in Connecticut was confirmed via genetic testing to have journeyed over 1,500 miles from South Dakota. Such an animal passing through Maryland would be a temporary visitor, not a sign of a recovering local population, and its presence would likely be documented through DNA evidence or a carcass.
Safety Guidelines for Encountering Large Predators
Although the risk of encountering a mountain lion in Maryland is negligible, residents should be prepared for interactions with other large predators, such as black bears and coyotes. General safety guidelines focus on prevention and appropriate reaction. Never approach or attempt to feed a wild animal, and keep pets secured on leashes or indoors, especially during dawn and dusk hours.
If a confrontation occurs, the goal is to convince the animal that you are not prey and pose a threat. Do not run, as this can trigger a chase response. Instead, make yourself appear large by raising your arms, opening your jacket, and making noise. If the animal attacks, fight back aggressively using any available objects, focusing on vulnerable areas like the face and eyes.