Reintroducing cougars to Eastern North America
By koopharper
@koopharper (7600)
Canada
July 6, 2016 4:28am CST
A few days ago a friend of mine spotted a cougar crossing the main road about halfway between Sackville and Cap Pele. They have a huge territory and we live where this cat likely roams.
Cougar sightings are rare in northeastern North America but are increasing. Some people think this is wonderful news because they were thought hunted to extinction in this part of the world more than a hundred years ago.
The truth is that in Canada at least they have quietly been given a hand by the Canadian government without public consultation. In Eastern Ontario the government denied sighting and their involvement for years. At one point they finally admitted that they'd released some into the wild in that area. I know that this is what happened here in New Brunswick as well.
Here's the discussion question. Do you think reintroducing such a powerful predator is really a good idea? Especially considering there isn't anyone who keeps livestock in the area who would support such a move.
4 people like this
5 responses
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
That's exactly why they were hunted to extinction. I'm sure the owner of the feedlot down the road is incensed over this. I don't think that hunting them down like what was done was right don't get me wrong. They haven't been a part of this Eco-system for quite a long time. Besides their natural prey, white-tailed deer, have been on the decline before the reintroduction.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (335404)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jul 16
@koopharper Times change. If their natural prey has largely disappeared there seems nothing to gain and much to lose by their reintroduction.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
@JudyEv My worry is that their competition for prey had changed. Not sure how they will adapt.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 16
There is always a problem when the government starts messing to "re-balance." In the US, wolves were re-introduced into certain areas and protected and now they are running amuck not just killing livestock but breeding out of control with no checks.
2 people like this
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
This is why I don't trust government to do this sort of thing in an intelligent manner. This wouldn't be the first time this didn't turn out right.
@snowy22315 (177365)
• United States
30 Nov 16
I don't really think it is a great idea. They became basically extinct in the East for a reason.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
1 Dec 16
I think what bothers me the most is government denying they did it for so long. This is a democracy and I think we should have some say in decisions like this.
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
I don't trust the government experts who studied this. This animal is dangerous in a surprise confrontation. Hiding something like this from the public, I think is irresponsible.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38752)
• Midland, Michigan
7 Jul 16
Even if there were livestock in the area to feed these types of animals, the owners of those cattle wouldn't like it if their funds were eaten up at will.
No, I don't think it's a good idea to bring them back. If they never were pushed out it would be one things, but you'd have to build an awful high fence to ensure they didn't jump over into your yard from one of the surrounding trees, I'd think.
We have coyotes on the outskirts of town, but I've not heard how many there are or whether the townspeople have problems with them at all. I think they may be as afraid of the residents as the people would be of them, but the larger animals probably aren't afraid of anyone or anything.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
7 Jul 16
Cougars can leap 18 feet straight up. They can jump down from a height of sixty feet without getting hurt. Can any farmer afford the necessary fence? They reportedly can leap across a forty foot ditch. Cougars are extraordinary predators. They have no natural enemies.
1 person likes this
