HomeMountain Lion in Chaplin
I spotted a Mountain Lion in Chaplin, CT on July 6, 2012 around 8:30-8:45pm. Earlier in the evening I was cooking with vegetable oil and while I was doing the dishes, that evening, I dumped the oil in the woods, not more than 15 feet from the house. I have never had a problem doing this in the past.
I went back in the house and about 10-15 minutes later I heard a loud but very low sounding growl/almost burping noise coming from the area where I dumped the oil. I ran to the upstairs window to see what animal was outside because from the kitchen window I could not see the landscape very well. From the upstairs window I was about 10 feet away from the animal.
I saw a huge animal standing in the weeds/grass area with a large tail. He/she crawled up on top of the large rocks so I got a full view of the animal. It had an enormous body with a tiny head, pointy ears, very long thick tail, and the fur was a light tan color. It was not startled by me at all.
We were staring at each other for a solid two minutes. I heard my dog downstairs getting a little anxious (but never barking) and realized all the windows were opened. I ran downstairs to close every window.
I then proceeded to look online at pictures of big cats, bob cats, cougars and mountain lions. Right away I identified with the Mountain Lion pictures. I also listened to recorded noises from Mountain Lions and it matched perfectly from what I heard moments before.
July 10th, 2012 - 09:12
Wow! Must’ve been some tasty oil!
July 15th, 2012 - 10:20
My dog got charged very close to the house around 7:30 pm on July 10 th by the same animal you described. Beautiful large animal! We had several sightings of this mountain lion in our neighborhood in Mansfield CT during the last two weeks which were reported to the DEP.
July 15th, 2012 - 20:59
I reported the sighting to DEEP as well. I was transfered to 4 different people. No one wanted to take the call. Finally someone “took a message” but I have not heard anything more about it.
July 16th, 2012 - 09:27
Yes, I think they didn’t believe me either and wanted to convince me that it was a bobcat.
The cougar was very close to the house in an open area and I was able to see every detail of it.
They called me back and told me that they would send someone the next day to look for tracks in the swamp area behind our yard…. I never heard anything either.
This animal was bigger than a German Shepherd. My dog who got charged by the lion is 55 lbs.
So compared to him I would estimate the cougar weighs about 90 lbs.
As I said, a beautiful animal even though the situation with my dog was a bit scary.
July 16th, 2012 - 16:20
Dear Kelly,
Would you consider talking to me about your sighting. I’m doing a story on the subject. my email is [email protected].
July 17th, 2012 - 13:46
My sister lives in Chaplin and her neighbor said a mountain lion was going after their 1 day old calf.
July 18th, 2012 - 00:43
She would be justified to take it out or as the DEEP told us”If it is harassing you livestock , you can dispatch it”.
July 20th, 2012 - 07:57
I thought this was a website for people who love wold life.
I won’t post any sightings here anymore since I’m afraid that people use this to hunt these animals.
July 20th, 2012 - 19:23
WE are not hunting these beasts however I would love to see it. Your dog is charged by a lion but your concerned about the lion. I’m sure your dog has more loyalty than that. The lady with the calf is supposed to just let it die. Its just a matter of time until its someones kid. We care for our animals and our kids do also, I and they would defend the animals, and have. The DEEP will tell you, you are justified to dispatch a predator that is harassing your livestock. Once they know your place offers an easy meal, they will return. Will it be little Johnny next time. He is slower than every other animal there. The cougar returning to CT is really bad news……..
July 26th, 2012 - 06:21
Let’s put this in perspective:
Every year approximately 40 000 people die in fatal car accidents in the US among them many children. Approx. 1 person dies in a fatal car accident every 12 min in the US. 12 people died in a few minutes in the Colorado shooting…….
Between 1890 and 2004, in a 114 years period, there where only 20 fatal cougar attacks reported
Humans not wildlife are humans worst enemy.
July 27th, 2012 - 04:30
OOOOO…..the old Fatal car accident/mountain lion argument…….First human attacks have been increasing as people move into their territory like California and they move into ours like here in New England. Sure seems like a lot of folks are seeing thees “GHOSTS OF THE Forrest” We must be in a haunted hot spot.They are getting use to us, just look at all the posts of the cat just looking at the person and doesn’t care. Its use to being the TOP CAT. Were just part of their environment and soon to be potential food source.
Comparing cars, something that is absolutely necessary with a cat we have no need for is just ridiculous. Finally , some bozo shoots up a theater, we should be OK with predators roaming our woods and waiting for the inevitable disaster . I don’t see the linkage…..
July 30th, 2012 - 22:13
Where do you live?
I am writing a book on CT wildlife and am looking fior Lion photos.
August 1st, 2012 - 14:29
Dear Kelly,
I was wondering if it is at all possible you could contact me about your encounter. I have a big heart
and passionate about nature and all wildlife most of my life. My first husband was from Chaplin.
the Spencer’s on rt. 197. Anyway, we both loved wildlife and hiked all over. I have a newspaper clip
ing with a picture of a eastern cougar up a tree with his or her long tail hanging and the big cat is looking down. This incident took place in the Goodwin forest, 1985. the person just happen to have a camera at the time of the encounter. there is more to this information in the news
paper clipping that I have. Please contact me by email if you could so i can give you my phone number if your interested in seeing and reading all of this article . I live in the little town of Hanover ct. right next door to Scotland ct. By the way the person who took the picture was from Chaplin.
Hope to here from you soon. Thank You!!!!! Marie