1992 Cougar Sighting in Dover Plains, NY

Hello Bo and Steve,

It was a pleasure to meet you both at the Sharon Ct. Audubon presentation on Sunday January 24th (Nature’s Perfect Predator- Mountain Lions in CT).

My apologies for not being able to send my 'sighting' information sooner, but as promised...

On a warm Sunday morning in the summer of 1992, I saw a Mountain Lion in the grass under a Mulberry tree about 30 yards from my front porch. I was inside with all three sliding glass doors open and watching TV when all of sudden I heard birds screeching outside.

I went to the open door and saw this long tailed animal crouched, with a fixed gaze, and slowly moving towards a tree that was about another 30 feet in the distance. I followed it's gaze and there I saw my Siamese cat very high above on a branch in that same tree. In the moment I looked from my cat back to the animal... and with no effort at all... it sprang from the ground about 20 feet into the tree.

Fearing for my cat, I yelled and threw the TV remote I was still holding in my hand toward the tree. The animal turned its head to look at me and then jumped out of the tree towards the woods.

IT WAS AN AMAZING DAY!!!! My cat was scared but still alive and I saw a Mountain Lion!!!

As for Mountain Lion's size and color, it's body appeared lengthy and I would guess it was greater than 80 lbs using my 72lb dog as a point of reference. The most distinct feature was its very long tail and it was dark and light tan in color. Its face, which I saw straight on for a split second was simply magnificent. Also, It left visible claw marks in
the tree that were about 1+ inches or so in length.

The property where this took place is on a wooded hillside a few miles west of the 10 mile river.

Thank so much for providing an opportunity to recall my Mountain lion sighting and share my story with you. As I mentioned at the presentation, I feel truly blessed to have seen this beautiful creature in the 'wild'.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to visit the location where this took place. My family still lives there.. Thanks again and best of luck to you both.

Sincerely,
Karen Ferdinand
3 Overlook Dr
Pawling, NY 12564