Mlo31, Im with you on this one. I havent been following this thread for pretty obvious reasons, but I see its still going.

The DEC CANT release mt lions due to liability factors, its pretty simple. Very few exist in NY state, and the very few that do are obviously animals escaped or released by private individuals illegally or at least accidently.

Anyone with even a basic understanding of predator/prey dynamics knows why there are no lions, and why bobcats have a limited range. Coyotes will always reign supreme in this state because of its ability to both harvest prey of all sizes and to readily accept carrion as part of its diet. Ultimately though, its intelligence and ability to co-mingle with man is why it prospers, and why lions would not.

It sure would be great to have mt lions listed as a current indigenous specie, but its just not being stocked by the DEC, regardless of what story circulates, with or without pics!