PGC and DEC along with every other Eastern agent have claimed over and over these are escapes and releases.......My opinion that's what I believe they are also. My simple reasoning is the way this cat acts. Compare the action of these cats to the totally wild ones in the west where they are known and populated.
I am not doubting what you are saying here as it is possible that they are nothing more than releases. One was caught being brought into Me. here a couple years ago that, was being intended for releasing. But, doesn't the eastern look different also? Like the lacking of white markings on the face, the size also being much smaller? I think that also with this state anyhow that with the vast amount of woods and the lack of a hugh population it would be difficult to say the least to have wiped them out completely. So again I am asking if in fact one such animal was found here or there what would the restrictions be on hunting and trapping in these areas or states? I know here that we do not have wolves, but, 2 were killed here. 1 was shot in the western part of the state and 1 was caught by a trapper in the eastern part of the state. But, just like the easterns they do not exist also.