Me personally I think these sightings are Lynx but I am not going to say Cougars definitly aren't around b/c I don't know that, a conservationist with a 4 yr degree doesn't makethem 100% either.

The reason I think there Lynx is b/c we know there around here. This is from the DEC Site

"Between 1989 and 1992, the New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University (CESF) conducted an experimental program of lynx releases in Northern New York. Over 80 lynx were caught in northwestern Canada and released in the Adirondacks. All of the lynx were radiocollared at the time of release, and the radios provided information of survival and dispersal of these animals."

"Some of the released lynx dispersed farther than anyone expected. Lynx from the CESF release showed up in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and other parts of New York. One lynx was found a straight line distance of 485 miles from the release site, 8 months later and 2 pounds heavier than at the time of release."

ALSO

"In many instances it is a case of mistaken identity. Other cats, fishers or dogs are the animals probably seen. Once in a great while a real cougar is sighted. Based on our experiences, it is safe to assume that these animals have been intentionally or unintentionally released by people."