TOMS RIVER, NJ – Rumors of mountain lions roaming New Jersey have persisted for decades, but state officials are once again making it clear: there is no confirmed evidence that the big cats call the Garden State home.
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Official stance
The New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains that mountain lions, also known as cougars, have been absent from the region since the late 1800s. The eastern cougar population was officially declared extinct in the eastern United States, and biologists say there is no verified evidence of a return.
“Despite periodic reports, we have not documented any physical proof such as tracks, DNA, or confirmed photos,” the agency has stated.
The sightings are likely small deer, coyotes, or large foxes, according to experts, which are all common in the woods of Ocean County and Toms River.
Sightings and speculation
Public reports of possible cougar sightings surface every year, with residents from the Pine Barrens to North Jersey claiming to spot the elusive predator. Local outlets, including Cat Country 107.3, have tracked the stories, but none have led to verified evidence or any warnings issued by local or state wildlife officials.
Experts note that in a densely populated state with widespread use of trail cameras and smartphones, the absence of clear photographic proof makes the case for wild mountain lions highly unlikely.
What else people may be seeing
Officials believe most sightings can be traced to bobcats, a species native to New Jersey. Bobcats are much smaller than mountain lions but can appear similar at a distance.
Other possible misidentifications include large domestic cats or even wild dogs.
For now, state wildlife officials stand firm: New Jerseyans may encounter bobcats in the woods, but they won’t be running into cougars.
Key Points
- State wildlife experts confirm no evidence of mountain lions in New Jersey.
- Eastern cougar population is considered extinct in the eastern U.S. since the 1800s.
- Reported sightings are likely bobcats or misidentified animals.
In New Jersey, the cougar remains more myth than mountain cat.