More than a dozen North Stonington residents are reporting seeing animals state environmental officials have long claimed to be non-existent in Connecticut – mountain lions.
But about 15 residents in the town think otherwise and have reported seeing creatures they believe are mountain lions, according to North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas Mullane.
One sighting was about 10 weeks ago just after 8 a.m. on Route 2 between Route 184 and Interstate 95 near exit 92.
While the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has long said that there isn't a mountain lion population in the state, but in 2011 a confirmed mountain lion was killed on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Milford, according to DEEP's website. However, DNA evidence traced the animal's origin to South Dakota as opposed to being Connecticut-born.
DEEP officials could not be reached immediately for comment on the reported sightings.
Have you had any interesting wildlife sightings lately? Send your photos to shareit@nbcconnecticut.com.
