Reports of unusual sightings of big cats are not uncommon throughout the United States and Ohio. From celebrities like Uncle Si of Ducky Dynasty professing to have seen a large panther-like black cat to friends and neighbors quietly professing to have seen such a cat or its tracks in Ohio, it is certain that the Buckeye State is not excluded sightings of large cats in the wild. I recently checked in with a Wildlife Communication Specialist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife and I asked her what ODNR’s thoughts were on mountain lions residing in Ohio. Here’s ODNR’s official statement on cats in Ohio as of late-November 2014. “Last summer, an off-duty wildlife officer spotted what he believes to be a mountain lion in Jefferson County. Nothing ever came of it after his reported sighting. No photos snapped by local residents of the county pre- or post-sighting by the officer, no trail camera photos, no scat, no hair/fur, no tracks, etc. While we have a significant population of state-protected bobcats (which people sometimes confuse), there is no indication of wild cougars/mountain lions in Ohio.

It’s been 100 years or so since the last wild mountain lion was confirmed in the Buckeye State. We have received many unconfirmed reports of sightings over the years, but never anything concrete. Concrete data would include photos that can be confirmed as snapped in Ohio, scat, tracks, or the animal itself such as a road-kill. We have not received anything of the like thus far.Sphynx Cat For Sale Illinois Mountain lions are very stealthy and secretive animals, so they’re tough to track and locate. Guard Dogs For Sale LeedsThat being said, we can’t confirm wild mountain lions in Ohio until evidence supports such.”Husky Puppies For Sale $200 I was motivated to contact the ODNR because a Facebook page dedicated to Homesteaders in Morrow County recently suggested that local folks had spotted a large black cat and large cat footprints in a portion of the county.

There was much local debate on the subject with some folks believing a panther resides in our county, while others believe a large bobcat was simply mistakenly identified as a panther. About the same time that these rumors were surfacing, a loyal OCJ/OAN reader/listener left a comment on a black bear story on our website about their very own panther sighting in southern Ohio. They gave vivid details about their experience which follow: “I didn’t want to say this, but since you are trying to make so much about a little-old black bear siting… Of which over here in Adam’s County is no big thing. We have bigger fish to watch-out for… Or should I say cats? My wife and I, returning home in the early afternoon a few hours before sunset, spotted Uncle Si’s big Black Panther. We were driving down, south on St. Rt. 247, and just before we got to the little bridge and guard rails before Greenbriar Rd., there, coming across the road right in front of us, from the west side to the east, was the largest black cat I’ve ever seen.

It was larger than any I’ve seen in the many zoos we’ve been to. It was larger than all of those we’ve ever seen on all of the TV shows. Its tail was as long as it was, and together, they almost reached past being from the roads centerline to the berm. It didn’t bound, but ran in a fast, low run and didn’t jump or bound in any excessive motion until it went up the steep bank on the east side of the road. Even then it wasn’t excessive, but just one smooth, fluid motion as it disappeared into the brush. My wife and I have lived in the bush, homesteaded in, hunted and lived in, Alaska for ten years. We are familiar with a lot of common, wild animals. We’ve seen wolves and grizzly bears, moose, caribou and even wolverines, a few lynx, bobcats, beaver, coyotes and foxes, let alone deer and black bear and all of the other common small critters. This was a big, black cat that, we’ve come to know as a Black Panther. I suppose, now, you can put us down on your “Crazies” list too…”

So what do I think? I certainly don’t think any folks that claim to have seen a panther or mountain lion in Ohio are crazy, but I unfortunately haven’t been blessed with seeing one myself. I think there probably are some mountain lions in southern Ohio. I also think there are probably some living with darker coats than normal that can appear as black in certain lighting and look like panthers. Do I think there is a cougar in Morrow County? Well, no but I’d love to be proven wrong as long as we can keep our citizens and our livestock safe while supporting the existence of such a large cat in the county. Let’s keep an eye out through out the Buckeye state and be sure to send me photographic evidence of the cats you are seeing in the wilds of Ohio.Your browser (Internet Explorer 7 or lower) is out of date. Learn how to update your browser. The bobcat is a species that is native to Ohio, and one of seven feral cat species found in North America. Domestic cats belong to the same family, Felidae, as the bobcat.

Bobcats are very rarely seen in Ohio as they were extirpated from the state in 1850. Prior to settlement, they were common throughout Ohio. This cat has been sighted occasionally since 1850 and may be on the verge of returning "home" to Ohio; between 1970 and 2009 there have been 359 verified reports of bobcats in the state, 92 of these reports occurred in 2009.KotyKatz Bengals is small cattery centrally located within a 150 mile radius of Akron, Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, and Youngstown in Northeast Ohio. We are just as close to Erie and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Located just a short distance from both the Akron-Canton Airport, and the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, should you wish to fly in to pick up your new family member (as carry on only). If the looks of our Bengal kittens has caught your eye please feel free to contact me about adding one or more to your home. I will be happy to answer any questions you might have. We specialize in Brown Rosetted, Silver Rosetted, and Snow Rosetted kittens.

KotyKatz Bengals was established in 2000, after much research. As a breeder, I keep current on the standards of our Bengals through continuing research and by attending TICA and other cat shows. We still have a few of our original breeding Bengals laying around the house as spoiled pets. The oldest Bengal is the wonderful Jungala Bella Donna of KotyKatz, now 16 years of age. Her 5 generation pedigree is filled with many of the older, original Bengals created by the wonderful breed originators Jean Mill (Millwood) and Gene Ducote (Gogees). For me, these original Bengals are constant reminders of how far this breed as advanced over the years. It is absolutely AMAZING. KotyKatz is a current member of The International Cat Association (TICA) and other breed associations including The International Bengal Cat Society (TIBCS). Additionally, we belong to many of the Bengal breed specific groups on Facebook. Being active in these groups allows me to keep in touch with the Bengal breeding community, which is very helpful to the breed as a whole as we share our experiences and knowledge.

Although I love ALL cats, I had to pick just one to represent as a breeder. After researching many breeds, the decision to breed Bengal kittens was made and I haven’t looked back. I can’t imagine a more fun loving, interesting breed. I do not exaggerate when I say they make me laugh every day. Our Bengal kittens are raised in my home with lots of love and attention. As a kitten breeder, I strive to breed healthy, loving, and intelligent cats that will add to the enjoyment and quality of life of every person who has the honor of being owned by one of my Bengals. At about 12 weeks of age, kittens are ready to go to their new home. By this time, they are eating on their own and using the litter box. Prior to leaving, all of our kittens are spayed or neutered. In the best interest of the kittens, KotyKatz does not ship. Though our kittens are guaranteed healthy upon pickup, we do require that you have your new kitten checked by your veterinarian within 72 hours of arrival to their new home as part of the pet contract.