Matunuck Cat Sighting Reviewed, DEM Changes Original Position

After taking a position that refuted eyewitness accounts of a large cat sighting in Matunuck, state officials have concluded that there is a very real possibility that residents may have seen a mountain lion last month.

The Rhode Island Department of Management (DEM) completed its Incident Report of the alleged large cat sighting that took place in Matunuck earlier this year on April 9. Initially, DEM officials stated they found no evidence of a mountain lion, attributing the deer carcass found to a coyote or bobcat and leaving witnesses to make their own arguments. Their accounts  in an on-scene walk-through provided to this reporter by witnesses three days after the sightings, also featured in this article.

With the report now complete, officials acknowledge the evidence provided as "convincing."

"I believe it was a big cat," wrote the investigating Environmental Police Officer (EPO) in the DEM Incident Report. "It is possible it was a mountain lion with four eyewitness[es]... giving statements to us describing a mountain lion more than a bobcat."

“The report is subsequent of the initial notification,” said RI DEM Deputy Chief of Enforcement Kurt Blanchard. “Research done by the officer was thorough and extensive, but we’re not completely convinced we have mountain lion running around. We also think about this as to what would we have normally in an environmental setting.” Blanchard explained that biologically, while there are mountain lions in other parts of the country, it would not be expected to find one in Rhode Island. Keeping that in mind, evidence and witness reports are consistent with that of cougar or mountain lion activity, but could also indicate activity of other wildlife DEM is aware of and tracks like bears.

"It certainly was an unusual event," Chief of RIDEM Division of Enforcement Steven H. Hall wrote in an e-mail, "but before we would make a determination one way or another, we would require concrete proof.  As [Blanchard] said, it could have been a black bear, or it might have been a cougar.  If it were the latter, it would be someone’s escaped/released pet as cougars do not naturally occur in this area."

Among the most significant of findings were details of the deer drag mark, noted by the EPO in the report. The deer carcass was found on private property near the drag covered in leaf litter.

“I saw the deer drag which looked like many deer drags I have seen before however this one had scuff marks which could be seen approximately four inches to the right of the drag. The scuff marks ran parallel with the drag in the pea stone driveway for approximately twenty feet until it left the driveway,” read the report.

The deer was found to be about 100 pounds in weight, according to the report. This finding is significant because a smaller and weaker animal would not be able to drag a deer for such a distance by its side and create the markings seen in the driveway. A smaller animal would have to move backwards while dragging such weight, covering up its tracks. No hair was worn off of the deer’s front shoulders, indicating the shoulders, neck, and head must have been lifted as it was being dragged.

Scat samples were also collected on scene but have not been tested, according to DEM officials. 

“One print was left right beside the deer which appears to be consistent with a big cat and not a coyote or bear,” the report detailed. “It had four front toe pads with no claws showing.”

“There’s nothing to say that it’s absolutely a mountain lion,” said Blanchard. “Based on reports and research there are definite similarities. [DEM] receive[s] 2-3 complaints of big cat sightings a year but they’re not confirmed. This situation is unique.” 

The investigating officer explained in his report how this case was different than many other cases he had previously seen. Most importantly are the consistent reports provided by six eyewitnesses who “all clearly describe the same solid tan big cat at least five to six feet in total length. They all saw it within a 500 yard circle and better yet a 500 yard direct line…" 

Further convincing were precise descriptions of the animal’s size provided by witnesses using contextual references as benchmarks for comparison. Accounts were provided to this reporter by two witnesses, in which they compared the size of the animal to the roadway as observed when it crossed the road. Subsequent measurements demonstrated their estimations to be within a few inches of each other. In reference to witness Chip Longo’s description, the report states “A bobcat could not stretch the entire lane of one side of a roadway like the cat they saw did. We often don’t have the luxury of being able to measure wildlife stretched out over a roadway like the bike riders did.”

As Blanchard stated, from reading the report it is clear the investigating officer performed thorough research. According to his statement, he was not satisfied with the determination by a DEM wildlife biologist that the deer in question was a road kill deer. “I felt no explanation was given about how the deer was dragged and by what animal,” he wrote. "The deer did not have any broken legs as often occur when they are hit by vehicles… I checked the DEM calls as well as the South Kingstown PD calls for any reported road kill deer on the night of April 8 and the day of April 9 in the area the dead deer was found but no one reported hitting a deer on those days.”

“I knew about some of these things through [another involved party] previously so its not a surprise to me,” said witness Karen Stackow, “but when they were saying it was a road kill deer I laughed out loud and was amazed at how ridiculous that was.”

After his police log research, the reporting officer returned with another EPO to the site where the deer had been disposed of to recover and re-examine the carcass via a partial dissection of the neck. This examination revealed multiple puncture holes in the deer’s neck, presumably from teeth.

While the possibility exists that a bear might be the culprit for the activity, as bears also will occasionally cover up a kill, the reporting officer states his belief that the sightings were of a large cat. The final sentence in his report reads, “This is the first time I believe we have had these set of circumstances.” 

“That’s not to say that somebody may not have had one illegally, purchased it illegally and brought it here, and somehow it escaped,” said Blanchard. “Obviously there is opportunity for these things to happen.” Blanchard referenced an incident in New York City where a 350-pound Bengal Tiger was found in an apartment building. A New York Times article also chronicles the 2003 event. 

Blanchard’s statements echo those by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in its March 2, 2011 press release declaring the eastern cougar extinct. According to the release, reports of cougars observed in the wild in the east often describe South American subspecies, and others from the western United States.

Without any hard evidence however, DEM officials cannot confirm the sighting. “What I can confirm is we had that incident,” Blanchard said. “There were similarities to mountain lion activity, we do have sightings of a large cat-like animal, but since that time we have not had any reports. We encourage people if they have any kind of sightings of wild animals out of the ordinary to please notify our agency, we follow up on these things.”

In an article published four days after the Matunuck sighting, witnesses were clear on their position that their encounters did not instill any fear in them whatsoever, and they do not perceive their sighting as a threat to their well-being. Now, they appreciate the DEM’s acknowledgement of their testimony, although ideally they'd prefer greater corroboration.

“It feels good and I feel a little bit better that I can identify a mountain lion with them coming out and saying it’s possible,” said witness Chip Longo in a follow-up interview. “It’s good that the report is released and extensive, and there were enough people to see it to say that we might have a mountain lion here in Rhode Island.”

In response to the widely stated possibility that the animal he saw was once a pet like the Bengal Tiger in New York, Longo acknowledged, “It’s very plausible with people having pets they do these days. What struck me was hearing Karen describe how many deer she’s seen at the Trustom Pond Wildlife Refuge. Being a biologist for URI, it’s interesting because if we do have this large population of deer in Rhode Island, that it makes it plausible that these cats would move in as far as the ecosystem goes. It’s plausible it could be migratory and it’s just a wanderer that’s come far along its path here to RI.”

“I understand they have protocol and need to fulfill certain requirements,” said Stackow. “I understand and can agree with that. I know that they took the deer carcass away [for examination] so that to me would be proof by common sense, but their protocol is gauged by other means.” Stackow remains fearless after her sighting, and directed those who might feel otherwise to use the opportunity to learn about mountain lions and human encounters with them. 

“If people aren’t aware or willing [to learn], then they’re afraid,” she said. “Research yourself how they operate so you can have the confidence to live with them and not be fearful.” 

Blanchard explained that if residents should have another encounter, to treat it no differently than one should any other wild animal by keeping distance, being aware of its presence, and informing the proper authorities for an appropriate response.

“I’d say the same thing if it was a mountain lion, a bobcat, a bear, or a raccoon in your backyard. You’ve got to respect wildlife,” Blanchard said.

“Living in New England all my life...” said Longo, “to have the opportunity to have one walk across my path, I’m going to take it to the grave with me. It’s a unique sighting.”

To report a wildlife sighting to the RI DEM, notify the Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 789-0281, or the Division of Enforcement at (401) 222-3070.

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