Theeastern cougaris now formally extinct .
The prominent cat used to roam the wood , mountains , and grasslands in every res publica east of the Mississippi , but it has not been seen now for the last eight ten ( the Florida panther is a clear-cut population ) . Although the US Fish and Wildlife Service ( FWS ) opened up a review into the status of the mountain lion in 2011 , it was only in 2015 that Union wildlife biologists finally conclude there is no grounds of a viable universe will .
They recommended that the easterly mountain lion be taken off the Endangered Species Act , and this Monday they in conclusion escort that happen as the subspecies ( Puma concolor cougar)was declared out . They had been on the list since 1973 , although no one had seen any in the previous three decades . It ’s suppose the last one was probably shot by hunters in Maine in 1938 .
In the 80 years since the last confirmed sighting of an eastern painter , there have been some who say they have seen them . Butthe FWS notesthat these individuals are most probable escapee from zoos and secret collections or are western mountain lion expand their range eastwards . This is based on the fact that there is no scientific or forcible evidence to stick out populations still surviving .
The official declaration of the extinction of the Felis concolor might – paradoxically – be a good thing . It means that the nation that have been prevented for decades from reintroduce animals from the western population should now be allowed to do so .
“ We need large carnivore like painter to keep the tempestuous nutrient vane good for you , so we hope eastern and midwestern states will reintroduce them , ” order Michael Robinson , a preservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity , in astatement . “ panther would curb cervid overpopulation and check mark - tolerate diseases that jeopardize human wellness . ”
While the big khat has been persistently persecuted and hound for its perceive terror to multitude , farm animal , and pets , a better savvy of the role that magnanimous predators like the mountain lion dally in the wider ecosystem mean we are coming to realize the benefit they bestow .
concord toa late paper detailing these benefit , cougars are good for human wellness in more ways than one . Not only do they reduce the number of tick by toss off deer , but they also save lives by reducing deer - car collisions . In fact , if Felis concolor were reintroduce across the US , collision from cervid - car incident would likely be toss by 22 percent , keep 115 people and prevent over 21,000 accidents . This would carry through the economy an impressive $ 2.12 billion .
