DNR takes teeth out of mountain lion report
PROVIDED
Jason Ellico posing with a dead mountain lion in northern Arizona.
Rumors of a mountain lion in Saluda County have spread so fast that on Monday the state wildlife department issued a statement saying it's all just an Internet hoax.
The bogus big cat alert says that a driver, "Wally Tiernan," hit the lion east of Greenwood, and a neighbor called the state Department of Natural Resources to put the severely injured creature down.
The DNR released a copy of the mountain lion e-mail that caused such a fuss and sparked dozens of calls and e-mails to the agency. The e-mail says in part, "A landowner believes this is the same lion he had seen a week earlier dragging a 320-pound steer out of the pasture. This lion weighed 260 pounds, while most mature male mountain lions weigh 80 to 150 pounds. We have seen evidence of their presence through tracks in the dirt but had no idea this big guy roamed around here!"
DNR public relations specialist Brett Witt said, "No officer or any other personnel from DNR in Region 3 (which covers Saluda) or any other region in South Carolina has received a call or dealt with any mountain lion."
A wild mountain lion or cougar has not been documented in South Carolina in many decades. The only possibility of such an animal would be an escaped "exotic" pet, according to the agency.
"The photo that was attached to the e-mail was also a giveaway," says DNR Furbearer Project supervisor Jay Butfiloski, "It appears to be taken in a taxidermy shop out West due to the types of animals mounted on the walls."
The story has been making the rounds in other states, too, including reports of a mountain lion in Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. The web site Snopes.com, which specializes in deflating Internet rumors, said the dead mountain lion photo circulating with the hoax was actually from northern Arizona where a truck driver hit a big cat late last year.
"As typically happens with Internet-circulated photos of killed or captured animals, the accompanying text was altered multiple times to place the mountain lion in a variety of locales," Snopes states.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@ postandcourier.com.
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Comments
hardatwork (anonymous) says...
Funny, maybe the lizard man from Leesville will be hit next, then we can all rest safely
June 24, 2008 at 5:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
You can never go wrong checking out things that are too good to be true at www.snopes.com. There is another website that one of my coworkers told me about, the name escapes me right now.
June 24, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Siri (anonymous) says...
I just love snopes.com. Another great site is ripoffreport.com If you ever want to check out a company before purchasing something try ripoffreport.com
June 24, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Thank you Siri, I think that's the one that I was told about.
June 24, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nesseca (anonymous) says...
This one's old. I saw it sometime last year. It's amazing how gullible some people are.
June 24, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
hey, hardatwork, trying to start another rumor? LOL
June 24, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
There's a lizard man in Leesville? I wonder if it's related to the one in Bishopville?
June 24, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
A few years back, the Moultrie News had a photo and story about an alligator swimming at Cape Romain with a deer in it's mouth. I went on snopes and found out that the incident actually took place in Georgia.
They didn't even bother to check out the validity of the story or picture before the article was released.
Early, you are right. There are panthers around here...or at least there used to be. My dad saw one while hunting in Awendaw one time, and when Wild Dunes was still relatively new, there was a panther getting into garbage cans.
June 24, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Right early. And a clown was riding him and he was followed by a kangaroo and a platypuss.
June 24, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I saw a couple of Pumas the other day. They were running across the street on a kid's feet.
June 24, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
Good Morning everyone. are we on to funny and wierd stories today
June 24, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
When is DNR going to do something about the Big Foot infestation?
At least it gives them something to do besides those "courtesy" boat inspections. If it's a courtesy can we say no thanks?
June 24, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...
I see dead people.
June 24, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Hi, granny. I got a feeling the stories will get weirder as the day goes on.
Everyone will have claimed to see something, so I can't tell anyone about my UFO sightings back in the 70's.
Even if I did see them through binoculars, and they WERE for real.
June 24, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
The boogeyman was my prom date. We rode in on a unicorn. Took pictures with my fairy princess girlfriends.
June 24, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
I see everyone thinks these sighting are a joke.
But on the real side, I did see two mountain cats ( they had not gotten big enough to be called Lions) in North Charleston back in 1997. Came out of the building and they were at the edge of the woods.
Now the day that I seen Big Foot on James Island, I had just left a softball game and had a few cold beers...And my camera for some reason did not work that day...
June 24, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
OMG 1959!!! My pictures didn't come out either. Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny told me Big Foot sends out a frequency that jams the camera from working.
Should I be concerned about the wild deer roaming through our neighborhood late at night?
June 24, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
All the local Pumas were abducted by aliens. Unfortunately this was covered up by the agency which operates the black stealth helicopters. Brittany Spears was the mastermind of the entire operation which was coordinated by Elvis at their underground bunker beneath the rehab center. Afterwards they were both seen at Walmart buying pet food. Elvis was pregnant. On there way back to the bunker, neither of them new there was an escaped mental patient with a chiansaw hidden in the back seat. He was waiting to collect celebrity meat to be ground into hamburger to be used at a major national chain of burger restaurants. Fortunately spiderman swooped in and saved the day, otherwise John Graham Altman might have gotten elected to the school board again.
June 24, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Tammie, stay away from those damn drugs!
I do believe your prom date could have been the boogeyman though. Some of those tux designs can turn a nice, scraggly boy into a real freak.
June 24, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
lmao @ WJHamilton!!
June 24, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol @ RTC!! I was under the influence of Wild Irish Rose that night...It's been almost 15 years since I've been to prom.
I'm waiting for either Early or Coldbeer to give an account of what happened. I need yet another good laugh.
June 24, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yeah_I_said_it (anonymous) says...
Ooh, (speaking with a severe lisp) scnative4ever is so angry!
Any way, I have the biggest myth of all....brace yourselves....
The government is actually looking out for the people's best
interest.
June 24, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Touchy, touchy scnative....I have smarted off to them right after they proceeded to harass me and they had to back down because they had no evidence to charge me with anything...after a simple courtesy inspection. Which by the way showed nothing was wrong with our vessel. Plenty of life jackets, fire extinguisher, flares...you name it, we got it...and more than necessary. As for those who don't have proper safety equipment I hope they continue to be busted.
I appreciate our law enforcement agents. I just want to see them observe the same courtesies they expect from us lowly citizens.
Actually, now that I think about it the DNR officer-ette could have been big foot in disguise.
June 24, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hardatwork (anonymous) says...
Hey RTC a man in Bowman captured a UFO he has it in his front yard. He will even let you look in it if you are nice to him.
June 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
For those that don't think there were panthers in South Carolina I can assure you there were many black panthers roaming Charleston streets a few decades ago. They're pretty much extinct now and go by diffent names like the NAACP! Seems the loss of their natural habitat of slum dwellings and abandon buildings have driven them to the brink.
June 24, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
ok you guys know we are not supposed to have fun with this we have to be very arumentive here or we may never get to post again btw i also so that object in the sky in the seventies. Also cougers were sen in my area Oh wait those were the high school football team sorry
June 24, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
hardatwork, they did have a picture in the paper about this guy's flying saucer didn't they?
I thought Bowman was only well known for The Lion's Den.
June 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yeah_I_said_it (anonymous) says...
Careful, RTC, you don't want to go there. That is the place that did the others in. Pull up before it's too late.
On another note, I have seen flying saucers. But that is mainly when I get pissed at my husband and start tossing them around the kitchen.
June 24, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol @ Granny
June 24, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
granny, there were alot of sightings back then. I really swear that we saw some type of revolving saucer-shaped object back then. I ran inside and got my parents, who brought out binoculars. We watched this thing hover for about 3 minutes right over our house. It had lights on the underside, and it was definitely nothing we had ever seen before. There was no sense in reporting it, as who would belive it. The next day there was an article in the paper where people had called in numerous sightings of a strange object in the sky. My mom swore that it was probably something that the Air Force knew about but wouldn't admit to having any knowledge of it's existence.
June 24, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hardatwork (anonymous) says...
RTC the lion's den and the UFO are on the same road, although the lion's den is near the interstate and the UFO is near 178
Just a note - the lion's den is interesting so maybe you should make it a full days outing
June 24, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
ColdBeer! Please finish the story!
June 24, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
RTC all joking aside my late husband and i seen it where the old calhun homes were we were visiting his siter at the time and they saw it as well really freaky and no i didnt do drugs at that time
..... STILL MISSING OUR WHOLE CREW...
June 24, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
LOL@CB. You should be a writer! Seriously...
hardatwork, I have no interest in The Lion's Den. Maybe it's more of a guy thing. We went to Bowman 6 yrs. ago where we purchased our Golden Retriever from a nice family living on the outskirts of town. Our son, who was 14 at the time, apparently noticed the establishment quite well. He informed me when he was 18 that he had made a late night trip with some friends to visit this fine establishment.
I guess you could call it one of the rites into manhood.
I call it, "scaring the heck out of mom."
June 24, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hardatwork (anonymous) says...
scnative4ever lighten up he is just having fun. DNR does a good job.
June 24, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol@ RTC, I've been there (Lions Den) a few times, it's not as bad as you think. I've seen more women there then men. Me and Granny are going to go there one weekend. Lol
Let me get back on topic or else I'll get a stern talking to. *rolls eyes* Whatever.
June 24, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Hey scnative....guess what.....I am not a man!!! And you, sir, are not a gentleman. I teach my children to respect authority. I also teach them to question authority when warranted. And how to be openminded enough to carry on a calm and rational discussion.
By the way, as a CCSD teacher, maybe I teach YOUR kid too!!!
As for the Cougar story I think it is great that a non-story has generated such creativity in everyone :)
June 24, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yeah_I_said_it (anonymous) says...
Mr. ColdBeer,
You sir, are hilarious!
June 24, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Tammie, I thought The Lion's Den was a zoo for big cats. :)
Another urban legend just shot down.
See I stayed on topic.
June 24, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
RTC, they have big snakes in there too..;-)
June 24, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Tammie, shame on you. Your'e corrupting that baby.
June 24, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Well there you go.....so if anyone post anything false from snopes and say that's where they got their facts from, I hope lizard man and Subzero find you and go mortal combat on your stupid tail.
June 24, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lol @ RTC, I haven't been in the "Zoo" since I got pregnant! I've been behaving...most of the time. *shrug*
June 24, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
ok now i am goin gto hae to change the nam of my web site it use to be lioness'd den now that you girls have a fixsation on the lions den oh and i do sometimes go by lioness LOL
all joking aside we have seen cayotes (spelling) in our area we have been blamig the cats for the killing of the rabbits but cats cant kill a full grown deer which we have seen the carcus of.
MEMBER OF THE CREW
June 24, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Posted by Girleygirl on June 24, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
Well there you go.....so if anyone post anything false from snopes and say that's where they got their facts from, I hope lizard man and Subzero find you and go mortal combat on your stupid tail.
Lmao! Hey Girley!
June 24, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
granny, I haven't heard of coyotes in SC, but they do have some in Tennessee, so it's not impossible.
I didn't believe that coyotes were as far east as TN until some friends in Maryville showed them to us. They come down out of the mountains at night and search for food. My friend won't go outside at night without her dog.
There's no telling what might show up on your doorstep next.
June 24, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Hey, Girley. I got some really good books from the library yesterday on human animals. You should have seen the looks I got from the librarian. I was sort of embarrassed, because I know she was thinking that I had to be a weirdo.
She had this tight smile on her face like maybe she'd just had an accident in her pants, so I just smiled right back and told her thank you.
June 24, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Hey Ladies!!
I seen coyotes on Johns Island too. I was at a friend house when I saw it jump on top of the BBQ grill push it open then grab the food and haul tail.
June 24, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
I myself haven tseen them but them it could be a pack of wild hunting dogs too you never know but legends do get started that way
June 24, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
LOL @ RTC- you should have said that you like to read these type of books after taking bipolar medicine and then watch her face. Then you should have started talking to her about anteaters and how fascinated you are. I wish I was a fly on the wall watching that exchange!
June 24, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
LOL Girley, I got the "Encyclopedia of Serial Killers" and "Predators, Pedophiles, Rapists, and other Sex Offenders". You reckon she had to go take a Valium after seeing those titles? I was all ready to tell her it was for a paper on forensic psychology if she had asked.
Just the look on her face..... my God, I barely got out the door before I burst out laughing. If I start seeing cops following me around then I'll know why.
June 24, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
has anyone been up north to see bigfoot
June 24, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
As for Hardatwork I think this is a public forum and everyone has a right to share his or her opinion in regards to anyone posts.
And scnative - btw I too am a native South Carolinian - what do I need to back up? DNR asked to do a courtesy inspection and when I did not produce a document fast enough for them they began questioning me relentlessly. When they continued to pursue the issue and said they could get the "police" involved that is when I questioned them as to what I had done wrong. Must not have been anything since I was given back my registration (which I finally found) and was free to go. End of story.
DNR then hopped on their magical unicorn dolphins and rode off into the sunset. ***Had to keep up with the topic of made up animal stories :)
June 24, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
I was going to mention the tempers in here but i will stick to the subject os the big kitty cats which i dearly love since i have a tattoo of a lion on my ankle thats how much I love big and small cats
June 24, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hardatwork (anonymous) says...
shoelaces I just wanted to stay litehearted. All I said was lighten up. I did not see any reason to get so angry.
June 24, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
RTC- I want that book for myself! I like to go on www.trutv.com and then the library. It's some interesting crazy folks out there! You should have said see you tomorrow and can you make sure that there is an extra copy of "how to make a bomb" and "how to dismember body parts" for check out tomorrow please. That lady would have taken a vacation day!
June 24, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
someone needs a chill pill
June 24, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Wow!! I went from a big man to a bimbo!! Does that make me part of the group, GRANNY??
Now resorting to name calling won't get you anywhere. I am not angry at all by scnative's posts. I have to keep coming back to the computer just to see how explosive he has gotten with each of my comments...it's rather addictive and quite entertaining.
It would be foolish for me to give you any personal information just as it would be foolish for you to expect me to do so. I am glad you are friends with such well respected law enforcement officers. I know a few too. Taught a few children of DNR officers.
I am done responding to you on this issue as you have obviously been pushed over the edge.
I have to go feed my push me pull you.....reference to Dr. Dolittle of old.
June 24, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Girley and RTC, do you two watch "Most Evil" on Investigation Discovery channel?
June 24, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
WelcomE TO THE CREW shoelaces but it has to go throgh allwomen before it is official she is our exluted leader
June 24, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yeah_I_said_it (anonymous) says...
shoelaces,
scnative4ever seems to be a very angry person who needs a daily dose of arguments in order to make his/her existence mean something to him/her. He/she just writes those posts to get a rise out of someone. I say ignore his ignorance and move on.
June 24, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
you are so right Yeah_I_said_it
June 24, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Thanks Granny. Where is allwomen? Was she booted after the posts about "sampl" on a license plate???? Or was it another string of posts? I lose track.
Funny Yeah I said it....and I thought I was the one getting a rise out of him/her :^) Some people feed off of anger. I just hope his law enforcement friends can help him find an anger management class before he has an aneurism!!
Crew out!
June 24, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
I like shoelaces. She's kewl. Lol
June 24, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yeah_I_said_it (anonymous) says...
shoelaces,
I believe that you did get a rise out of him. I can see the vein bulging in his temple as he decides what his comeback will be.
Another mythological/made up creature.....scnative4ever's brain! Sorry, I couldn't resist. Please, scnative, don't hurt 'em.
As far as "aw" goes, she misses the Crew as well, but her stubbornness will not allow her to come back after the whole suspension debacle.
June 24, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
YISI, I understand but please tell my baby mama her baby mama misses her. :-)
June 24, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MissPriss (anonymous) says...
Well the crew misses Allwoman. I know for a fact. :)
June 24, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
I watch Most Evil with my mouth wide open. They were talking about the drug wars in Florida and to my surprise a woman started the killing...well she was not killing any of her drug foes but spreading the hits. Once the hits started the drug woes in Miami was out of control. I watch every Ann Rule movie that was made for lifetime too. I watch to much truTV.
I have to watch Investigation though. WBut I will be on the look out for that one too!
June 24, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Girley, Most Evil and Deranged are two good shows on ID. I dont think I have seen that episode you're talking about but I have my granny watching ID. We love it.
June 24, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Yeah_I_said_it (anonymous) says...
LOL! Tammie, I will make sure she comes to the site and reads that.
June 24, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Hope to see AW back soon. Thanks for all the great posts today. It kept me busy...too busy on the computer. I need to get out more!!!
As for "native" oh well. I am done with the conversation anyway.
The news story was about a nonstory anyway. I think everyone had intelligent comments and witty stories. I like a little back and forth banter.
June 24, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Shoelace- I know your vin #
it's 777 93 11 SC...
I keep up with the rooster for the crew and will add Shoelace in it...Allwoman approval certified!
June 24, 2008 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
yeah for shoelace
June 24, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
It's good to belong :)
LOL on the vin #
June 24, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I want to know when those shows are aired, ladies.
With all of the reruns on now I need something new to watch.
June 24, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Well, Scnative was getting a little unnerving. Welcome to the crew shoelaces.
Tell allwoman -she rocks- we miss her.
And there was a story the other night about the "vampire beast of NC" on a cable channel. It turned out to be a cougar. The animal killings were taking place around the charlotte area.
June 25, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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