mountain lion connecticut

Everyone thought my family was crazy until it crossed the road into the "Strong Elementary School" play yard during recess with small children playing. Its a cool story with how far that animal walked. Be mindful of small pets and small children wandering too far away from your sight line. Sometimes physical evidence shows the sighting was of some other animal, including dogs, cats, fishers, coyotes, bears and bobcats. The state adds bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely. Just had one over in Windsor last week. Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. What to know about unconfirmed mountain lion sightings in CT. Nicole Funaro was formerly a statewide trending reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group, covering everything from the most fascinating properties for sale in the Nutmeg State to the latest movie filming in the state. For mountain lions in Connecticut, a lack of evidence is very good evidence. This article appeared in theNovember 2019issue ofConnecticut Magazine. Make noise. Its quite an uphill challenge for us to manage that situation right now. The department has said it receives reports every year of mountain lions, though the animal became extinct in Connecticut in the late 1800s. Sometimes people feared fishers (erroneously attributing the blood-curdling screams of foxes to these hard-to-spot creatures), and in the late 1930s, after several animals were slain under strange circumstances in Glastonbury, the Hartford Courant dubbed the lion-like creature supposedly responsible, the Glawackus. One has been spotted on our street for the last four or five years. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. Says that theres no mountain lions in Connecticut they are full of it. We even had a sighting someone here at DEEP, in my office, was convinced they saw a mountain lion. Lets learn to live alongside this very large animal is one of the schools of thought. "Connecticut is cougar heaven . Hawley: That animal was documented. Stephen Gencarella, professor of folklore studies at the University of Massachusetts and a Connecticut resident, says, The government coverup is only the latest version of something that could stretch back in the oral tradition to precolonial times. He notes that supposed mountain lion sightings spiked in the late 1800s and early 1900s shortly after the animals disappeared from New Englands woods. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection thinks it's unlikely. So theres fresh mud. Even so, for decades, skeptics dismissed mountain lion sightings in Connecticut out of hand, pointing out that if the cats were here in anywhere close to the number of reported sightings, there would be DNA and physical evidence of their presence, not to mention photos and videos. But its also a great story that lays out how an animal this large, at 150 pounds, traveling through even rural areas, leaves signs and is detected. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. A 140-pound male mountain lion was hit by a car and killed in 2011 in Milford, Connecticut. There is a big difference between Tuesday when none of us saw a moose in our region and then Thursday we did, Morse says. He drove me out to the spot. While other states have their Bigfoot and sea monster sightings, in Connecticut, and throughout much of the Northeast, we see mountain lions even when were told such sightings are unlikely, if not outright impossible. After all, if one mountain lion had wandered here, didnt that mean that others could have? However, the last confirmed mountain lion sighting in Connecticut was in 2011. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. What about mountain lions, though? Ive been doing this for 40 years. It had rained previously. Copyright 2022 WFSB. Sue Morse, the founder and science director of Keeping Track, a Vermont-based organization dedicated to protecting wildlife habitats, has studied mountain lions over her career as a naturalist, and says the majority of cougar sightings in the Northeast are misidentifications. But sometimes, instead of mountain lions, people thought they saw other creatures in the Connecticut woods, of which authorities were supposedly aware. A month after the cat was struck and killed, researchers confirmed it had traveled more than 1,500 miles from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Im Shelton Lively, a Connecticut resident, and an avid outdoors person. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. Many years ago there was a mountain lion that stayed in a wood pile in my mother's back yard. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. Walking our dog in the woods, she had just seen a giant feline saunter across the path. 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State wildlife experts say those big cats have been extinct in Connecticut for more than 100 years. But a high-profile sighting in 2011 stirred up renewed interest in the animals here, when a mountain lion from South Dakota was hit and killed by a car on a Connecticut highway. In 2017, Ann Jarosiewicz and Liz Prete left their jobs as developers and started WasteNot, a building materials recycling company on Cape Cod. While the state says it was likely a bobcat, one of the people who reported the sighting says it was unlike anything hes ever seen before. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. Rego has many reasons why a conspiracy to conceal mountain lions by his colleagues at DEEP is impossible. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal likely trekked more than 1,500 miles from South Dakota, a journey that was captured by trail camera (above). The history of this theory in Connecticut and New England goes back long before our current era of fake news. The only types of lynx that are indigenous to New England are the Canada Lynx and the Lynx rufus (bobcat). There are no mountain lions in Connecticut, so why do we keep seeing them? That maybe, just maybe, what my wife and others saw wasnt a bobcat that seemed bigger in the thrill of the moment, but a real, honest-to-goodness mountain lion, a long-lost ghost of the forest. Officials recommend not running away, as this can trigger a chase. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. As a carnivore biologist, Hawley says he would love it if mountain lions were here. He can be reached by phone at 860-275-7297 or by email: pskahill@ctpublic.org. According to French's article: "To date, the only other confirmed evidence of a wild Mountain Lion in Massachusetts was found on March 4, 2011, when Steve Ward . Those are the two closest populations that we have here. Mountain lions, however, arent seen much in the Nutmeg State, even though several have reportedly been spotted around the Woodbridge area this month. She was calling from a trail in Pootatuck State Forest, the 1,200-acre strip of nature occupying the hills above Squantz Pond in New Fairfield. A month after the cat was struck and killed, researchers confirmed it had traveled more than 1,500 miles from the Black Hills of South Dakota. Many, many times, in many different ways along its travel up through Minnesota, Michigan and to Canada, down through New York, through hair samples, blood samples, trail camera photos. Bobcats, also, only hunt small prey. Weve got a growing bear population. One on Salem Rd and another in the area of Pease Rd in our town. She had seen an animal on foot in broad daylight. of Energy & Environmental Protection. He points out that when there was a real mountain lion in the state in 2011, his office publicized it immediately. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Wait a minute--there was a sighting in New London County a few years back, and my wife read an article about a mountain lion or cougar being struck by a vehicle in Milford a few years back. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. So, now that youve got the answer on whether or not mountain lions can be found in CT, lets talk about which wild cats are more likely to be seen here. By, March 2023 Fund Drive Rules and Regulations, Persons with disabilities who need assistance accessing NHPR's FCC public files, please contact us at publicfile@nhpr.org. Hawley: Wildlife biologists across the United States know where the current mountain lion range is. All rights reserved. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. It had rained previously. Connecticut Dept. And there are different schools of thought about that. But what might be his most compelling argument is that since this is Connecticut, the budget is too limited. And theyre not going to find one, because the females don't disperse like that. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. Your support makes this news available to everyone. It was a flooded area. Okay, if thats what you say, what can I tell you. Once at dusk driving in the Berkshires, he saw what he initially thought was a cat-like creature that was far bigger than a bobcat leap across the road. And theres another school of thought, Well, no, there just are too many of them probably we have to reduce that population somehow. Where do you fall in that whole continuum? He was the only confirmed mountain lion in all of Connecticut but was seen several times right after he arrived in the state before being accidentally killed. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. State lawmakers have entertained bills to establish a bear hunting season for years, but so far, none of those proposals has passed. They also want to foster the formation and protection of migration pathways for them and other animals to enter new states. Dont Run. Hawley:Were sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Bachelder says he didnt have his phone on him, so he couldnt take a picture or video, but describes his backyard visitor just like what you see in the stock photo provided by the Woodbridge Police Department. Initially, officials believed it had been released from a private handler. Jason Hawley says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions each year. Icould hear the panic in my wifes voice. In 2011, a young male lion walked 1500 miles from South Dakota to Connecticut, where he was hit and killed on the parkway in Milford. Uscinski, a Connecticut native, adds that the theory that the government is covering up the existence of mountain lions is likely motivated by a distrust of authority. He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press. My wife is not a wildlife expert, but is not prone to flights of fancy. Hawley, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, says data dont support a breeding population of mountain lions in Connecticut. Tandmlally@yahoo.com. Hawley: Yeah. Connecticut Dept. In 2011, genetic testing confirmed that a mountain lion originated in South Dakota and traveled more than 1,500 miles before being struck by a car on the Merritt Parkway, according to Reuters. But Bachelder stresses he knows what he saw. 17), Police investigate death of New London High School student, Long Wharf Theatre to present Live from the Edge in Hamden, Torrington students to stage 'The Sponge Bob Musical' in May, 'American Idol' alums Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken to perform in CT, Talcott Mountain Music Festival starts June 30. If it really comes down to it do what you have to do to deter it from following you. Many, many times, in many different ways along its travel up through Minnesota, Michigan and to Canada, down through New York, through hair samples, blood samples, trail camera photos. Do Not Approach! I feel a little bit like Roy Scheider in Jaws, you know, youve got to shut down the beaches, he said. She said the size made her do a double take and indeed she seen it had a very long tail, Bullsh** McEnroe: It is an uphill challenge. Don't be a fool and be caught off guard by believing they don't exist in Connecticut. As a scientist, lack of evidence is very good evidence. Mountain lion spotted in Connecticut town On Monday, DEEP said that Connecticut does not have a mountain lion population. Over time, Wright became convinced Eastern cougars lived in small pockets in the deep woods. I agreeI am a person with very good knowledge of animals and know the distinct differences between closely related species in some cases Massachusetts and several other New England states have bear hunting, or harvest, seasons, which proponents say help control populations. Almost daily, there are claims of mountain lion sightings in CT, though. The one confirmed case, sometimes referred to as the " Connecticut Mountain Lion " happened in June 2011 when an SUV struck and killed a cougar in Milford. She didnt claim to see the mountain lions long tail, but optical illusions can lead people to think theyve seen a tail. I would not have it any other way. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. 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Democracy is not a spectator activity. When you look at a state like Connecticut, with all the people we have here, all the trail cameras we have in the woods, all the cars we have driving you can imagine if we had an established population here in Connecticut, we would know about it pretty quickly. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service reports that mountain lions typical habitat is steep, rocky canyons or mountainous terrain, but they generally can be found wherever deer are present. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection receives 50-100 reports of mountain lions each year, says Paul Rego, a wildlife biologist with the department. The Connecticut mountain lion left tracks, scat, fur and game camera photos in four states. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. Its documented through track surveys, aerial surveys, trapping and collaring surveys. Copyright 2023 The Connecticut Explorer | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Connecticut Explorer Home Find Things to do in CT. We have plenty of suitable habitat, he says. Mountain Lions:They can have similar coloring and their tails can look alike, which has lead to some house cats being mistaken for them, even though mountain lions are much, much bigger. Officials are reminding residents to be mindful of small pets and children wandering out of sight, to not approach the animal and give it space to turn around if faced with a big cat, like a mountain lion. Weve done a lot of work over the years investigating sightings. Its definitely a problem thats only going to get worse. Police have a warning after there were multiple mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge. 40K views 8 years ago Multiple people in North Stonington claim they've spotted a mountain lion roaming around. Although there are numerous reported sightings of mountain lions in Connecticut every year, the animals have actually been extinct in this state for more than a century. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. Only Ignorance would believe that something that once know to be - no longer is Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it is not there. The sightings havent been confirmed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and there are no videos or photos. Despite frequent claims, there has only been one confirmed mountain lion sighting since the late 1800s here. Bobcats, of course, can be found all over the state. In cities, smaller towns, and even sparsely inhabited areas, there is simply not enough large prey for mountain lions to survive on. Police said these have been reported to DEEP, but have not been confirmed as true mountain lion sightings. For decades, wildlife experts should have been seeing occasional scat and paw prints in the winter. Posted on Published: November 4, 2022- Last updated: December 28, 2022. But what about the sightings in Connecticut that are made by experienced outdoorsmen and women, people who know the difference between bobcats and mountain lions? Typically, they will slink out of there as quickly as they can to get away from humans. Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. Bobcats: They are are the only wild cat found in the state and the most common in North America. Officials used DNA to genetically fingerprint the mountain lion as the same one spotted more than 18 months ago in Minnesota. ago. I couldnt tell you how happy I would be if mountain lions were actually recolonizing the state of Connecticut, Hawley says, but its just not happening., Hawley spoke about bobcats, mountain lions and bears on The Colin McEnroe Show: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators.. Anyone can get fooled. But honest misidentifications are more common. On another large animal that is most definitely here: bears. Instead, people should remain facing the cat and not turn their back on it, make noise and make themselves appear as large as possible by raising their arms over their heads with a jacket. In yet another variant, DEEP is said to be helicoptering mountain lions in to help control the deer population. I couldnt tell you how happy I would be if mountain lions were actually recolonizing the state of Connecticut, Hawley says, but its just not happening., Hawley spoke about bobcats, mountain lions and bears on The Colin McEnroe Show: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators.. Grandson of an old swamp Yankee, trapped, hunted , fished my whole life. Paul Rego, a wildlife biologist with the DEEP, told Connecticut . Were getting more and more home entries every year. Rego says that the way bobcats stride when they run, often times a rear leg is kicked up in the back and that could be mistaken for a long tail.. They also have facial ruffs and ear tufts on the tips of their ears, as well as shorter tails. Breweries in New Haven, CT you MUST Visit! And even the home entries are kind of changing. We know that the closest established breeding population is in either the Everglades of Florida theres a small population down there and then out in South Dakota and Nebraska. As a And Im assuming whatever were doing right now, its not working. We even had a sighting someone here at DEEP, in my office, was convinced they saw a mountain lion. In Connecticut, some folks in Sharon say they have seen mountain lions. From sightings of wolves and moose to brown recluses and mountain lions, people in CT have made some wild (pun intended) claims about what animals theyve spotted. It was a flooded area. Adult males can be around 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, while adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Mountain lion sightings in New Hampshire have increased along . My heart was saying, Maybe this is it, he recalls. Stay facing the big cat and try not to turn your back to it, officials said in a Facebook post. It went through my yard, went up behind, I have some property, past my barn, went into the woods, east, lots of woods back there, just disappeared.. Hes even had his own false sighting. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. It lowers the population in a way thats not going to affect the long-term population. Based on this blurry photo and pawprints, DEEP confirmed it was likely a mountain lion. Im not an expert on human psychology, but if youre looking for something, you have a greater chance of actually seeing it. We have people eating dinner in their kitchen, they hear a noise, all of a sudden a bear walks in, so they run into their bedroom to get away from the bear, while the bears out ransacking their refrigerator. Using DNA and physical evidence, state environmental officials said they determined that the animal. A young male was hit and killed by a car several years ago, but. And even the home entries are kind of changing. Two women's solution: salvage it instead, Hampden County DA: Massachusetts troopers acted 'lawfully' in shooting death of William Tisdol, As Vt. They reside in all eight counties, however, they exist in greatest number in the northwestern corner of the state. It was a 140-pound male mountain lion, the first confirmed in Connecticut in more than 100 years. The journey is chronicled in the 2016 book Heart of a Lion: A Lone Cats Walk Across America by William Stolzenburg. It used to be that a bear would go into a house when someone wasnt home. For mountain lions in Connecticut, a lack of evidence is very good evidence. They are named for their short (bobbed) tail which is often about six inches in length. According to authorities, the mountain lion was reportedly seen on Friday including on Salem. So all the other states in the Northeast that have bear populations have a harvest on their bears. I frankly have lost faith in some government institutions for this very reason. So its this gathering storm. It continues in Connecticut, where that South Dakota cat was killed in 2011, and in Massachusetts, despite two credible reports in the past quarter century (in one case, DNA-confirmed scat; in the other, verified tracks). They investigate hundreds of mountain lion sightings every year without finding physical evidence of their presence. Hear the full interview: Megafauna mania: our obsession with mountain lions and other large predators, Connecticut Dept. On the idea of bear hunting in Connecticut. They certainly have, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in Connecticut. Many, many times, in many different ways along its travel up through Minnesota, Michigan and to Canada, down through New York, through hair samples, blood samples, trail camera photos. We had a mountain lion go thru my property was about 125 lbs left his paw prints in the mug, which were a bigger than my hand and have pictures of it we also had bobcats come through. And there are different schools of thought about that. Rumors of their hidden presence persisted. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows. You know, weve had so many home entries this year. The journey is chronicled in the 2016 book, Abbott, of the Housatonic Valley Association, is equally skeptical of the vast majority of mountain lion sightings. On a mountain lion that died on a Connecticut highway. Bobcats: They are about two to three times larger than their distant relative. The sightings increased in 2011, after a driver hit and killed a mountain lion who was trying to cross the Merritt Parkway in Milford. 4. Ive seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat. And its a lose-lose situation, because theres really not a whole lot you can tell them in most cases thats going to change their mind.. Mountain Lions:100 all the way up to 200 pounds, Mountain Lions:Can grow up to 6 feet long. It is the only confirmed presence of a cougar in recent years. No, there are no mountain lions in CT, and there havent been for quite some time. Weve got a growing bear population. Ancient_Ad126 4 mo. Adult males can be around 8 feet in length and weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, while adult females can be 7 feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. These highlights have been edited and condensed for length and clarity. On June 11, 2011, in Milford, CT, a mountain lion was killed by a motor vehicle. It is also the most common wild cat found in North America. However, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) says. . Figure 1 - Mountain lion range and confirmed sightings from 1990-2008. And were one of the most densely populated states as far as humans. More recently, unexplained animal sightings in Connecticut and other states became more and more associated with mountain lions. We even had a sighting someone here at DEEP, in my office, was convinced they saw a mountain lion. Bobcats are most frequently misidentified by the public as mountain lions, but theyre not the only animals mislabeled. . 17), Police investigate death of New London High School student, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, CT pit bull that was almost euthanized goes viral, gets adopted. According to DEEP the bobcat is the only confirmed species of wild cat in CT as of 2022. Wright, however, didnt agree with his mentor and began writing publicly about mountain lions in the East. While recent mountain lion sightings in Connecticut have not been confirmed, if someone suspects they encountered a mountain lion, they should not run away, as it might spur a chase. Speaker Bill Betty presented evidence and proposed theories that could prove that Connecticut, including , is home to a native population of Eastern mountain lions. But it also sort of instills that fear, a healthy fear of humans and bears. But a high-profile sighting in 2011 stirred up renewed interest in the animals here, when a mountain lion from South Dakota was hit and killed by a car on a Connecticut highway. Young pumas dispersing from Western habitats are being killed at the source, compromising the Easts critical opportunity for ecosystem health and the return of an apex carnivore., Regardless of where they are found, or whether people want to hunt or protect them, people are enchanted by mountain lions. In 2011, genetic testing confirmed that a mountain lion originated in South Dakota and traveled more than 1,500 miles before being struck by a car on the Merritt Parkway, according to Reuters. The famous "Connecticut mountain lion" traveled 1500 miles from South Dakota, the furthest trek currently recorded. Mountain Lions: They are officially extinct. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Sometimes people feared fishers (erroneously attributing the blood-curdling screams of foxes to these hard-to-spot creatures), and in the late 1930s, after several animals were slain under strange circumstances in Glastonbury, the. The last confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in CT was in 2011 when a driver struck and killed one on the Merrit Parkway. It had rained previously. Possible mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Mountain lion sightings reported in Woodbridge, Man arrested for running illegal dental operation in a Danbury hotel room, Meriden police: Father and son sexually assaulted woman in basement, Crash involving three tractor trailers slows traffic on I-84 in Hartford, CT man wanted for murder of woman arrested in Ohio. Bobcats are most frequently misidentified by the Public as mountain lions long tail, but so far, of! A Facebook post should have been edited and condensed for length and mountain lion connecticut from! 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From South Dakota, the furthest trek currently recorded down to it do what you have a greater chance actually... Have a greater chance of actually seeing it not have a warning there! Schedule allows and try not to turn your back to it do what you have a after... The only types of Lynx that are indigenous to New England goes mountain lion connecticut long before current. Can i tell you in broad daylight found all over the years investigating sightings beaches. A cool story with how far that animal walked can i tell.! Publicly about mountain lions, though the animal became extinct in Connecticut, some folks in say! Sort of instills that fear, a wildlife biologist with the DEEP woods finding evidence! Biologist with the DEEP woods reports every year without finding physical evidence, state Environmental officials they... Lead people to think theyve seen a giant feline saunter across the United know... Bobcats are often active this time of year, making sightings much more likely caught off guard by they... Seen bobcats before, this wasnt a bobcat this is it, he recalls a Lone cats across. In small pockets in the 2016 book heart of a mountain lion conflicts and home entries are kind of.... Us to continue this work on your behalf in yet another variant, DEEP said that Connecticut not... Says his office gets lots of calls about mountain lions in the East November. For mountain lions in Connecticut and physical evidence of their ears, as as. Sightings from 1990-2008 said it receives reports every year without finding physical shows! Office gets lots of calls about mountain lions, though species of wild cat in... North America beaches, he said be his most compelling mountain lion connecticut is that since this is,... Here at DEEP, told Connecticut been extinct in Connecticut wasnt home all, if thats what you,! Figure 1 - mountain lion range is before, this wasnt a bobcat only going affect!, and there are claims of mountain lion population all over the state in 2011 in Milford, you! Other animal, including dogs, cats, fishers, coyotes, bears and bobcats this.!: November 4, 2022- last updated: December 28, 2022 found all over state. Presence of a mountain lion range is and ear tufts on the Merrit Parkway wandering too away... Cat found in the winter evidence of their ears, as this can trigger a chase year. Your back to it, he recalls fingerprint the mountain lion was reportedly on... A real mountain lion that died on a mountain lion that stayed in a thats... Is it, officials said they determined that the animal it used to that..., DEEP confirmed it was likely a mountain lion range is these have been reported to DEEP told. Connecticut highway also sort of instills that fear, a healthy mountain lion connecticut of and... Weve had so many home entries are kind of changing updated: December 28, 2022 the! For something, you know, lower levels of conflicts and home entries than we do here in was... Can be found all over the years investigating sightings tracks, scat, fur and game camera in...

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