Resident Reports Mountain Lion Sighting
By Julie Perine on November 26, 2014
There have been many wildlife sightings in the Liberty Avenue area of Bridgeport. Running above and parallel to Grand Avenue and extending from Fifth Street to Third Street, the neighborhood is flocked by woods which ultimately extend to the Oral Lake area. Liberty Avenue resident Kerry Hess, also a member of Bridgeport VIPS and Emergency Services Council, has previously submitted video of black bear and fox, among other wildlife he has caught in action in his own backyard. Other neighbors have reported such sightings.
Today, a resident of Langtown Road – located in the vicinity between Liberty Avenue and the Oral Lake area – has reported the sighting of two mountain lions, which he say are headed toward Liberty Avenue.
Devin Bokey said he woke up to see and hear two mountain lions chasing after his cat in his front yard. Bokey, who happens to be an employee of the city’s parks and recreation department, recommends that residents bring their pets indoors.
A hunter, Bokey said he is sure the cats were mountain lions and not bobcats. They had long tails and their backs stood three to four feet tall at their highest point. Their cries were signature mountain lion, he said.
Residents of Brushy Fork and Briarwood areas say they have heard and/or seen mountain lions in the past. There have been informal conversation about such sightings, but none have been reported, according to Bridgeport Police Department. A call has been placed to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and our staff awaits response.
Stay tuned to Connect-Bridgeport for updates.
Editor's Note: Cover photo is a Google image of a mountain lion. The photo was not taken locally.
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I was very close to catching one in action a few weeks ago out on Brushy Fork Rd. I saw him strolling across and he darted over a bank when he saw me coming. It was a pretty open clearing and I jumped out and grabbed my camera but I couldn't get a good shot because he was flying.
Posted by Tyler Maxwell
Nov. 26, 2014 at 11:58 AM EST
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