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How to catch a cat in West Virginia, they hope.

dheffley
Officials Use Raw Chicken, Camera to Check Out Reports of African Lion in West Virginia Woods
Monday , October 29, 2007


LEWISBURG, W.Va. -

Using a video camera and raw chicken, state officials hope to learn whether the king of the jungle is prowling the woods of West Virginia.

Bow hunter Jim Shortridge believes he saw a full-grown, male African lion weighing between 250 and 300 pounds at the foot of Cold Knob Mountain earlier this month. The state Division of Natural Resources confirmed that at least one other person has reported seeing the lion.

Using a camera normally employed to catch people dumping trash illegally, the state Department of Environmental Protection has joined with Greenbrier County Animal Control Officer Robert McClung and exotic animal expert Jim Forga to see if they can substantiate the sightings.

Twenty pounds of raw chicken left on the site last week were devoured, but McClung said that doesn't prove the lion's existence.

"Anything could have eaten that," he said.

If officials do spot the lion on videotape, they may set a bear trap for the animal. If caught, it would be turned over to Forga, who runs Tiger Mountain Refuge in Rainelle, a shelter for exotic animals.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • GuvamintCheese
    Many in Pleasants county WV have reported Mountain Lions, but never African lions.
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  • Azhunter
    I read a different article on this, the bowhunter said that he observed it for around 30 -40 min., and that it had a mane. Sounds credible enough to pack some extra firepower if I was in the area[:0][}:)]
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  • LesWVa
    Have heard a story or two about a Lion while at our cabin in Greenbrier county. Somewhere around the Renick and Trout area.which I beleive is on the Eastern part of Cold Knob Mountain.

    I have ran into Officer McClung a time or two and he seems to be a good guy.
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  • SW 357Mag
    quote:Originally posted by LesWVa
    Have heard a story or two about a Lion while at our cabin in Greenbrier county. Somewhere around the Renick and Trout area.which I beleive is on the Eastern part of Cold Knob Mountain.

    I have ran into Officer McClung a time or two and he seems to be a good guy.





    Where at in Greenbrier? Our land is in Second Creek, just barely into Monroe Co.
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  • LOKO383
    quote:Originally posted by LesWVa
    Have heard a story or two about a Lion while at our cabin in Greenbrier county. Somewhere around the Renick and Trout area.which I beleive is on the Eastern part of Cold Knob Mountain.

    I have ran into Officer McClung a time or two and he seems to be a good guy.



    I lived and worked [US FOREST SERVICE]in Greenbrier co. for 12 yrs and have seen scratching posts on fallen timber that wasn't bobcat or blackbear..Cold Knob mountain is some rough country..I have deer hunted on that mountain several times..and seen some very large racks come from there,If a cougar/mnt lion existed anywhere in WVA, Cold Knob Mnt..would sustain one..african, doubtful..mnt lion with his/her winter fur most likely....Loko
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  • 11BravoCrunchie
    Wouldn't a game trail camera work better?
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  • LesWVa
    SW 357Mag
    We have a camp north of you Off of Rt92 near Neloa.
    I have hunted and fished near Second Creek a few times. And over at Moncave lake.

    Let me throw a name at ya. Bill Farley aka Big Buddy.
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    Zulu
    The camera that they are talking about records 24/7 has 4th generation / Gated Filmless technology.

    It being able to operate 24/7 day or night while giving a crystal clear image. They are no Game Camera on the market today that can touch it. It has been used many times in court to great success aiding in convictions of people who dump illegally here in the state. That is something that you do not want to get caught doing. For you not only have to either clean or pay to have cleaned up what you dumped. But you must clean up the entire area to DNR and EPA specs.
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  • dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by cartod
    Many in Pleasants county WV have reported Mountain Lions, but never African lions.


    He is just a lion searching for his roots. Don
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  • LOKO383
    Les,..where in Neola is your camp..I worked inmates from Anthony corr. center..everyday for years..ever hunted Middle Mnt.or Hightop mnt. areas..I'm sure you wet a line in Sherwood Lake and Meadow creek before huh?..ever dipped your toes in at Blue Bend.??..oh the memories..[:D][;)]..Loko
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  • LesWVa
    Loko
    Turn onto North Fork of Anthony Creek. And you will be within 500 yards of our camp.

    I wish that Ted Mack would build his store back.. My oldest loved that place when they were open..lol

    I have fished Sherwood lake twice. Never did no good and have not fished it since. Fished Anthony Creek and North Fork, Meadow Creek, Blue bend, Napps creek along with the Cherry, Williams, Cranberry, Greenbrier along with some other rivers in the general area. Plus Buffalo, Seneca, Summit and a few other lakes.
    ===============================================

    You know when and if they do catch the "lion" I bet they will find that it came from the Refuge in Rainelle. It cant be no more than 40 to 50 miles from where it has been spotted. If that far.
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  • select-fire
    quote:Originally posted by dcon12
    quote:Originally posted by cartod
    Many in Pleasants county WV have reported Mountain Lions, but never African lions.


    He is just a lion searching for his roots. Don


    Are they going to make another movie?[:(!]
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