Few animals are as shrouded in mystery as the large wild cat often called the cougar. They are also called "ghost cats" because few people ever see them where there is a known wild population. They keep out of sight and almost always avoid contact with humans. They are regarded as extremely solitary and secretive animals. But is one of these powerful and mysterious cats now being seen in Lubec and nearby areas?
     Lubec resident Chessie Gartmayer said in December that she saw crossing the Quoddy Farms Road in South Lubec "a cat as large as a German shepherd with a long tail, a tail almost as long as the huge body, hanging just off the ground and curving back up." Others have seen a large cat and reported this on a Lubec Facebook page. These sightings were by Rita Rahilly in 2018, Shanna Wheelock and Jody Grimes in 2017. Richard Mistler said he used a trail camera to photograph one in 2016.
     The Lubec area has had other reported sightings before 2016. Michael Jenkins was driving home at night and had to abruptly stop his car to avoid hitting a large cat crossing the road. He said it was light brown and had a long body and tail and was larger than any cat he had ever seen. When he arrived home, he calmly told his wife, "I just saw a puma." Sonia Bailey and other Lubec residents during the winter months of 2010‑2011 also said they saw a puma or cougar. One witness found large tracks in the snow from an animal leaping along and measured the distance between the tracks as 17 feet. In nearby Charlotte, Lyle and Arthur Furlong saw a very large dark-coated cat in 2011. Philip Farrell and two passengers from his car reported watching a very large long‑tailed cat crossing Route 1 in Pembroke.
     Puma, cougar, panther, catamount and mountain lion are all names for this animal, which is found from North America to the tip of South America. They can inhabit jungles, rain forests, deserts, prairies and forests from sea level to high elevations. They often roam large areas but can also adapt to using much smaller areas adjacent to cities and towns, even suburban backyards. One male has been studied for years living in Griffin Park of Los Angeles. They are solitary, and social tolerance of their kind is only exhibited by males and females during a brief breeding period. Then they separate, and the females alone take care of cubs.
     Coat colors vary from light tan to dark brown, reddish and grayish brown. Even black has been reported. Powerful legs move a slender and supple body. The ears are short and round on a small head. From nose to tip of tail, they can measure eight feet. The shoulder height is 26‑30 inches.      Males average 160 pounds and females 135 pounds.

Possible origin of animals explored
What could be the origin of the animals seen in places in Maine such as Lubec? This is a controversial topic with widespread disagreement. Mark McCollough, the endangered species specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at East Orland, stated during a program at the University of Maine at Farmington that there are three hypotheses for cougars seen in Maine: They come from a past population that was not completely wiped out; they could be migrants dispersing from known populations in the Midwest and Canada; or they are escapees or intentionally released animals from captive facilities and private pet owners.
     Bill Betty of Rhode Island and Nova Scotia has been researching and collecting reports of cougar sightings in New England and Canada for many years. He agrees that Canada and the western states, maybe even Florida, are likely sources of the animals. But he also believes some are the descendants of the eastern cougar, especially those sighted in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He does not agree that the eastern subspecies is extinct. In 2018 it was removed from the federal endangered species list with the statement there is no longer any viable breeding population in the Northeast.
     It could be possible that cougars seen in Maine are coming from Canada. The Department of Biological Sciences at Montreal University published a paper in 2003 about research done in eastern Canada. Thirty‑eight scent scratching posts were set up in national and provincial parks in Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. DNA analysis of some collected hair was positively identified as cougar in Quebec and New Brunswick. Maine borders Quebec and New Brunswick, and both provinces have declared they have cougar populations. There have been reports of cougar sightings in Maine near these bordering areas for years. Some hair was collected in New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy National Park in 2003. This park is about 70 miles from the border crossing in Calais, which is not far from Lubec. In 2011 two people reported to the Eastern Puma Research Network that they witnessed a cougar swimming across the St. Croix River near Fosterville, N.B.
     There are two classes of sightings used by scientists for credibility analysis of cougar sightings in Maine. Class 1 is DNA positive identification or a body or undeniable photos of an animal. Class 2 includes tracks verified by a qualified professional or a witness testimonial backed up by physical evidence such as a prey carcass, scat or microscopic hair recognition. A Cape Elizabeth sighting has been classified as Class 1 and a Monmouth sighting as Class 2 in Maine. Mark McCollough has said, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."
     It is difficult for all sightings to be labeled as credible. This should not stop any person from reporting any unusual animal sightings. A report should include the location, the date, name of witness, address, phone number and e-mail address. A brief description of the incident, distance from the animal, the time and length of the sighting, a description of the animal and the weather conditions should be included. If photographs of the animal or tracks were taken, they should be as clear as possible.
     Lubec resident Chessie Gartmayer says, "I have been greatly affected by my sighting." This is not an unusual reaction to seeing a large cat. Other people will confirm it leaves a vivid memory. Sometimes it creates quiet contemplation that a person will not share. Sometimes with a hushed tone or one laced with wonder the sighting story will be told. The unexpected sight of such a majestic cat is an unforgettable experience.