Reports of a mountain lion allegedly roaming free in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, turned out to be a case of mistaken identity, according to officials.
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Thomas Keller, a biologist working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, made a visit to Lower Macungie Township on Monday to examine a reported mountain lion sighting, complete with photos taken of the purported large feline.
Keller revealed that the photos were captured by a resident from her second-floor apartment window, approximately 90 yards away from the animal. Using measuring tools and cardboard models, he attempted to recreate the images.
"After comparing the cutout with the original photo," Keller informed the Allentown Morning Call, "it became evident that the creature in question was, in fact, a sizable stray domestic cat."
Keller employed cut-outs representing house cats, mountain lions, and bobcats, which are occasionally spotted in the region.
The biologist praised the resident for reporting the sighting.
"When we receive such reports," Keller explained to the Lehigh Valley News, "we usually investigate and engage with the person who made the report to gain insight into the photo's location. We analyze the original image and extract any available scale information.
"These cases are relatively common. While it might appear to be a mountain lion, we need accurate measurements to establish the true scale."
The Pennsylvania Game Commission stated that the last documented mountain lion in Pennsylvania was observed in Berks County in the 1870s.
