I do not believe reintroduction in northeastern states would be successful in the long run unless all states with significant wildlands participate. Trying to introduce cougar by creating a single “island” of breeders in one state would likely have poor long-term results. But if several islands in different states are created throughout the Northeast that have reasonable wildlife corridors connecting them, the long-term prospects would likely be better and healthier for a stable northeastern population as a whole. Any viable breeding population would likely be regional and need to cross state borders.
Dana Rohleder, Port Kent
Editor’s Note: This comment was in response to a blog post about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s announcement that eastern cougars are extinct and the possibility of reintroducing them to the Adirondacks and the Northeast.
