Possible Mountain Lions 'Just House Cats,' State Officials Say

Large cats that witnesses believe may be mountain lions are "just house cats," a spokesperson for the state said Monday evening

The cats were seen along the border of Winslow Township and Hammonton, Winslow Township Police said Monday morning.

A grainy photo and a grainy video of the cats have been submitted for review. The image is attached to this post.

On Monday morning, the township said it made the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife aware of the sightings.

Then, on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the state said the agency is not investigating the matter.

"We typically would want more hard information, such as tracks or scat, before investigating," spokesperson Larry Hajna said in an email Monday afternoon. "This could be a housecat walking across a log or in front of that building."

He added that the tail is shorter than a mountain lion's, but longer than a bobcat's. He said mountain lions have not been present in the state for more than a century.

By Monday evening, he said the agency had determined the cats were "just house cats."

“Mountain lions were indigenous at one time in this area but have not existed naturally here for many years," Winslow Township Police had said earlier in the day.

Whatever the animals are, police believe the cats are staying away from people, as no contact between people and the animals has yet been reported.

“At this time we don’t believe that the animals pose a threat to people but we suggest that everyone use sound judgement and reasonable precautions with their children, pets and themselves. We ask for everyone’s help to keep track of these animals by reporting any sightings or evidence they have.”

Sightings can be reported to Winslow Township Animal Control at 609-567-0700, ext 1500.