June 12 is National Cougar Day—a time to celebrate one of North America’s most captivating wild cats and raise awareness about their conservation.
Cougars (Puma concolor) are known to be the cat of many names due to how vast their range stretches and the communities and cultures they are known by. Some of the most common names include mountain lion, puma, and catamount. This wildcat species is the most widespread wild cat in the Western Hemisphere, ranging from northwestern Canada to South America. Despite their wide range, these elusive predators face increasing threats from habitat fragmentation, poaching, and retaliatory killings.
As a keystone species, cougars are vital in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling herbivore populations. Without them, deer and other grazers would overwhelm their habitats, disrupting ecological balance and leading to long-term degradation of biodiversity.
While the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists cougars as a species of “Least Concern,” their populations are in decline—especially in regions like Florida, where the subspecies known as the Florida panther remains critically endangered. Ongoing conservation efforts are essential to protect this species and the ecosystems they support.
As widespread as cougars are, they are often misunderstood. Despite their size and strength, they are not classified as Big Cats. True Big Cats—lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars—belong to the Panthera genus and possess a specialized larynx that allows them to roar. Cougars, part of the Puma genus, lack the hyoid bone that produces this roar. Instead, they purr, making them the largest of the small cats.
At Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), we’re home to three incredible cougars: Marissa, Louisa, and Sasha.
- Marissa and Louisa, rescued during our 2016–2017 Colorado Project, were victims of the cub petting industry. Taken from their mother at just a few weeks old, they arrived at the Refuge as young cougar cubs. Today, they can be found lounging and purring in our self-guided Discovery Area, often full of personality and “chat.”
- Sasha, rescued in 2021, came from a very different background—she was kept as a pet in a Bronx apartment. Purchased as a kitten, her wild instincts quickly emerged, and her owner realized she was not suited to life indoors. At 11 months old, Sasha found her forever home at TCWR. She now enjoys her own space at Rescue Ridge, viewable on our Carnivore Caravan or Coffee with the Curator tours.
These modern residents join a legacy of iconic cougars who have called the Refuge home. The stories of Sasha, Marissa, Louisa, and many others are reminders of the importance of sanctuary and the powerful second chances TCWR provides.
This National Cougar Day, come celebrate these magnificent animals with us. Tour the Refuge, hear their stories, and learn how you can help ensure a future for cougars in the wild.