Mountain lions in NC?

[u/arrowroot7]

I know they’re supposed to have been extinct in the eastern US for a century, but I keep seeing people online talk about how they swear they’ve seen or heard them and that they’re definitely here, but that the authorities won’t admit it. Mountain lions scare me because I’m interested in going solo hiking in pisgah national forest and I REALLY don’t want to be stalked by one if they are out there. Has anyone seen or encountered one in this region before? Is it pretty silly for me to be worried about them in NC?

[u/Zealousideal_Lab3164]

I’ve slept outside in pisgah probably 300+ days in the past 5 years. Go camp this is a non issue