Posted on Feb 7, 2023
Have you seen a mountain lion in Missouri? Here's why sightings are up this year
646
14
4
7
7
0
The Missouri Department of Conservation believes that an increase in mountain lion sightings indicates a healthier environment.
Mountain lions are rare in Missouri, but sightings of the big cat are increasing. Conservationists believe this is a sign of a healthier environment in the region.
The big predator was wiped out in Missouri in 1927. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation confirms five to 10 sightings each year of mountain lions wandering into the area from western states.
But in the first month of 2023, there were four sightings. Most recently, a 150-pound male cat was hit by a vehicle in Franklin County.
There is no evidence of a breeding population and no plans to reestablish a population here, according to the Conservation Department, but that does not mean it might not happen in the future.
Mountain lions are rare in Missouri, but sightings of the big cat are increasing. Conservationists believe this is a sign of a healthier environment in the region.
The big predator was wiped out in Missouri in 1927. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation confirms five to 10 sightings each year of mountain lions wandering into the area from western states.
But in the first month of 2023, there were four sightings. Most recently, a 150-pound male cat was hit by a vehicle in Franklin County.
There is no evidence of a breeding population and no plans to reestablish a population here, according to the Conservation Department, but that does not mean it might not happen in the future.
Have you seen a mountain lion in Missouri? Here's why sightings are up this year
Posted from kcur.org
Conservation
Wildlife
Environment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
3
3
0
For the most part I'd rather not see one in the wild, but am glad the environment is improving to allow them to remain in the wild.
(3)
(0)
1
1
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Mountain lions are territorial. So, when young males get to a certain age, they are forced to move out of an area to find deer, the big cat’s primary food source.
“We have abundant deer herd populations here in Missouri, so conditions are definitely in a good spot for them to reestablish themselves naturally,” Bowersock said.
Ultimately, more mountain lions show conservationists are doing a good job at taking care of the landscape and conserving wildlife.
Bowersock said it is important to report any sightings directly to the conservation department. “The more places we can assess where there are sightings occurring, it could better prepare us for if we do eventually have an established population,” he said."
..."Mountain lions are territorial. So, when young males get to a certain age, they are forced to move out of an area to find deer, the big cat’s primary food source.
“We have abundant deer herd populations here in Missouri, so conditions are definitely in a good spot for them to reestablish themselves naturally,” Bowersock said.
Ultimately, more mountain lions show conservationists are doing a good job at taking care of the landscape and conserving wildlife.
Bowersock said it is important to report any sightings directly to the conservation department. “The more places we can assess where there are sightings occurring, it could better prepare us for if we do eventually have an established population,” he said."
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Panthers? Mountain Lions? Bobcats?: Dozens respond to reported sighting of Mississippi black...
In the first reported sighting to a newspaper since 2019, a Bogue Chitto man ignited a flame illuminating tales of black panthers across the state this week. While the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officially claims there has never been an official reported sighting, hundreds of people have chimed in to tell their […]
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google