Wildlife conservationists will welcome the news that mountain lions
(Puma concolor) are returning to their former range in the midwestern United States. A research paper in the June issue of
Journal of Wildlife Management says that cougars have been seen in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and several other states and Canadian provinces. Cougars were exterminated in these agricultural states and have not lived in the midwest since the beginning of the 20th century. However, since states lifted the bounties on pumas and recategorized them as a managed species their numbers have slowly increased. Natural solitary behavior makes most young males seek new territories causing their kind to disperse into former habitat. The study, sponsored by the University of Minnesota, examined 178 sightings from 1990 to 2008. The number of confirmed sightings increased steadily each year from two cats to 34. Researchers estimate there are about 30,000 cougars in North America. Whether the return of the lion will be tolerated by fearful humans not used to living in proximity to a feline predator the size of a large dog remains to be seen. Public education campaigns should help humans avoid unpleasant encounters with the
ghost cat.
