Legends and tall tales abound about mountain lions. But stories about this elusive animal aren’t history. These days, photos and stories of cougar attacks go viral. It caused some tension with felines, and understandably so. However, there are not as many cougars living in America as these stories suggest. Not all states have mountain lion populations, which begs the question – are there mountain lions in Kentucky?
Below we briefly cover the basics of cougars and where they live. Then we answer questions. You’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about Kentucky mountain lions.
Mountain Lion Basics
One of the largest animals in the Western Hemisphere is the mountain lion (cougar). It has many common names, including panther, puma, catamount, and cougar. This impressive carnivore is a member of the cat family (Felidae).
Mountain lion fur is primarily tan or other light browns. However, some have been found with reddish-orange fur. However, the chest and underbelly are white, and black adorns the ears, nose, eyes and the tip of the tail.
The largest cats in North America range in weight from 80 to 225 pounds and can reach lengths of up to 9 feet. But adult male cougars are significantly larger than adult females. They average 140 lbs, while women average 80-90 lbs.
Cougars are solitary animals. Their territories only overlap during mating season and when the females are raising their young.
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Where do cougars live around the world?
Cougars have a wide range of tastes in habitat. They were just as happy at sea level as at 10,000 feet above sea level. Historically, they have lived in forests, wetlands, mountains and deserts. They are the most widely distributed of mammals throughout the Western Hemisphere. Cougars roam from as far south as Chile to as far north as the Yukon.
This impressive animal cares more about its food supply than its particular environment. Cougars, however, look for areas with ample places to hide when stalking prey. So they prefer habitats with cliffs, rocky outcrops, or dense foliage.
Once upon a time, cougars were all over America. However, habitat loss and aggressive hunting have drastically reduced cat populations. Today, only 15 states have breeding populations, and Florida’s panther population is small.
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Where do mountain lions live in Kentucky?
Mountain lions used to be common in Kentucky. A particular subspecies known as the eastern cougar is known as the national homeland. However, it was officially declared extinct by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2011. Wildlife officials conducted extensive research and determined that no eastern mountain lions existed by the 1930s.
Specifically, in Kentucky, there have been no confirmed reports of local mountain lion populations in more than 100 years. The last known report occurred in 1899.
However, there are two “close” populations of mountain lions. But none of them are good enough for the big cats to make Kentucky their new home. A handful of Florida panthers (another subspecies) still exist. Plus, Nebraska has a native mountain lion population 900 miles away.
Despite the lack of local breeding cougar populations, Kentucky officials receive many sightings each year.
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Mountain Lion Sightings in Kentucky
Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources regularly receive reports of possible mountain lion sightings. Biologists investigate each one. But they need physical evidence to confirm the sightings. So far, only two have met their stringent requirements.
In the summer of 1997, a car hit a female cat. Then in 2014, a state conservation officer shot and killed an adult male cat. The Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted DNA testing on the animal. Their results showed that the mountain lion came from South America, so officials believe it was captive and escaped. If so, then whoever owns that cougar is operating illegally. The state banned cougars as pets in 2005.
So, if there are only two confirmed sightings in the state, what about the rest of the reports? According to the state, they believe the increase in mountain lion sightings coincides with a repopulation of bobcats in the state.
Bobcats have a similar coloration due to their brown fur. Although bobcats are much smaller than cougars, they are often mistaken for their larger cousins. Smaller cats are common in Kentucky, living in every county in the state.
Also, while many states have indeed confirmed sightings from tracking camera footage, Kentucky has not. With the large number of hunters traversing the state and the abundance of trail cameras, state officials believe any local cougars will be seen.
However, state officials will continue to monitor the activity of western mountain lions. They will keep residents informed of any changes or considerations they need to be aware of.
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next
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
