Mountain Lions Confirmed in Kansas

We have documented the occurrence of several mountain lions in Kansas in recent years and confirmed the existence of two separate cougars since April of 2006, and another that was killed in north central Kansas in 2002. A photograph of one of the cougars was made on April 20, 2006. An out-of-state guest was riding on an ATV with a rural resident on the host’s property when the photo was made of a mountain lion walking in open prairie between two wooded ravines. It was about a hundred yards away when first seen in an open area that had been burned a month earlier. They watched it walk another hundred yards up a hillside before they realized they had a camera and snapped two photos at a distance of 200 yards. Several other area residents, including farmers, reported seeing a cougar in previous years within six miles of the site.



(April 20, 2006 Photo of a Mountain Lion 200 yards from the observers walking over a grassland ridge that had been burned the previous month. Identification is made possible by the combination of distinctive features, including the general tawny color; size, shape and conformation; extended tail with dark upper color closest to the rump; dark posterior side of ears; dark; and observation by two witnesses for a few minutes with a clear view under excellent light conditions.)

Two months later, on June 28, 2006, I briefly observed a mountain lion--possibly the same individual--on a country road less than three miles from the location where the photo was made. I searched the nearby stream area for tracks in the direction of where the cat came from, discovered a dozen or more along the muddy stream bed and made plaster of paris casts of several.

The tracks are distinctively those of a mountain lion. They were larger than tracks of a bobcat, but not as large as those of a fully mature mountain lion. The plaster casts clearly show the retracted claws typical of both native cats. The photograph of the lion taken earlier also suggests a “sub-adult,” possibly an individual that is just two or three years old and out on its own.




(A photograph of one of a series of plaster of paris casts made by Ron Klataske of distinctive tracks made by a Mountain Lion near a road where he saw a Mountain Lion on a rural road about about an hour before sunset on June 28, 2006. It was a hot sunny afternoon/evening with clear visibility. The animal was approximately 200 yards ahead of the slow moving vehicle being driven by the observer. Because of the direction of travel by the Mountain Lion and with relatively high temperatures at that time (combined with very little rainfall in recent weeks) it was speculated that the animal was potentially returning from a nearby stream. Investigation resulted in the discovery of a series of fresh tracks in a muddy creek bottom along and within the water’s edge. The paw imprints were all slightly less than four inches in length (approximately 3 and 3/4 inches to be conservative). The most distinctive feline features include the clear impressions of the retractible claws and the relative alinement of the toes.)

At another location fifteen miles away, a plaster cast of a track of another lion was made by an acquaintance (also a year ago, in the summer of 2006). It was a distinctive track of a larger, mature mountain lion.

A number of rural residents in that area have also reported sightings of a mountain lion during the past several years. A lion resting on a large round bale in a field was videotaped in the same general vicinity.

Although mountain lions were part of the state’s native fauna, they were essentially extirpated during the second half of the 19th century and the last recorded survivor was killed in Ellis County in 1904. They are still officially classified as extinct in Kansas.

As mountain lion populations have recovered in western states in recent decades from more than a century of all-out eradication policies (government financed poisoning, trapping, gunning and bounty practices) individual lions have been venturing out from the Black Hills, Rocky Mountains and possibly occupied range in Texas. Research indicates that most of the displaced cougars that disperse across the countryside are young sub-adult males forced out by territorial adult males that will not tolerate competition.

Some of the young vagrants travel great distances and may be briefly seen by numerous people as they transverse hundreds of miles in a period of months. One of the most notable records--which should logically be regarded as a Kansas confirmation--is of a young male lion trapped and equipped with a radio transmitter and collar near Spearfish, S.D. It was last known to be in the northwestern corner of the Black Hills in September 3, 2003. It was then killed by a train and recovered near Red Rock, Oklahoma in May 2004. In a period of less than nine months it traveled a (straight line) distance of 660 miles from its homeland. It undoubtedly traveled south half the width of South Dakota, across Nebraska and Kansas and then into Oklahoma. Red Rock is located approximately 40 miles south of Arkansas City, Kansas.

That individual animal--a cougar with a radio transmitter collar--couldn’t have made the journey without making scores, possibly hundreds of road crossings. Every road and many open spaces presented the prospect of a sighting--although none were “confirmed” with photographs or distinctive tract records. This animal’s extensive travel illustrates the fact that an absence of confirmation is not a good indication of the presence or absence of a mountain lion in any area of the Great Plains.

A number of other young male cougars collared in the Black Hills or research areas in Wyoming have disappeared. One traveled to northern Minnesota and was last accounted for as it traveled north, possibly into Canada.

Although Audubon of Kansas is collecting information on sightings and other evidence of cougars in Kansas to include on the organization’s website, Audubon is not inclined to publicly release locations unless there is a compelling reason. Audubon wants to avoid providing information that may lead to any pursuit by poachers who want to kill a cougar, or others (including local or state officials) who might be inclined to needlessly destroy one of these native cats. Many or most cougars travel across or apparently live in relative harmony within the state’s 52 million acre area without presenting any problems for people or livestock. The region offers an abundant source of potential wild prey with substantial populations of raccoons, deer and wild turkeys.

Stomach contents of a young mountain lion killed on Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska revealed that its last meal was a raccoon. Most central and eastern Kansas counties have raccoon populations numbering in the thousands. As an illustration of prey abundance, a Shawnee County rancher reports trapping and shooting a total of 136 raccoons near his ranchstead in less than two months. The presence of one or more cougars within an area could be beneficial in helping to keep raccoon populations in check. Raccoons are notorious for raiding nests and killing ground nesting birds ranging in size from songbirds and quail to prairie-chickens, pheasants and wild turkeys.

Cougars are opportunistic hunters and prey on opossums, skunks, woodchucks, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, even coyotes and badgers. Armadillos and porcupines are also taken.

Most people, including rural residents, ranchers and farmers who have seen and reported mountain lions are not particularly alarmed by their presence and do not seek to have them killed. In fact, many people are reluctant to report the big cats out of concern for the well being of the animals. We know one farmer who refers to one repeatedly seen in his neighborhood as his “puddy cat.” For many people the concept of conservation doesn’t just apply to cheetahs in Africa, as viewed on the Animal Planet Channel. They consider rare native cats and other wildlife in North America of equal importance. Audubon of Kansas advocates the concept of thinking globally, but acting locally.

Although an estimated 165 to 210 Mountain Lions live in the Black Hills of South Dakota, their presence has not resulted in human attacks in this popular recreational area--an area with 200,000 year round residents and millions of visitors annually. There have been no human attacks in the recorded history of South Dakota. Members of the Custer Expedition sited several in the 1870s. Settlement with unregulated hunting then almost eliminated the animals.

There have been at least 125 documented cougar attacks on humans in North America in the last 100 years, and 21 of those have been fatal. A number of the attacks in recent years have occurred in California and Colorado as residential developments overtake traditional habitat with relatively high populations of cougars--and conceivably more limited populations of wild prey. There are precautions that individuals can take to minimize the risk of attack. However, cougars that attach humans must be killed or captured and removed.

Although far more people are hospitalized or killed by horses, dogs and bee stings, preservation of human life always takes presedence over considerations whenever there is a compelling indication of a threat.

Cougars sometimes prey on livestock, especially if natural prey is not readily available. It is not as prevalent as many people might assume. Some cougars probably never cross that line. Cattle are usually sufficiently formidable and protective of their calves. Experience in Texas and other locations, however has indicated that free-ranging goats (especially young ones) in rough and wooded terrain are more of a temptation for these cats.

In addition to definitive photographic and track verification, I also have confidential information (from the shooter) confirming that a mountain lion was killed in north central Kansas in the fall of 2002. The young male lion was shot by a member of a hunting party during the firearms deer season. Added confirmation was provided by a neighboring farmer who saw the animal in the back of a pickup after it was taken. A photograph was made of the cougar, and we are hoping that it can included on the Audubon of Kansas website.


Although in 2002 it was, and continues to be, illegal to kill mountain lions in Kansas (and most surrounding states), the two-year statute of limitations has expired for that particular violation. Considering that the presence of mountain lions had not been confirmed at the time, the hunters may not have been fully aware that mountain lions were protected. That became clear later when a friend of theirs inquired.

There have been rumors of other mountain lions killed in the state during the past decade, but they have not been verified. In addition, there have been rumors that were fabrications, including an e-mail hoax complete with a photo of an exceptionally large lion posted with a claim that it had been killed near Leon, Kansas. In reality the animal pictured was one of the largest mountain lions ever killed, had been killed in the state of Washington years earlier and became the subject of similar internet misrepresentations in a number of states, including Missouri.


Although the 2002 kill in Kansas has been verified by Audubon of Kansas, it is not likely that additional details will be made public. Because the presence of other cougars has been verified in the state, there are no compelling reasons to fence with skeptics, and nothing would be gained if others questioned the decision of the hunter made nearly five years ago.

Audubon of Kansas is interested in records and biological information on the species in the Great Plains. It is our goal to provide science-based information and educational perspectives rather than to make judgments on past violations that may have occurred. It is difficult to promote an understanding and the tolerance needed that will allow us to coexist with mountain lions, and modernize state wildlife policies regarding the species, if their presence is not acknowledged. That, combined with an increasing “culture of conservation” among many citizens will hopefully prevent us from repeating the mistake of extirpating this magnificent feline from the state once again.

There are clearly situations when it may be necessary to kill mountain lions, but these animals should not be killed just because a few exist within or traverse our state. Although hundreds of sightings of cougars may have occurred in recent years, it is conceivable that there may be as few as five within the state’s 52 million acres. If there were many more it is likely that some would be killed by vehicles.

Most of Kansas is a precarious place for the cougars because it doesn’t offer extensive landscapes of roadless or wilderness areas. Vast expanses of the state are cultivated, other areas are closely pastured, fragmented by roads or densely populated rural residences, towns and cities. Although there are suitable habitats consisting of wooded river corridors and hills with brushy ravines and scattered forests, these habitats are fragmented and not generally extensive enough to provide secure home ranges for resident breeding populations of mountain lions. Individual cats usually require territories ranging in size from 50 to 300 square miles. It is unlikely that there is a breeding population of cougars in Kansas. At present there are no records available of female cougars in Kansas or females with kittens.

A similar scenario has been generally true for Nebraska. Prior to this year there hasn’t been any evidence of reproduction in that state. Then, a kitten less than six months old was killed February 28, 2007 on U.S. Highway 20 ten miles east of Chadron in the Pine Ridge area of northwestern Nebraska. The only other confirmation of a female in Nebraska resulted from an animal shot in the same part of the state in 1991. Of the several others that have been killed and one captured in Omaha have all been dispersing young males. Cougar travels along major rivers are sometimes interrupted by cities blocking the river corridors. As a result, three young males confused and stalled by overwhelming human development have been killed by responding officials in Omaha, South Sioux City and Scottsbluff. There have been more than thirty-five confirmations in the state, including photographs and track records since 1991, but some of the confirmations may have been for the same individual on several occasions.

Animals can adapt to modified habitats, but can humans adapt to accommondate and accept the presence of large predators? Audubon of Kansas will be asking the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Commission to pursue the development of a policy regarding questions for when, and under what conditions, it is appropriate for a landowner or others to seek to have a mountain lion, that has been suspected of killing livestock or otherwise presenting a threat, killed or removed. The Nebraska Game and Parks Department has a management plan that provides protocols for handling a variety of situations involving mountain lions in that state.

Although Audubon of Kansas confirms that mountain lions have traveled through and have lived in Kansas in recent years, it is not unusual for a fleeting glimpse of other animals to be mistaken for mountain lions. An animal’s swift movement, the limitations of a brief observation from a moving vehicle, low light conditions, shadows, vegetation and situations that make size distinctions difficult often confound even the most experienced wildlife observers. Species that are sometimes mistaken for mountain lions include bobcats, coyotes, deer, domestic cats and dogs of many breeds--possibly including yellow labs, Golden Retrievers and English Mastiffs.

(Photo of the same location, but with a different camera and lens, taken several weeks later. A young man with a 175-pound English Mastiff and a smaller English Pointer are shown to provide some measure of proportion to the earlier photo of the Mountain Lion. A sub-adult Mountain Lion would be expected to be substantially smaller, at least in terms of weight, that this large mature English Mastiff.)

One of the most common indications of mistaken identity is illustrated by reports of a black animal that is projected to be a cougar. There are no scientific records of black mountain lions in North America.

Despite anecdotes to the contrary, all-black coloring (melanism) has never been documented in the cougar. The term "black panther" is used colloquially to refer to melanistic individuals of other species, particularly the Jaguar (native to Central and South America) and the Leopard (native to Africa and Asia). There are also charcoal gray color phases of jaguarundi, a substantially smaller (12 to 18 pounds) cat species native to Central and South America, including Mexico northward to extreme southern Texas. Occurrence of any black felines other than domestic cats would suggest an escaped import of a species other than the mountain lion.

Because of their low numbers and distant range it is highly unlikely (but not totally impossible) that a wild jaguarundi would disperse this far north. A Lynx (a close relative of the Bobcat) relocated to southwestern Colorado from Canada as part of a reintroduction program traveled hundreds of miles and was captured near Great Bend, Kansas early this year.

We hope that you engage in our discussion, and we look forward to your questions and comments.