Despite the increase in killing of Pumas in the Black Hills of South Dakota(the easternmost region where Pumas are breeding), sightings continue to pop up throughout the midwest of male cats seeking out new territories and females.................December 12 recorded such a migrating Puma in Dekalb County, Missouri............Confirmed by the Missouri Dept. of Conservation, this Puma is protected by State law unless it threatens humans(who can kill the cat if it is perceived to be a threat to life or property)

Photo Confirms Mountain Lion in Dekalb County, Missouri

 

By Joe Jerek ;infozine.com


The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has confirmed a photograph of a mountain lion taken Dec. 12 by a trail camera on private land in DeKalb County.DeKalb County, MO - infoZine - According to MDC's Mountain Lion Response Team, widely scattered mountain-lion sightings have been confirmed in Missouri and likely will continue. Some sightings or photographs of mountain lions may be of the same animal, but MDC cannot confirm individual animals without DNA evidence. Evidence to date indicates these mountain lions are dispersing from other states to the west of Missouri. The most extreme evidence of this dispersal occurred in early 2011 when a mountain lion that was killed in Connecticut was genetically traced to South Dakota. MDC has no confirmed evidence of a breeding population in Missouri.

MDC receives many reports each year from people who believe they have seen mountain lions and encourage these reports. MDC can only confirm those for which there is physical evidence.

Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation

Reports of sightings can be emailed to mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov

Mountain lions are naturally shy of humans and generally pose little danger to people, even in states with thriving breeding populations. Although mountain lions are protected by law, Missouri's Wildlife Code, it does allow people to protect themselves and their property if they feel threatened.