A 2nd Summer "prospecting" Puma, likely starting his trek into Iowa out of either the Dakotas, Nebraska or Wyoming is wandering though Buena Vista County..........While not a protected species in Iowa, Officials at this point are not looking to kill the Lion,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,In June, the first female mountain lion found in Iowa in over 100 years was killed in neighboring Ida County, about 30 miles from Buena Vista................. Since 1995, there have been 22 Pumas in Iowa confirmed by the Department of Natural Resources.....,,,,,Let us hope that this hands-off policy continues

Yes, there is a mountain lion roaming in Iowa
Sept. 6, 2017

Yes, there is a mountain 

lion roaming in Iowa

A mountain lion has been spotted in Linn Grove and is confirmed
 to be roaming in northwest Iowa.

Aaron Anderson of Linn Grove, Ia., caught a mountain lion on his trail camera

 footage on Aug. 31, 2017, in the Buena Vista County town.

Vince Evelsizer, a furbearer biologist with the Iowa Department of 

Natural Resources, told the Register on Wednesday that a mountain

 lion was reportedly seen in southwest Clay County a few weeks ago.

"We don't know if that's the same cat or a different one," he said.

 "This is all fairly random when they typically show up."

Aaron Anderson of Linn Grove caught a mountain lion on trail 

camera footage in the tiny Buena Vista County town, which is 

about 22 miles south of Clay County

Buena Vista County(red) in Northwest Iowa

In June, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources killed a

 female mountain lion near a farm in Ida County, which is 

about 40 miles from Buena Vista County. Evelsizer said the

 DNR isn't planning to seek it out unless there's "a perceived

 threat to human safety" like the last cat.


The female Puma that was shot and killed
in June in Ida County

"The cat is staying out of trouble," Evelsizer said. "Respect 

for the animals whenever and wherever possible is a first 

priority. We highly encourage folks to give them their space.

 And they often are so secretive they keep to themselves."

Since 1995, there have been 21 mountain lions in Iowa 

confirmed by the DNR. Evelsizer said DNA results from the

 mountain lion killed in June indicated that it originated from

 Wyoming.

Ida County where the female Lion was shot dead in June


 Mountain lions in Iowa generally come from 

western South Dakota and Nebraska.

Mountain lions are not listed as a furbearer and have no

 protected status in Iowa