OUTDOOR CORNER: DEBATE CONTINUES OVER MOUNTAIN LIONS IN MISSOURI

While there have been numerous reports of mountain lions over the years, it's not proven that any live in Missouri.

Suppose you hear a blood curdling scream echoing across the night air. The sound could be from a movie, but many residents claim that a wild cat is making that noise.

No matter what you call them -- cougars, jaguars, black panthers, mountain lions, wildcats or pumas, they sure strike life into a conversation. But are they really in Missouri? That is a very popular question asked by folks. Let's look at the evidence and you make up your own mind.

The earliest explorers to Missouri made reference to large cats that they saw or had hunted. In addition to bobcats, explorers and pioneers recorded sightings of cougars, jaguars, pumas, panthers and lions. However, when they took the time to describe the beast, it was always tanish in color with a long tail and powerful, long legs. The animal was also supposed to weigh as much as a person. Although they gave it a different name, everyone seemed to be describing the same cat.

Keep in mind that along with their dreams and intentions, these Europeans brought with them their vocabulary. Panther, jaguar, cougar and lion were names of cats that Europeans would be familiar with, so when they recorded a cat sighting, they used the most appropriate word they could think of.

Today we still use ethnic names for this cat. The only problem with this is that some people think we have two large cats rather than just one. For example, black panthers are thought, by many, to live in Missouri. When someone suggests it is a mountain lion instead, that person may say, "No! it was a black panther."

Early settlers, explorers, naturalists and pioneers saw a large cat in Missouri. Folks like Lewis and Clark, John Audubon and Thomas Nuttal have descriptions of wild cats; some even called it a panther but none described it as black.

Missourians and scientists have a lot in common. They want evidence, "Show me!" That is why both have a reputation of skepticism unless evidence is produced. Scientists have been very skeptical about the return of the mountain lion in Missouri. In the last 200 years they were killed upon sight (mostly out of fear) and their habitat degraded or converted. Scientists, just like any good Missourian, want physical evidence that mountain lions are here again.

A confirmed cat kill, a few video tapes and a dead mountain lion now give us good evidence there are mountain lions in certain parts of Missouri. Does this mean everyone who claims to a wild cat sighting is correct? Not necessarily.

Some wildcat sightings, upon careful review, turn out to be something else. Other large mammals are sometimes confused with cats due to a fleeting glimpse. Potential cat kills turn out to be kills made by wild running dogs.

A mountain lion kill is very distinctive. Internal organs are removed by the cat, but not eaten. The dead animal is then dragged to a more secluded spot and eaten. The remaining carcass is covered with sticks and leaves to conceal it from competing predators and scavengers. Only mountain lions feed in this manner. A pack of domestic dogs will make bites all over livestock, and may not even eat it.

Today we have very little evidence that mountain lions are common in Missouri. Some of the lions currently in the state are from suspected releases by private citizens. Cats can be purchased at exotic animal auctions, despite the fact that mountain lions do not make good pets.

When the owner becomes tired of or afraid of the cat, they sometimes release it illegally and consider the problem solved. Many of these cats die because they have not learned to hunt food on their own. Some have managed to survive and perhaps this explains why confirmed sightings have occurred in the last ten years.

Are these animals a threat to us? Not really. Personally, I am more concerned with tick bites than mountain lions. These big cats shy away from people. Until we get solid evidence that Missouri's mountain lion sightings are more than released pets or wandering males from far away, there will be little cause for concern.

Are mountain lions in Missouri? Yes, a few do roam the state. Are they black? No, mountain lions are not black. Only cats from Europe or Asia are black. Should we worry? Absolutely not.

Enjoy every visit you make outdoors. You have a better opportunity to win the lottery big. . . . many times; rather than see a wild mountain lion.

Do they live in the southeast region? Probably not. The area we live in is not the best habitat for mountain lions to live in, but the possibility does exist. Remember, scientists need physical evidence to be sure. Although many conversations have been fueled by the idea of lions in this area, we are all Missourians and need to be "shown" before we change our minds.

A.J. Hendershott is an education consultant with the Missouri Department of Conservation.