MOUNTAIN LION/COUGAR STATUS IN IOWA 1995 – 2013

The mountain lion/cougar (or puma, (2013), the Iowa DNR confirmed two panther, and various other names) is the mountain lion reports (Table 1). One largest of the three wildcats historically mountain lion was captured on game documented in Iowa. The lynx and the cameras multiple times in Warren bobcat are the other two. The mountain County, while the second mountain lion lion/cougar probably occurred was shot in early December in Sioux throughout most of the state originally, County. Table 2 shows the number of but nowhere in great numbers. The lynx confirmed mountain lions in Iowa by has been extirpated and the bobcat is year. The following methods have been established in Iowa again after nearly used to confirm the presence of being extirpated. The last historical mountain lions in Iowa to date: roadkills, record of a mountain lion/cougar in Iowa shot and killed, verified camera pictures, was one that was shot in 1867 in and sightings (Table 3). Appanoose County near the town of Cincinnati, Iowa. It is important to note that an average of 2 to 4 sightings per week is reported to Since the mid-1990’s, the DNR has us in the Clear Lake office from received several reports of large “cat” locations all over the state. This does like sightings which led some to believe not count all of the reports other DNR that a few “free ranging” mountain staff receive in their regions throughout lions/cougars may again be occurring in the state as well. Over 2,000 mountain some portions the state. These “free lion sightings have been reported since ranging” mountain lions/cougars could 2010. However, strong evidence in the be either escapees, or released animals, form of legitimate tracks, photos, video privately owned, (grandfathered in or other evidence is necessary before we before July 1, 2007 legislation to curtail can officially place them on our map as the ownership of certain “dangerous wild “confirmed”. animals”) or they are fully wild animals dispersing from western and It is very likely that we have the southwestern states. Southeast South occasional mountain lion wandering Dakota, eastern Nebraska, northeast through or staying in our state for a Kansas, Missouri, as well as Minnesota, period of time, however we have not Wisconsin, and Illinois, have reported documented a self-sustaining breeding increased mountain lion/cougar sightings population of mountain lions in Iowa at during the past 10 years. this time. THE IOWA DNR HAS NOT ‘STOCKED’ OR Confirmed Mountain Lions in Iowa INTRODUCED MOUNTAIN LIONS Figure 1 is a map showing mountain lion INTO THE STATE NOR IS THERE sightings reported to the DNR that were ANY CONSIDERATION OF DOING confirmed or highly probable SO. confirmations (1995 – 2013). Tracks and/or sightings reported to us With the methods of deer hunting that throughout the year are documented as take place in Iowa, one would expect to confirmed or unconfirmed after get more reports of mountain lions investigating the evidence. This past year during that time. Overall however, the 150,000+ deer hunters seldom report a 2006, 2007, and 2008. sighting of a mountain lion during their hunting activities. We actually receive Depredation: This past year, we had more reports of mountain lion sightings some cases of livestock during the summer when wildlife cover damage/depredation but none were is at its maximum than we do in the positively confirmed as mountain lion. winter when it is at its minimum. It is an In almost all cases, it was from dogs or interesting trend and not exactly sure self-inflicted injuries on fences or gates why. around the stock pens or pastures. These reports came from the following DNA testing is used to determine the counties: Humboldt, Clay, Palo Alto, origin of mountain lions that are killed in Kossuth, Emmet, and Bremer. Another Iowa whenever possible. The origin of report came from Cerro Gordo County of the 4 dead mountain lions have been a horse being killed, but a direct report completed and results indicate that they didn’t come in time to examine the site are of North American origin. Results or the animal, so that case is unknown from that testing have shown strong for sure what caused it. Whenever indications that it matched DNA possible, DNR staff made an effort to common to cats from the Black Hills examine the evidence left at the scene region of South Dakota and parts of before trying to say for sure what the Nebraska. There are some indications predator might have been. Most the only legal source of captive mountain depredation cases in Iowa are from lions/cougars should be of South canines (dogs or coyotes). It is possible American origin, although more study is for a mountain lion to attack/ depredate necessary before that theory can be livestock, however again, we did not substantiated or discounted. have any cases in Iowa in 2013 where we could determine for sure whether a Currently the mountain lion has no mountain lion caused livestock damage. legal status in the Iowa Code, thus However, mountain lion researchers they are not given any sort of believe that white-tailed deer and other protection by Iowa Law. Although the wild animals, especially mammals, are DNR does not advocate the the preferred prey. indiscriminate killing of mountain lions, the few mountain lions that do wander Even so, predators are generally into Iowa are often shot. The DNR opportunists and if hungry they will take requested that the 2002 legislative what is readily available. We have had session consider legislation to designate at least 3 reports (1 in Jasper, 1 in the mountain lion and the black bear as Allamakee, and 1 in Palo Alto County) furbearers, thus allowing the DNR to from people who believe that they have properly manage these species, should seen mountain lion cubs. A few their numbers increase. The DNR also additional reports of mountain lion cubs requested that indiscriminate killing of have been reported this past year. At these animals not be allowed unless they this point most DNR personnel are are about to cause damage or injury to skeptical of those reports because of a property or persons. The legislation did lack of evidence when the area was not pass. Afterward, the Governor’s investigated. All mountain lions that office asked the DNR to not pursue have been killed in Iowa in recent years mountain lion/cougar and black bear have all been reproductively immature 1 furbearer status in the Iowa Code in to 2 year old males. To date, we do not have a documented breeding population above you head attempt to look larger. of mountain lions in Iowa. Credible (2) Hold your ground, wave, shout and mountain lion sightings and tracks are don’t run, as running stimulates the important to the Iowa DNR. Two predator reflex (just like dogs) to pursue excellent websites to help with mountain anything that runs away. track identification are http://www.bear- (3) Maintain eye contact if you sight a racker.com/cougar.html and lion. Lions prefer to attack from ambush http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/915 and count on the element of surprise 2/cougar.html. It is important to (4) If small children are present, or if remember that all cat tracks are round in there are several people in your group, shape; with 4 toes and a heel pad that has gather everyone very close together. 3 posterior lobes and a less than Mountain lions are not predators of large prominent M shape on the forepart of the groups. heel pad (Figure 2). Adult mountain lion/cougar tracks are 4 inches or larger In the past 110 years 66 people have in diameter, whereas bobcat tracks are been attacked by mountain nearer to the 2 ½ to 3 inch range in lions/cougars, resulting in 61 injuries, 19 diameter. All cats have retractable of which were fatal, and none occurred claws, thus the tracks they leave show no in Iowa. In 2010, the DNR published a 4 claw marks except in unusual fold brochure on the Status of Mountain circumstances. When possible, good Lions/Cougars in Iowa for the State Fair. plaster casts of suspected tracks will aid The brochure is available on the Iowa greatly in their identification. We will DNR website and we send it out continue to monitor and map reliable whenever needed to interested sightings, but because there are still individuals or the media. This brochure many mountain lion/cougar sightings is updated annually. that are reported with poor quality photos or video and so few tracks found, Since the first modern reports of they are difficult to substantiate. mountain lion/cougars sightings began to increase significantly in 2001, Ron SAFETY ISSUES: Andrews (previous Iowa DNR Furbearer The good news is that lions generally Biologist, now retired 2011) gave well avoid humans. People are more apt to be over 250 public informational meetings killed by a dog or struck by lightning statewide regarding the status of than attacked by a mountain lion/cougar. mountain lions/cougars in Iowa and the Midwest. This was done to educate the Some safety do’s and don’ts can be public about Mountain Lions and help found at the Mountain Lion Foundation with their concerns. More mountain website, www.mountainlion.org. lion information is being put on the dnr’s Also the Eastern Cougar Network is a website and outreach efforts continue. source of Mountain lion/cougar It’s important to the Iowa DNR to work information. Their website is with the public on this topic. [email protected].

Here are some suggestions on what to do in the remote chance you have a mountain lion/cougar encounter: (1) Spread your jacket, coat or shirt

Table 1. Confirmed Mountain Lions in Iowa (1995 – 2013).

2001 Roadkill (Captive Release) Jasper 2001 Roadkill Shelby 2001 Tracks Allamakee 2001 Tracks Cherokee 2001 Sighting/Tracks Ringgold 2003 Sighting Pottawattamie 2003 Shot Sioux 2004 Shot Wayne 2004 Tracks Lucas 2004 Sighting Woodbury 2004 Trail Camera Pictures Marshall 2004 Sighting Scott 2009 Shot Iowa 2011 Trail Camera Pictures Clinton 2012 Shot Polk 2013 Trail Camera Pictures Warren 2013 Shot Sioux

Table 2. Confirmed Mountain Lions in Iowa by year (1995 – 2013).

1995 1 2001 5 2003 2 2004 5 2009 1 2011 1 2012 1 2013 2 Total 18

Table 3. Method of confirmation for Mountain Lions in Iowa (1995 – 2012).

Confirmation Method No. of Mountain Lions Sightings 4 Tracks 4 Pictures 3 Shot 5 Roadkills 2 Total 18

Figure 2. Typical Mountain Lion track.

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