Mountain Lion Sightings Reported in Tennessee Despite Said Extinction

Photo byRobert SachowskionUnsplash

KNOXVILLE, TN - Mountain lions, also known as cougars, pumas, panthers, painters, and catamounts, are the largest felines in North America.

According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, historically, these majestic predators roamed the forests of Tennessee, but by the early 1900s, they were extirpated from the state due to overhunting and habitat loss, similar to the fate of wild elk and buffalo.

However, recent years have brought about confirmed sightings of cougars in Tennessee, suggesting a potential comeback.

According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the cougar, belonging to the family Felidae in the order Carnivora, is a powerful predator ranging from 5 to 8.5 feet in length and weighing between 70 and 250 pounds, with males typically being larger than females.

These sleek cats have small heads, rounded ears without tufts, and a distinctive long, heavy tail with a blackish tip. Their fur is generally a solid tan, though slight variations can give them a reddish, yellowish, or grayish tinge.

In Tennessee, the bobcat is the only other feline species, differing from the cougar in size, coloration, and tail length. Bobcats are much smaller, weighing between 10 and 40 pounds, with a spotted coat and a short "bobbed" tail, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Despite their historical decline, the cougar is protected in Tennessee under state law, which prohibits killing them except in cases of imminent threat to life or injury.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has no plans to reintroduce cougars but will monitor their natural expansion from the western United States.

Three subspecies of cougars are relevant in North America. The Western Cougar is expanding its range eastward, likely accounting for recent Tennessee sightings.

The Eastern Cougar, once widespread east of the Mississippi River, is now officially extinct.

The Florida Panther, the only breeding population east of the Mississippi, resides in the southern tip of Florida and is federally endangered.

Cougars are elusive, solitary animals with large home ranges, making encounters rare.

From 1890 to 1990, only ten fatalities from cougar attacks were recorded in the U.S. and Canada, compared to higher numbers from dog attacks, bear attacks, rattlesnake bites, bee stings, and lightning strikes, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

For those who might encounter a cougar, it is essential to know how to react.

Do not run; instead, stand tall, wave your arms, throw objects, and yell to appear threatening. Back away slowly, avoid turning your back, and seek shelter if possible. If attacked, fight back and report the encounter to local authorities and TWRA.

As Tennessee continues to witness sporadic cougar sightings, it remains crucial to foster understanding and coexistence with these remarkable predators, recognizing their vital role in the state's ecosystem.