A young male mountain lion that had been roaming Southern Illinois for approximately two months has been found dead in Jackson County near the Union County line. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a hunter discovered the animal’s remains and contacted conservation police.
Conservation police officers and an IDNR wildlife biologist responded and confirmed the mountain lion’s death.
The circumstances surrounding the animal’s death remain under investigation, although IDNR officials say foul play was not immediately suspected. Samples collected from the mountain lion will be submitted for genetic analysis. A cause of death has not been announced. According to IDNR, the animal was the 12th confirmed mountain lion in Illinois since 2002.
Mountain lions are considered rare visitors to Illinois. Previous confirmed animals have generally been males between two and three years old, with DNA evidence suggesting they traveled from western populations, most likely in Nebraska and the Dakotas.
Mountain lions have been protected under Illinois law since 2015. The animals cannot legally be hunted, killed, or harassed unless they pose an imminent threat to people or property. IDNR advises anyone encountering a mountain lion or another large carnivore to leave the animal alone and report the sighting to wildlife biologists. Residents concerned about a possible threat to themselves or their property are encouraged to contact IDNR to discuss available options.
The investigation into the mountain lion’s death remains ongoing.