The Mountain Lion still haunts with no

known facts!!!

EMPORIA — In March, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) obtained the pelt of a mountain lion that reportedly had been killed in Barber County in November of 2007. At the time, agency staff could not determine if the animal was wild or not, and some question still remains on the issue. Muscle tissue samples from the pelt were collected and sent to a federal research laboratory in Missoula, Mont., for analysis with two goals in mind.

“The first goal was to determine whether the mountain lion (also known as cougar or puma) is of North or South American descent,” says Matt Peek, furbearer research biologist for KDWP. “It’s believed that most captive mountain lions are of South American descent, and a South American lineage would indicate that the lion either had been a captive or was of captive descent.”

Peek noted that some captives are of North American descent, so while a positive test for North American genetics would not prove the mountain lion was wild, it would indicate that it might be.

“In this case, the lab determined that the lion’s origin was North American, indicating a potentially wild lion,” Peek explains. “While this test does not conclusively prove the lion was wild, there was no outward indication it had been in captivity, and KDWP officials believe it probably was wild.”

The second test being conducted is commonly referred to as “DNA fingerprinting.” This is an attempt to use DNA to link the Barber County lion to a specific population of lions. To date, the results of this DNA fingerprinting have not been definitive, and the source population remains unidentified. Peek explains why:

“There are several possible explanations, but the most likely scenario is that the lab does not have sufficient DNA samples from the source population to positively link the Barber County lion with a particular population. Consequently, the lab has continued to add DNA from additional lions from other states to its database in hopes of making a connection.”

Peek adds that while some Kansans are eager to know the results, testing is a time-consuming process. Additional DNA samples have been added from Colorado and New Mexico. Recently, 300 samples were added, primarily from Wyoming. Several weeks are required to add each genetic addition to the database and make a comparison. Lab and KDWP officials are still hopeful the source population may be positively identified. However, with the genetic similarity of mountain lions across the West, a positive identification may not be possible.

“There is no guarantee that conclusive results to this test will be obtained,” says Peek. “While such tests could continue indefinitely as additional samples are obtained by the lab, the likelihood of obtaining conclusive results will decline substantially as comparison with lions from nearby states is completed. Nearby states are where the Barber County mountain lion most likely originated, assuming it is, in fact, wild.”

KDWP will provide additional updates when more is known, or when conclusive results are obtained. For more information, visit the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us

(photo on left-Tracy Galvin of KDWP displaying actual mountain lion shot)

For years in and around KS people have been seeing mountain lions in the state of KS.   According to the KS Wildlife and Parks that is a hoax to them.  If you call the KDWP and report a sighting of a mountain lion in KS, you will be told there are no mountain lions living in our state.  You may be even asked to take a picture for verification and evidence.  There have even been stories of a mountain lion that had a chip in it and was used by the KDWP for research.  That cat was actually shot in KS and was put in a deep freezer until the KDWP tracked it down.  As the story goes mind you………….

Local ranch owners and farmers have seen deer hanging from trees, mares with huge claw marks on their hinds from being taken down, huge paw-prints left in impressionable material and visuals have been talked about for years.  Did you know that according to KDWP mountain lions in KS just pass through our state?  They have dinner reservations in the other states like Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.  I guess we don’t offer enough roadkill here to satisfy the cravings of a mountain lion.  So when they are walking through our tall grass, watching our ample supply of deer, drinking and playing in our vast streams and jumping from tree to tree…………….they have decided that KS just isn’t the state for them and they should press on. 

Multiple stories have been written about a local man shooting a mountain lion in Barber County, KS in March.  He called the KDWP and was told there are no big cats here and that he probably saw a bobcat not a mountain lion.  So he shot it and took it to Texas to have it mounted.  Authorities have now captured the pelt and are DNA testing it to see if it was a captive cat.  Samples from South American DNA would suggest captivity, however, if North American samples are matched then the evidence would prove to be wild.  I have never in my life heard of such research done nor all the uproar mountain lions have established in the great state of Kansas.  I don’t know if the KDWP are afraid if they admit to mountain lions here they would be subject to hunters and outfitters wanting to harvest them.  Right now our law states that it is illegal to shoot a mountain lion for just his presence.  However, you are allowed to kill this animal if you or livestock is in danger or there is property damage.  The last stated and documented proof was in 1904 in Ellis County, KS.  So over 100 years this will be the first evidence that is tangible and documented.   To think this was just a lone incident and we don’t have room for mountain lions here in KS.  Because lets face it Motel 6 in Oklahoma left the lights on !!!!

 Anyways no charges have been filed on this incident and lots of people have been commenting and writing stories.  You are welcome to view the story at www.hutchnews.com, www.pratttribune.com or the www.gyphillpremiere.com.  Please feel free to comment.  I would love to hear your stories and comments!!!

As Always

Camo Girl