OHIO — While mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are officially considered extirpated from Ohio, occasional unconfirmed sightings continue to be reported by residents across the state.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), there is no established breeding population of mountain lions in Ohio.
Most confirmed mountain lions in the Midwest are young males dispersing from western states like South Dakota, Nebraska, or Missouri, where the species still has viable populations.
These animals can travel hundreds of miles in search of new territory.
While the odds of encountering a mountain lion in Ohio remains extremely low, it is not impossible.
Trail camera photos and sightings are occasionally investigated, but few are ever confirmed.
Residents who believe they have seen a mountain lion are encouraged to report the sighting to ODNR for evaluation and tracking purposes.
