TENNESSEE — After more than a century without an established population, evidence suggests mountain lions — also known as cougars or panthers — may be slowly returning to Tennessee.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the last confirmed mountain lion in the state was killed in 1902.
For decades, the species was considered extirpated, meaning it no longer had a breeding population in the region. However, in recent years, verified sightings and trail camera photos have sparked renewed discussion about their presence.
TWRA officials have confirmed a handful of sightings since 2015, including trail camera images and tracks in western and middle Tennessee.
Most of these animals are believed to be young males dispersing eastward from established populations in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Rocky Mountains, or possibly from Florida panthers in the south.
Despite scattered confirmations, TWRA maintains there is no evidence of a permanent, reproducing population in Tennessee.
Mountain lions are known for their ability to travel long distances, with young males sometimes covering hundreds of miles in search of new territory. Experts say the state’s forests and abundant deer population could support them if they were to re-establish.
For residents, TWRA emphasizes that the risk of encountering a mountain lion remains extremely low. The agency advises that if one is spotted, people should not run but instead make themselves appear larger, maintain eye contact, and slowly back away. Pet owners in rural areas are also encouraged to keep animals close to home, particularly at night.
While it remains uncertain whether mountain lions will ever re-establish themselves in Tennessee, wildlife biologists note that their occasional return highlights the resilience of the species — and the state’s changing landscape.
