Mountain lions (Puma concolor) are also known as cougars, pumas, and panthers. While they are present in Arkansas, they do not have an established, breeding population. The state’s rugged terrain offers suitable habitat, but current verified sightings are of individual animals that have traveled vast distances, not a re-established native population.
The Official Status of Mountain Lions in Arkansas
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) maintains there is no evidence of a resident, breeding mountain lion population. An established population requires the presence of females and documented reproduction, which state wildlife biologists have not found. Confirmed cats are classified as “transient individuals.”
Mountain lions are not considered game animals in Arkansas, meaning they cannot be legally hunted or trapped. It is illegal to kill a mountain lion unless done in self-defense, where a person believes they are protecting themselves or others from imminent bodily harm. The AGFC’s position is based on forensic evidence, not just anecdotal sightings.
Historical Presence and Extirpation
Mountain lions were historically native to Arkansas, serving as a prominent predator alongside black bears and red wolves. Early 19th-century explorer journals indicate their common presence, supported by ample prey like white-tailed deer and necessary cover.
This native population was nearly eliminated by the early 20th century. The primary drivers of this disappearance were widespread habitat loss due to settlement and agriculture, combined with targeted extermination efforts. Bounty laws encouraged the killing of predators suspected of threatening livestock, leading to the species’ overexploitation.
Transient Individuals and Confirmed Evidence
The mountain lions currently documented are overwhelmingly young, transient males dispersing from established populations far to the west. Genetic analysis often traces these travelers back to the Black Hills region of Wyoming and South Dakota, demonstrating their ability to cover enormous distances.
The AGFC uses modern forensic techniques to verify the roughly two dozen confirmed sightings since 2010. Confirmation methods include DNA analysis of scat, hair, or blood, and clear, verifiable trail camera footage or photographs. This strict approach is necessary because the vast majority of reported sightings are ultimately determined to be misidentifications of other animals.
Identification and Reporting Procedures
Distinguishing a mountain lion from other large animals is important, as many reports turn out to be misidentifications of large bobcats, coyotes, or domestic dogs. The most definitive characteristic of an adult mountain lion is its long, thick tail, which often measures up to two-thirds the length of its body and ends in a black tip. A bobcat has a short, “bobbed” tail.
Mountain lion tracks measure three to five inches in length and width, significantly larger than a bobcat’s tracks, which are generally less than two inches. The tracks of both species lack the visible claw marks typically left by canines like dogs or coyotes. When reporting a sighting to the AGFC, provide verifiable evidence to assist biologists in their confirmation efforts. Clear photographs, video, or physical evidence like tracks or scat should be documented and immediately reported to the nearest AGFC office.