Video shows mountain lion near Great Bend

By Lindsay Cobb
Published: September 18, 2015

WICHITA, Kan. – Large cats aren’t typically thought to roam the plains.  But sightings here in the Sunflower State are becoming increasingly more common in recent years. So, KSN asked wildlife experts why the animals are starting to pop up here, and if they’re here to stay.

There haven’t been mountain lions in Kansas in nearly a century.  Before 2007, the last cougar killed in Kansas was in 1904. But Friday, we found out that years ago they were actually pretty common in the area. “We’re talking at least 100-120 pound cat, at least,” said Captain Larry Hastings with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

Hunting and food shortages wiped out the Midwest cougar population in the early 1900’s. But, Hastings says people helped drive them away. “This used to be a natural mountain lion area and we’d see them.” Said Hastings.  “However with the change- population, habitat, and everything else that has kinda driven them out to other places.”

But with conservation efforts and a growing food supply,  the big cat has been venturing back onto the plains. “In the last 15 years we’ve actually had more animals starting to move through the Midwest United States,” said Hastings. He says in that time, Kansas has had 13 confirmed sightings.
David Paden’s camera recently caught a mountain lion roaming around the Great Bend area. “When I got this it kinda took me off guard,” said Paden who’s with the Great Bend Sheriff’s Office. It wasn’t really what I was going for I was looking for a cat so it kinda shocked me.”

And the physical evidence is stacking up, like this recent picture from western Kansas. “I had several people post pictures and videos on my page that they had seen mountain lions as well,” said Paden. That helps officials keep track of the population.

But should these big cats be cause for concern? “Should you be afraid to go outside, no you shouldn’t be afraid to go outside,” said Hastings. While you should always be aware, he says they tend to shy away from humans and loud sounds. “Eventually, yeah. We’re gonna get some more that come through,” said Hastings.

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