Officially, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) states there is no established breeding population within the state. Any confirmed presence is typically attributed to transient individuals.
Historical Presence and Current Status
Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, once inhabited much of the eastern United States, including Indiana. These large predators were extirpated from Indiana by the late 1800s due to human activity and habitat changes. The IDNR maintains that Indiana does not have a resident breeding population.
Despite the absence of a breeding population, a few confirmed sightings of individual mountain lions have occurred in Indiana. The IDNR officially confirmed reports in southern Clay County in the fall of 2009 and northern Greene County in the spring of 2010. These confirmed instances generally involve young, transient males dispersing from established populations in western states.
Understanding Sightings and Evidence
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources receives numerous reports of mountain lion sightings. Most prove to be misidentifications, inconclusive, or hoaxes. Scientifically confirmed evidence typically includes clear photographs or videos of a mountain lion in a verifiable location.
Other forms of credible evidence include plaster casts of mountain lion tracks with measurements, or DNA samples. Many unconfirmed sightings often result from people mistaking other animals for mountain lions. The rarity of verified evidence underscores that encountering a mountain lion in Indiana is uncommon.
Identifying Mountain Lions and Look-Alikes
Mountain lions are large, slender cats with a tawny to golden-brown coat, and their undersides are typically white or cream-colored. A defining feature is their long, rope-like tail, which can measure 2 to 3 feet and make up nearly half of their total body length, ending in a blunt, black tip. Adult males can reach lengths of 7 to 8 feet, including the tail, and weigh between 80 and 160 pounds.
In Indiana, mountain lions are most commonly mistaken for bobcats, large domestic cats, or even coyotes. Bobcats, Indiana’s only native wild cat, are significantly smaller, weighing 15 to 30 pounds and measuring 30 to 50 inches long. They possess a distinctively short, “bobbed” tail, typically 4 to 5 inches long. Bobcats also have brownish-tan fur with black spotting and a white band behind each ear.
Encountering a Large Feline
While encountering a mountain lion in Indiana is unlikely, knowing how to react to any large, unfamiliar wild animal is beneficial. If you encounter one, remain calm and avoid approaching. Do not run, as this can trigger a chase instinct. Instead, make yourself appear as large as possible by raising your arms and speaking loudly and firmly.
If the animal continues to approach, fight back using any available objects. Report any potential sightings to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources using their “Report A Mammal” online form. Provide as much detail as possible, including location, time, and any photos or videos, without disturbing potential evidence like tracks or scat. This information assists wildlife biologists in their data collection and assessment of transient animal movements.