Yep, I’m one of those people. The rumor I’ve always heard is that they are pets that were turned lose.

2000 in Wyoming, what a farce. They are thick as ticks on a possum here.

Be very careful what you wish for. They are the scrounge of the earth when numbers get up. IMO

The article starts off saying the US populations is 20,000 to 30,0000 lions, but if you add up their own numbers you are already sitting at 39,000. 1500 for WA LOL!!!!

Clickbait by someone who didn't really do the research they say they did.

Several states have inaccurate numbers and info. North Dakota has a hunting season on them, not just a transient population of 20-30.

Yeah , I did the math right away too . Numbers didn't look right to me

I'm with Yukon John! bfflobo, I don't think he was referring to the 4 legged animal.

Lol. I was waiting for that!

If that 1500 number is correct half of them must live in my county!

Laughable for sure.

The dreaded double post!

If those numbers are even off by 20-40% there are roughly 30,000 cougars residents of roughly 1/3rd of the continental USA. Not surprising at all then with that many over that large of an area that they are documented in almost every state. Sightings should not be considered unusual events with the size and habitats of large predators.

Bryce

Says they just pass through MO on their travels. Seems more likely that we have a few. They get sighted often enough.

Glad someone got it! Lol

Lions are all over Texas. There would be a heck-of-a-lot more if it
wasn't for a few Tx. Trapper Assn. members.

I hope everyone gets a chance to catch a lion. This one is wearing #38 and was among a "breeding population" in Nebraska because he came from that population. Caught him in a 550 OS 2-coil with a super stake chain stake set up. Held him good with most of one paw in the trap.
Texas has 'em and we've trapped them near Austin and down in the Valley both. We're told to expect a lion on my cameras during a contract job coming here in a few weeks up near the OK state line. We'll see. Donna needs a good picture with one

New Mexico has a lot of lions, I trap on a ranch that is a "funnel" for them. You can tell when a lion shows up things get quiet and they eat the coyotes out of my traps. 3500 sounds low to me.

Interesting. I didn't know a 550 would hold a cougar so well. I've yet to hear of a Wi trapper catching a cougar.

I would have thought their paw would be able to cover the entire trap if they stepped directly on the center of it.

Some of the mid state hippies had some pictures of a couple, in around Baxter if I remember correctly. I can't remember if it was in the park or just in the area. I think IFW told them they were just passing through. LOL

I've never seen one myself, but I've seen the tracks and the trail camera pictures. Most hunters and trappers know enough to keep it to themselves.