Large feline sighted in southern part of county
A large feline, possibly a mountain lion, has been sighted in the southern part of Jackson County.
Wade Schneider, chief of police for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police Department, reported Friday that a large feline was seen in the area of 142nd and O Roads on Thursday. The Jackson County game warden and the Kansas Department of Wildlife have been notified of the animal.
“The announcement is to make the public aware in that area, especially those with children, to be weary of the possibility,” Schneider said in an online public posting. “Your safety is our number one concern. If you see any large felines in the area, bobcats or other, please contact the police department as soon as possible.”
In the event that the feline is a mountain lion, the public is advised to:
* Do not approach the animal. Immediately contact Potawatomi Tribal Dispatch at 785-966-3024.
* Do not intentionally hunt the animal.
* If the animal is posing an immediate threat to an individual or livestock, it is permissible to take action to prevent harm or property damage. Should the mountain lion die in course of action, the carcass must be submitted to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism.
It has been reported that five mountain lion sightings have been confirmed in the state since August. KDWPT reports that, although people often report seeing them, mountain lions are only occasionally confirmed in Kansas.
The first confirmed mountain lion in Kansas in modern times was shot and killed in 2007 in Barber County in south-central Kansas. Thirteen more have been verified since then, for a total of 14 confirmed sightings. The latest confirmation occurred in October 2015 near Dodge City when a mountain lion was found dead in a shed.
Prior to 2007, the last mountain lion documented in Kansas was killed in 1904 in Ellis County.
Biologists believe that most of the verified sightings are of transient young males coming from established populations in nearby states. It is not uncommon for young males to travel great distances looking for home ranges, it was reported.
So far, the animals appear to be passing through Kansas, rather than staying and establishing home ranges. KDWPT has no evidence of a breeding population in the state.
Domestic cats and bobcats are frequently mistaken for mountain lions. Coyotes and dogs are also sometimes mistaken for mountain lions. KDWPT investigates sightings when evidence exists such as tracks, a cached kill, droppings, fur, a photograph or video.
Most verified mountain lions have been documented with photographs taken by remote, motion-triggered cameras commonly used by hunters to monitor game activity along trails and around feeders.
Kansas does not have a hunting season for mountain lions, and they may not be killed without reason. Landowners are permitted to destroy wildlife, including mountain lions, found in or near buildings on their premises or when destroying property. However, reasonable efforts must be made to alleviate the problem before resorting to killing the animal. Landowners may not possess such animals lawfully.
