11 shocking cases of mountain lion encounters across the U.S.
Mountain lions are making unexpected and sometimes alarming appearances across the U.S. In North Texas alone, a string of recent sightings in Lake Dallas, Frisco, Plano, and Little Elm have residents on alert, as wildlife experts urge caution. In California, officers had to tranquilize a mountain lion that darted through Camarillo backyards and leaped across rooftops, while a Ring camera in Riverbank caught rare, clear footage of another prowling a patio.
Tragically, a recent fatal attack in El Dorado County has prompted heated debate over how best to manage these predators, as lawmakers consider new measures following the incident. Even places with little to no recent history of mountain lions, like Illinois and a Texas county, are now confirming sightings, showing that these elusive animals may be venturing farther than ever before.
NO. 1: AGGRESSIVE COUGAR FOUND AND KILLED IN OREGON BACKYARD, 250 FEET FROM SCHOOL, COPS SAY
The animal was showing signs of unusual behavior, police said. | Published April 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner
NO. 2: MOUNTAIN LION OR HOUSE CAT? SLO COUNTY TEEN SAYS HE WAS ATTACKED WHILE RIDING DIRTBIKE
“It just barely grabbed on to the back of my helmet and ripped me back,” the 19-year-old told The Tribune. | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kelsey Oliver
NO. 3: 3 IDAHO HUNTING GUIDES FACE FEDERAL CHARGES. HERE’S WHAT U.S. ATTORNEY SAYS THEY DID
Officials said one of the guides tried to pay a licensed outfitter $12,500 after submitting false reports using the outfitter’s name. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Nicole Blanchard
NO. 4: MOUNTAIN LIONS ARE POPPING UP AROUND NORTH TEXAS. BE ON ‘HIGH ALERT,’ SAYS WILDLIFE EXPERT
Over the last few weeks, there have been three confirmed mountain lion sightings in North Texas. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brayden Garcia
NO. 5: RARE MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING IN HOME’S PATIO NEAR STANISLAUS RIVER IN RIVERBANK
"He went back and forth in front of our patio and we got a pretty clear shot of his face – it was a beautiful cat, but also pretty scary." - Rene Lindgren | Published January 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kathleen Quinn
NO. 6: ELUSIVE PREDATOR SEEN PROWLING THROUGH SNOW IN CO NEIGHBORHOOD. ‘TOO CLOSE TO HOME’
The rarely-seen predators typically avoid residential areas unless they’re sick or injured. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger
NO. 7: ELUSIVE PREDATOR RACES THROUGH BACKYARDS, JUMPS ON ROOFTOPS, CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS SAY
“When you live in their backyard, that’s what you see. It’s their land, we just live on it.” | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brooke Baitinger
NO. 8: CALIFORNIA BILL GETS IT WRONG: HOUNDING MOUNTAIN LIONS WON’T PREVENT CONFLICTS | OPINION
“Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil’s legislation threatens to do more harm than good, and passing it would be a mistake.” | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenny Berg
NO. 9: MOUNTAIN LION SEEN FOR FIRST TIME IN TEXAS COUNTY, OFFICIALS SAY. ‘USE CAUTION’
A city worker spotted the big cat coming down from a tree at a park, officials say. | Published April 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mitchell Willetts
NO. 10: MOUNTAIN LION IN ILLINOIS? RECENT TRAIL CAM SIGHTING IS RARE, BUT NOT THE FIRST
Don’t expect the mountain lion to stick around, officials say. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Stunson
NO. 11: MOUNTAIN LION HAZING BILL ADVANCES AFTER CHARGED HEARING AT CALIFORNIA CAPITOL
“The blood and the flesh of the next victim will be on this committee,” lawmaker tells reporters after leaving hearing. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Darrell Smith
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.