Mountain lions have been sighted again in Illinois. Here’s what you need to know:
Despite being eliminated from Illinois in the 19th century, mountain lions have been sighted twice in Illinois recently, once in DeKalb County and once in Springfield. National Parks Service via AP
Mountain lions were eliminated from Illinois before the 1870s due to habitat loss and overharvesting. However, there have been a few sightings confirmed in Illinois over the past decades, with two reported last month alone. The sightings have prompted questions about safety, what to do if you see a mountain lion, and what the animals might be doing back here.
We were joined by a wildlife biologist to talk us through these questions and more.
GUEST:
Chris Anchor
Senior Wildlife Biologist, Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Mountain lion captured in Springfield settling in at new home https://t.co/tCnaxkx8bt
— NPRIllinois (@nprillinois) November 14, 2022
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
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