WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia’s rugged terrain and dense forests make it a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts, but spotting a mountain lion, also known as a cougar or puma, remains one of the rarest encounters in the state.
Despite persistent rumors and occasional reports of sightings, the official stance of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) is clear: mountain lions are not currently established in the state.
Historical Context
Mountain lions were once native to West Virginia and much of the eastern United States.
However, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the species was driven to near extinction in the region due to habitat loss, hunting, and declining prey populations.
The last confirmed mountain lion in West Virginia was documented over a century ago.
In 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the eastern cougar, a subspecies of mountain lion, extinct.
While western populations of mountain lions have rebounded, there has been no verified evidence that these large cats have recolonized the state.
Modern Sightings
Despite the lack of confirmed evidence, anecdotal sightings of mountain lions continue to surface across West Virginia.
These reports often include descriptions of large, tawny cats with long tails. However, the WVDNR notes that many of these sightings are cases of mistaken identity, with observers misidentifying animals such as bobcats, coyotes, or even large domestic dogs.
In rare instances, mountain lions found in the eastern U.S. are determined to have traveled long distances from western populations or were kept illegally as pets before escaping.
For example, a mountain lion killed in Connecticut in 2011 was traced back to a population in South Dakota.
Odds of an Encounter
The odds of encountering a mountain lion in West Virginia today are extremely low.
According to the WVDNR, there is no breeding population in the state, and any sightings are likely of transient individuals or misidentified animals.
By comparison, residents and visitors are far more likely to encounter black bears, deer, and other native wildlife.
For a mountain lion to establish a population, several factors would need to align, including sufficient habitat, a stable prey base, and the presence of multiple individuals for breeding.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that such conditions exist in West Virginia.
