MOUNTAIN LIONS IN THE STATE OF KANSAS
Help ensure a future for mountain lions in Kansas
Though mountain lions once roamed the hills and forests of Kansas, persecution at the hands of humans has driven them locally extinct in the state. Fear and misinformation were the main forces driving this extirpation. But attitudes have changed since the early 1900s and there's hope for the future. What few that may have passed through the state have been dispersers passing through or escaped captive animals. None of these have managed to start a stable population.
If we support mountain lion-friendly legislation, open space conservation, and preserve corridors connecting potential habitat, we could reverse this situation and bring mountain lions back home to Kansas.
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USE THE TABS TO THE LEFT TO EXPLORE:
Return to the portal page for Kansas.
The status of Puma concolor in Kansas.
State law and regulations affecting cougars.
The history of cougars in Kansas.
Ecosystems and habitat in Kansas.
Cougar science and research in Kansas.
Our library of media, research and reports.
How you can take action to help!
SUMMARY: Cougars in the State of Kansas
For more detail you can explore using the links below.
The status of Puma concolor.
Though mountain lions once roamed the hills and forests of Kansas, persecution at the hands of humans has driven them locally extinct in the state. Fear and misinformation were the main forces driving this extirpation. But attitudes have changed since the early 1900s and there's hope for the future. What few that may have passed through the state have been dispersers passing through or escaped captive animals. None of these have managed to start a stable population.
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Mountain lion law in Kansas.In the box below you will find all the governing state statutes, mountain lion legal status, state laws, information about the state legislature, initiative and referendum processes, and the state wildlife agency, mountain lion management plans, mountain lion hunting laws, depredation laws, and other regulations as appropriate. Click here to learn more about law |
The history of lions in the state.
Before European settlement, mountain lions once occurred throughout Kansas, and moved between Kansas and neighboring states. Ideal habitat would have occurred in the forests, hills, and along the timbered streams, but mountain lions could have persisted anywhere there was ample prey.
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Lion habitat in Kansas.
Though mountain lions once roamed the hills and forests of Kansas, persecution at the hands of humans drove them locally extinct. If we support open space conservation and preserve corridors connecting potential habitat, we could reverse this situation and bring mountain lions back home to Kansas.
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The science of lions in the state.
Though mountain lions once roamed the great state of Kansas, human persecution has eliminated them from its hills and forests. With no mountain lion population to study, there isn't any current research to report in Kansas.
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Take action for lions.Overhunting and loss of habitat extirpated mountain lions from Kansas in the early 1900�s. Although there has been no evidence of a reproducing population, many sightings have been reported. Today, landowners are permitted to kill lions �found in or near buildings on their premises or when destroying property�. To prevent the overreaction of concerned residents and a possible repeat of history, it is important state and local authorities establish responsible conservation measures and that the public is well educated on the importance of mountain lions in the local ecosystem. Below are some actions you can take as a local volunteer to help ensure Kansas lions receive the respect and protection they deserve. Click here to learn more about action |
