MOUNTAIN LIONS IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY
Help ensure a future for mountain lions in Kentucky
Though mountain lions once roamed the hills and forests of Kentucky, 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.
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 Kentucky.
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USE THE TABS TO THE LEFT TO EXPLORE:
Return to the portal page for Kentucky.
The status of Puma concolor in Kentucky.
State law and regulations affecting cougars.
The history of cougars in Kentucky.
Ecosystems and habitat in Kentucky.
Cougar science and research in Kentucky.
Our library of media, research and reports.
How you can take action to help!
SUMMARY: Cougars in the State of Kentucky
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 Kentucky, 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. 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 Kentucky. Click here to learn more about status |
Mountain lion law in Kentucky.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 Kentucky, and moved between Kentucky 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. Click here to learn more about history |
Lion habitat in Kentucky.Though mountain lions once roamed the hills and forests of Kentucky, 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 Kentucky. Click here to learn more about habitat |
The science of lions in the state.Though mountain lions once roamed the great state of Kentucy, 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 Kentucy. Click here to learn more about science |
Take action for lions.Kentucky classifies mountain lions as an inherently dangerous animal. Further, Kentucky limits state endangered species protection to only those recognized as federally endangered species, which does not include mountain lions. Thankfully both trapping for fur and hunting mountain lions within the state is prohibited. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the penalties for illegally shooting a mountain lion are sufficiently harsh to keep poachers from poaching again. Click here to learn more about action |
