INDIANA — The idea of mountain lions (also called cougars, pumas, or Puma concolor) returning to Indiana has intrigued residents and wildlife observers, but state wildlife agencies and scientific evidence paint a clear picture: while individual animals may wander through the state on rare occasions, there is no established, breeding population of mountain lions in Indiana today.
Historical Context
Mountain lions were once native across much of North America, including what is now Indiana. They were extirpated — meaning completely eliminated locally — in the state in the late 1800s due to unregulated hunting, habitat loss and development.
Since that time, no self-sustaining population has ever been documented in the state, and there is no evidence that the species has recolonized on its own in a way that would qualify as a true return.
Current Status of Mountain Lions in Indiana
According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the likelihood of encountering a mountain lion in Indiana remains remote. The agency states there is:
- No known breeding population of mountain lions in the state.
- Occasional reports or sightings with inconclusive evidence.
- Most large cat sightings turn out to be bobcats, dogs, or misidentifications rather than cougars.
Indiana’s DNR actively investigates reported sightings, but criteria for confirmation include clear photographic or physical evidence — which has been lacking in most claims.
Transient Individuals, Not a Population
While Indiana does not have resident mountain lions, individual animals from western states sometimes wander through or into the eastern U.S. Wildlife biologists track cases in nearby states where young male cougars have migrated long distances in search of territory. These animals can cover hundreds of miles, occasionally turning up far from any core population.
For example, in Illinois, biologists confirmed occasional mountain lion sightings and documented animals that had moved through the region. However, even there no breeding population has become established…