OHIO — Reports of mountain lion sightings continue to surface across Ohio each year, despite wildlife officials maintaining that the species has been extinct in the state for more than a century.
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, once roamed Ohio but were extirpated from the state during the 1800s due to habitat loss, hunting and human settlement. Today, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) says there is no known breeding population of mountain lions in Ohio.
Even so, sightings are regularly reported by residents from various parts of the state. Many people describe seeing large tan-colored cats crossing roads, moving through fields or appearing on trail cameras. Social media groups dedicated to Ohio mountain lion sightings have attracted thousands of members who share photos, videos and firsthand accounts…