LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Teams from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are testing the carcass of a mountain lion found recently by a U.S. Forest Service employee.
The employee found a dead mountain lion recently in the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area in Stone County. The animal was moderately decomposed, weighing 118 pounds and approximately 85 inches long, Arkansas Game and Fish officials said.
Arkansas Game and Fishing Commission gives progress update on Lake Conway renovations
Officials said an examination was performed on the animal at the AGFC Calico Rock office on Thursday. No bullet wound was found, nor was there evidence of it being hit by a car. AGFC State Wildlife Veterinarian Jenn Ballard said the animal had severely worn, broken, and missing teeth and its stomach was empty.
AGFC officials said further examination will involve testing for viruses and toxins. Tissue from the animal will also be sent to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California – Davis.