KINGSTON, Arkansas — Amid social media posts claiming sightings of mountain lions in Arkansas, the state's Game and Fish Commission is setting the record straight.
One woman's Facebook post on Aug. 13 described two mountain lions following her for over a mile back to her car during a hiking trip near Hawksbill Crag, in the Northwest region of Arkansas.
5NEWS sat down for an interview with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Spokesperson Trey Reid, who confirmed their office did receive reports and even an alleged photograph of a mountain lion in the area of Hawksbill Crag.
"Unfortunately, the photograph was inconclusive— it was hard to tell what kind of animal it was, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a mountain lion, just that the physical evidence was inconclusive," Reid said. "We get a number of reported mountain lion sightings a year, and we have confirmed 23 of those since 2010, I believe."
In February 2024, the AGFC confirmed a dead mountain lion was found in northern Stone County at the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area.
Reid said the AGFC does not have evidence to suggest there is a breeding population of mountain lions, despite the occasional sighting.
"All of the evidence we have suggests that these mountain lions are transitory males. Typically, when males are about two years old, they strike out to set up a new territory," Reid said. "They can travel hundreds if not thousands of miles in some cases."
Reid also points out that some mountain lions could have been spotted multiple times as the males move around. He states the AGFC has scientific evidence that a mountain lion traveled hundreds of miles over just six weeks before it was killed by a deer hunter in Bradley County in 2014.
When asked about reports of a black mountain lion, Reid noted there has never been a confirmed case of a black mountain lion in the history of wildlife management.
Although Reid said it is unlikely for Arkansans to run into a mountain lion, he offered some helpful tips to keep in mind just in case.
Tips if you see a mountain lion
- Don't try to run away or turn your back
- Try to make yourself seem larger, spread your arms, and don't crouch down
- Make noise
Reid finished the interview by reminding Arkansas residents to send AGFC any photos, videos, or testimony surrounding rare animal sightings.
Residents can also visit the AGFC website here to learn more.
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