ARKANSAS, USA — A mountain lion has been spotted in Arkansas, and it was first captured on a game camera in Clark County.
With modern gun deer season starting this Saturday, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) said there's a possibility that you could see the big cat this weekend.
The AGFC believes the mountain lion is from Wyoming or South Dakota. There have been about 20 reported sightings in the last 10-15 years in Arkansas.
"We've had them here for a long, long time. They were pretty much hunted out early last century," said Keith Stephens with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, mountain lions are a threatened species that is native to the Americas.
The organization said that there are thousands of them still in the wild, but their numbers are low because of hunting and habitat destruction.
"So, they range from hundreds of miles away and usually they are just passing through," said Stephens.
Though the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission doesn't track the mountain lion population or their migrating patterns, they believe the animal is traveling south to either Texas or Louisiana.
They said big cats are typically shy and will go in the other direction if they hear noises while walking through.
However, if you do see the animal don't be alarmed.
Mountain lions are shy and tend to stay away from humans. AGFC recommends you don't run away from the animal, but instead back away slowly to get away.
It is illegal to kill a mountain lion unless it's in self-defense.
If you see the animal and get a picture you can send it to AGFC.