The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a picture taken by a trail camera in Madison County is that of a mountain lion.
Our sister station WHO-TV reports the photo was taken on a farm about 10 miles north of Winterset in rural Madison County, Iowa just before 7 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2013.
A spokesperson for the Iowa DNR said the mountain lion is a three- to four-year-old male that probably traveled to Iowa from South Dakota.
The DNR has received more than 1,000 reports of mountain lion sightings since 2000, but most could not be verified and many are from people who mistake bobcats or dogs for a mountain lion.
The DNR also says it expects to have fewer mountain lions in Iowa in the future, because hunting limits for the big cat in South Dakota are being raised.
The DNR confirmed a mountain lion was spotted by a trail camera in Clinton County in 2011. They were unable to locate the animal, though.
1) DON’T RUN! Running will stimulate certain animals to chase you (like a dog that wants to bite you, especially if you run).
2) Stand tall, look big, puff up, and lift your coat over your shoulders.
3) Take control of the situation. Scream loudly, throw objects.
4) Gather children in close and slowly back away keeping your eyes on the animal.
5) If attacked, fight back vigorously with sharp objects and poke the eyes of the animal.
