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animals can be killed on sight, although the state's wildlife chief is
asking residents to leave them alone.
"They are not protected in Iowa, and somebody can do anything they want
to them," said Richard Bishop, chief of the wildlife division at the
Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
In August, a full-grown mountain lion was struck by a car and killed in
Harlan. It was the first confirmed killing of one of the big cats since
1867.
Sightings continue, particularly north of Council Bluffs. There have
been several recent reports of another mountain lion, possibly with
cubs, in northern Shelby County or southern Crawford County.
Based on reports, Bishop said he believes there may be as many as three
other mountain lions roaming western Iowa.
He plans to ask lawmakers next year for legislation giving the
Department of Natural Resources authority to protect mountain lions in
the state.
For now, Bishop would like residents to leave the animals alone if the
cougars are doing no harm.
"If one is found in Iowa, we are going to discourage anybody from
bothering them if the animal is not causing any damage," Bishop said.
Nebraska enacted legislation in 1991 labeling mountain lions as a
protected game species after a rancher killed one of the animals.
Kirk Nelson, assistant director of the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission, said the few cougars in Nebraska are migrants or young males
trying to establish a territory.
Farmers often are fearful of the animals and their effect on livestock,
but Bishop said there is enough wildlife in western Iowa that cougars
may not do any harm to livestock.
If farm animals were harmed by a mountain lion, state officials likely
would destroy the cat. Any threats to people would elicit the same
reaction.
Crawford County Sheriff Tom Hogan said he received a flurry of reports
about three weeks ago, but hasn't heard about any large cats since then.
He is fascinated by the idea that cougars have returned to the state and
would like to see one.
But in coffee-shop talk around the area, some have expressed
reservations about large cougars roaming wild in the area.
"A few people want it destroyed, but others think it needs to be
captured and relocated," Hogan said.
Right now, Bishop would prefer not to relocate any animals, but that
would depend on the circumstances. |