A female mountain lion was shot and killed late Monday by a landowner near the Miner County town of Howard, according to a statement from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks.
Howard is more than 300 miles from the natural habitat of South Dakota's Mountain Lion population in the Black Hills.
Wildlife officials have not determined the origin of this lion, but Tony Leif, GF&P Wildlife Division Director, said it is less common for female lions than male lions to travel long distances from their natural habitat.
"These are highly mobile animals, and they are capable of
moving very long distances," Leif said.
Farm dogs had the lion cornered under a granary, said Ron Schauer, GF&P
Regional Game Manager.
The cat, who weighed 70 pounds and was 6 feet long from
nose to tail, had slightly injured one of the landowner's dogs.
Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer Jeremy Roe investigated the
situation and concluded the shooting was justified because of the protection
of the landowner's property and livestock, the statement said.
Officials estimate the lion was less than 2 years old. The body will be
taken to South Dakota State University for necropsy. They will check its
general condition, stomach contents, check for diseases and parasites and
try to determine from where the cat came, according to the GF&P.