Confirmed Locations of Mountain Lion Sightings in Iowa Is

Outdoor enthusiasts long claimed that mountain lions were back in the state of Iowa. It might have taken a while, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources agrees. The big cats are back. But why are they here, and how many are in the state of Iowa?

Early Mountain Lion Sightings in Iowa

Sightings began rising in the mid-1990s in Iowa. At that time, the Iowa DNR called these animals "free-ranging" mountain lions. These cats were either roaming into the state from states west of Iowa, or they were cougars that were privately owned that either escaped or were released. A July 1, 2007, law put an end to owning 'dangerous wild animals' like mountain lions in the state.

Confirmed and Highly Probable Mountain Lion Sightings in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources keeps track of confirmed and highly probable mountain lion sightings in the state. According to a report, the DNR uses methods including roadkill, shot and killed, verified photos, verified tracks, and sightings in compiling its data. Over 2,000 mountain lion sightings have been reported since 2010. Here are the confirmed reports.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

What Years Were There the Most Sightings in Iowa?

The report shows that in 2022, there were 12 confirmed mountain lion sightings in Iowa, and in 2023, there were 11 more. Many of these sightings were confirmed thanks to photos and trailcams, like the one below near Indianola in 2023.

Despite the clear presence of the big cats in Iowa, DNR officials stress that there is no documented self-sustained breeding population of mountain lions in Iowa. They continue to be animals simply wandering through Iowa, enjoying the scenery and looking for food.

Why Are Mountain Lions Back in Iowa?

Stop me if you've heard this rumor before. Officials introduced mountain lions in Iowa to help control the deer population. Not true. The Iowa DNR stated that officials never 'stocked' mountain lions in Iowa and never will. But food is one main reason they stop by the Hawkeye state. Iowa has plenty of deer for a hungry mountain lion to enjoy.

Are Mountain Lions a Protected Species in Iowa?

Currently, mountain lions have no legal status in the state of Iowa and no protection through Iowa law. DNR officials do not support indiscriminately shooting the animals and have asked for legislation to be passed to designate mountain lions as furbearers, which would allow the DNR to manage the population.