FRANKFORT, Ky. (WHAS1) — Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources are asking people to be alert after receiving two credible but unconfirmed sightings of a mountain lion or other large feline.
The reports came from the Anchorage area of Jefferson County last week.
Two Louisville Metro animal control officers reported seeing what they thought might be a mountain lion or unusually large cat, and a homeowner snapped a photo of the animal. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials responded quickly to the reports.
Conservation officers and wildlife biologists found no tracks or other evidence at the site to support the reports. However, they considered those reports credible and interviewed area residents as well as the two officers making the initial report.
A homeowner snapped a distant photo of the animal that is in question. The photo was taken from an elevated deck. The image is blurred but biologists were able to estimate measurements based on surrounding plant life. Their analysis found the animal pictured in the photo is significantly smaller than a mountain lion but larger than a typical housecat.
WHAS 11 News asked wildlife expert, Dr. Mark Wourms of Bernheim Forest his thoughts.
"I think this is probably an extra-large housecat, because a normal housecat is like this, a big housecat is like that, but a mountain lion is 5, 6, 7 feet and stands 30 inches high at the shoulder so it's quite a different kind of animal," Wourms said.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is continuing to monitor the reports. Trail cameras were put in place in an attempt to clearly identify the animal. Anyone spotting an animal fitting the description above should not approach it but call Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549. In case of an emergency, please call 911.