(WHAS11) – A large mountain lion (cougar) has been captured by an undercover trail camera at the Kentucky-Tennessee line.
This is in Obion County in West Tennessee, southwest of Murray, Kentucky and about 5 hours from Louisville. The large cat is seen roaming at night.
WHAS11 News talked with the Tennesee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Don King. He said the camera is on private property. They believe the cougar is real but they do not know if it is a wild cougar or a pet. They sent field agents to find tracks, hair or other physical evidence and could not find any.
King also added this this sighting is historic for Tennessee. It is the first confirmed sighting in the history of the state. But he agrees with the folks who run the Cougar Network. Mountain lions are now on the move.
They are traveling hundreds of miles and have been spotted in Kentucky, Missouri, Connecticut and Kansas.
Michelle LaRue of the Cougar Network told WHAS11 News that are now convinced more than ever that these animals are moving east from states like Nebraska and Wyoming. She also added, "We're seeing way too many of these sightings and reports for these cougars to be someone's exotic pet."
