RESIDENTS SURPRISED TO LEARN MOUNTAIN LION HAS BEEN ROAMING THE AREA

The weekend news of a mountain lion being hit and killed by a vehicle on I-88 in DeKalb County has taken residents by surprise.

The accident happened on Sunday, according to The Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The mountain lion, or cougar, was taken to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for a necropsy.

Many are reporting in social media that they have seen mountain lions in the area through the years, while others are shocked to learn they are roaming the area.

As shared in a recent CBS news report, Mountain lions have been protected in Illinois since 2015, and may not he hunted, killed, or harassed unless they pose an imminent threat to a person or property, the IDNR said. It is very rare that this happens – but if it does, and the mountain lion will not leave, the IDNR advises that people should stand tall, wave their arms, throw stones or other projectiles, and refrain from yelling. People also should not run, but rather back away while keeping an eye on the animal.

The recent news has sparked the interest of many. To learn more about the animal visit https://mountainlion.org/about-mountain-lions/frequently-asked-questions/#Population