America is home to some of the fiercest big cats on the globe. However, sometimes, even ones that aren’t indigenous to the country seemingly pop up out of nowhere.
From panthers to mountain lions, we’ll delve into the strange encounters residents all across the Midwest have been having and why big cats might be increasing in numbers.
In the state of Kansas, in less than a year, sightings of big cats have increased dramatically, with 12 encounters. Cougars have been confirmed by researchers to be wandering states like Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, and other Midwestern states.
This begs the question. Why are big cats moving inward towards the heart of the country?America is home to some of the most formidable big cats on the planet. But lately, sightings of these elusive predators—some not even native to the U.S.—have been cropping up in unexpected places.
From panthers to mountain lions, residents across the Midwest are reporting eerie encounters. In Kansas alone, big cat sightings have surged, with 12 confirmed cases in under a year. Meanwhile, cougars have been spotted roaming through states like Michigan, Iowa, and Minnesota.
This raises a pressing question: Why are these apex predators pushing further into the heartland?
A Panther in Missouri
Vicki Sanders, a longtime Missouri resident, was no stranger to wildlife. But one morning, she stepped out of her car and saw something she never expected—a black panther, lurking in the shadows.
Terrified, she ran inside and called 911. When she told the dispatcher she was being stalked by a black panther, there was a long pause, followed by a request to repeat herself. It sounded too bizarre to be true.
By the time a police officer arrived, the panther had crept up to her son’s bedroom window, seemingly trying to get inside. With no other choice, the officer took the animal down. That’s when he noticed something chilling—the panther had been declawed, suggesting it was once someone’s pet.
Another Panther Sighting—Miles Away
Douglas McLin had a similar encounter while mowing his lawn. He first noticed his dog cowering beneath his truck, visibly frightened. Then, movement in the trees caught his eye.
It wasn’t his dog—it was something much larger. A panther, just like the one Vicki Sanders had seen.
The problem? Panthers aren’t supposed to be here. These animals are native to Florida, Texas, and parts of the Southwest. Yet somehow, they were appearing in Missouri.
A Mountain Lion Caught on Camera in Kansas
Cristin Boyle wasn’t trying to track wildlife—she just wanted to keep burglars away. She installed security cameras outside her Wichita home, expecting to catch trespassers. Instead, she recorded something far more shocking.
In the early hours of a Monday morning, a mountain lion prowled past her house. Stunned, she contacted the Kansas Department of Wildlife, which later confirmed the sighting.
Another Cougar in the Neighborhood
Just a week later, Scott Logan got an alert from his Ring camera. At first, he assumed it was his neighbor’s cat triggering the motion sensor. But when he checked the footage, he saw something much, much bigger.
A mountain lion had strolled right past his front door. With two small children inside, Scott was relieved it happened late at night.
What’s Driving Big Cats Into New Territory?
Wildlife experts have a few theories. Some believe human expansion is forcing deer—the main prey of big cats—to move westward. Naturally, their predators would follow.
But that doesn’t explain everything. How did panthers, which typically roam Florida and Texas, end up in Missouri? And why are sightings increasing at such a rapid rate?
One thing is certain—America’s big cats aren’t just surviving. They’re adapting and thriving.
References:
What We Learned About the Mountain Lions in Illinois in 2022
