Missouri Department of Conservation Investigating Hunter's Killing of Mountain Lion

Iron Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is investigating the shooting of a mountain lion by a hunter in Iron County over the weekend.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing, and further details have not yet been released. According to the MDC’s website, the most recent confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in Missouri occurred on February 13, 2024, when a game camera captured an image of the animal in Maries County. A prior sighting was recorded on January 4, 2024, in Pulaski County. Mountain lions are rarely seen in Missouri. Since 1994, the state has confirmed 120 sightings of the elusive animal, most of which were documented through trail cameras or other remote monitoring systems. The MDC continues to monitor mountain lion activity across the state and advises the public to report any potential sightings.

Additional information about the current investigation will be released as it becomes available.