Cougars

The cougar (Puma concolor), also called mountain lion, is the largest felid (generally weighing 80 to 165 pounds) in North America and is a top predator native to Greater Yellowstone. As part of predator removal campaigns in the early 1900s, cougars along with wolves (Canis lupus) were killed in national parks and throughout the lower 48 states. Wolves were quickly eradicated, and although cougars were probably eliminated from Yellowstone, the species ultimately persisted in the West because of its cryptic nature and preference for rocky, rugged territory where the cats were difficult to track down. Eventually these survivors re-established their presence in Yellowstone, possibly making their way from wilderness areas in central Idaho.

Report A Sighting of this species.