Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh, My!

Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh, My!
by Ken Midkiff

In a surprise move—a surprise except to a few fearful residents in northeast Missouri—the Missouri Conservation Commission acted to place the eastern cougar, or eastern mountain lion, into the category of “extirpated” (meaning that it is no longer here). Adding insult to injury, the Commission also declared that recovery and repopulation of the mountain lion was “undesirable.”

Florida panther
Photos from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

This came as a surprise to everyone who has seen a mountain lion and came as a complete surprise to all who value the presence of a major predator in Missouri woodlands. That the mountain lion is present in Missouri is not at all in doubt. The Conservation Commission, acting upon finding and recommendations, said there was no “breeding population” in this state. MDC staffers have stated that there is no indication that there are breeding pairs, and that indeed all of the mountain lions in Missouri are male.

While there is some doubt about the presence of breeding pairs (mountain lions are notably and understandably secretive about birthing and rearing spots for their young), it is telling that what MDC staff did is no indication at all of anything. Just because they didn’t actually see young mountain lions is no indication that they’re not here. There is a strong indication that MDC didn’t see any—but to take the next step and state that, therefore, they’re not there fails the Philosophy 101 test.

Mountain lion cub
Photos from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Two things are clear: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—the agency mandated to implement and enforce the Endangered Species Act—relies on the Missouri Department of Conservation to protect, preserve, and restore endangered species in this state. MDC takes its orders from the Missouri Conservation Commission. If the Conservation Commission has declared that it would be undesirable to restore a population of mountain lions in this state, the USFWS is left with nothing. It is also clear that the Conservation Commission—and MDC staff—acted on the basis of the fears, emotions, and passions of a few misinformed individuals, and ignored facts and scientific studies.

Belatedly, the Conservation Commission decided to open up a portion of this matter for public comment. In Ozark terms, they shut the gate after the horse got out. Public comment will be accepted on the designation of “extirpated,” but not on the decision that a mountain lion population is “undesirable.” If you have an interest in this, write to:

Missouri Department of
Conservation
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102