PERRY COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) – On Monday, the Perryville Police Department shared video of what they said appeared to be mountain lions in Perry County.
But, according to wildlife experts, that may not be the case.
“Nowhere in that video did I see what would appear to be a mountain lion,” said Wildlife Damage Biologist Patrice Pyatt with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
WATCH: Thermal drone footage of unknown animal in Perry County, Mo.
The thermal drone footage depicts an animal that was believed to be a mountain lion in the Perryville area.
Pyatt said there are characteristics that clearly show why that is not the case.
“With a mountain lion, you’re going to have obviously a larger-sized animal, you know, slender in its build and long,” she explained. “It’s going to have that long tail, a tail that’s, you know, as long as its body. It’s going to have that cat look whenever it walks, it’s going to have a head that’s smaller.”
We talked to some Perryville residents who watched the video to hear their thoughts about what they saw.
“Well, honestly, it really shocked me. The only time that I’ve seen anything like this was in the Arizona area out west. It never occurred to me that there might be mountain lions in Perry County,” said one resident.
“I think Perryville has just grown into a habit. These animals are there. And you’re going to have this butting of the heads, and hopefully it doesn’t come down to something tragic. It’s just normal life,” said another resident.
Pyatt told Heartland News there are a few big cat indicators that you should keep an eye on.
“If you see an animal, a dead animal, a carcass that’s been covered up by leaves or other sticks or debris, that’s a pretty obvious sign that there could be a cat in the area,” she said.
While the video does not show a confirmed mountain lion, Pyatt said we do have them in Missouri. But chances of running into one are slim.
“It’s just important to keep those, you know, very common sense things in mind and just get their space,” she said. “And like I said, most of the time there’s going to be no issue whatsoever.”
Officials with the MDC say they are continuing to analyze the footage to determine what exactly the animals are.
If you do spot a wild animal and would like it confirmed by the MDC, click here for more information.
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