Saturday, April 1st, an Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Wildlife Services officer killed a large mountain lion in western Cimmaron County. The lion had been observed killing sheep.
The mountain was reported to an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation game warden by a landowner. Because this was a situation of depredation or destruction of property, the game warden turned it over to the Wildlife Services Division of the Agriculture Department.
Officials from both departments said that protocol to deal with the situation worked well. While most wild animals are not likely to harm humans, this particular cat was exhibiting behavior that was predatory near the house.
In the state of Oklahoma, there is no season on mountain lions. However, they can be taken year-round “when committing or about to commit depredation on any domesticated animal or when deemed an immediate safety hazard.” Those who kill a mountain lion must immediately contact a game warden. Within 24 hours of the kill, the carcass must be presented to a game warden for biological data collection, which may include the removal of teeth.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation asks that mountain lion sightings be reported by filling out a form on their website by clicking here.
Oklahoma Outdoors 