Mountain lion sightings confirmed in southern Illinois by DNR

5 articles, oldest first.

1. NBC Chicago

   Multiple mountain lion sightings reported in southwestern Illinois ↗ (opens NBC Chicago)

   Published Sep 17, 2026

   NBC Chicago's feed description

   Gaia, a 3.5-year-old female mountain lion (Puma concolor), is pictured at the Las Pumas Rescue and Sanctuary Center in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on April 17, 2025. The Las Pumas (cat) Rescue Center is located in an old farmland called Hacienda La Pacifica, in the heart of the Area de Conservación Guana…

2. ABC 7 Chicago

   Multiple sightings of mountain lion reported in southern Illinois, IDNR says ↗ (opens ABC 7 Chicago)

   Published Sep 17, 2026

   ABC 7 Chicago's feed description

   A mountain lion may have made a temporary home in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it received reports of multiple sightings in two counties.

3. Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)

   Mountain lion sightings confirmed in southern Illinois by DNR ↗ (opens Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW))

   Published Sep 18, 2026

   Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)'s feed description

   Officials state this is the 12th confirmed mountain lion in IL since 2002.

4. St. Louis Post-Dispatch

   Southern Illinois mountain lion sighting follows several in Missouri ↗ (opens St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

   Published Sep 18, 2026

   St. Louis Post-Dispatch's feed description

   Mountain lions have been spotted in adjacent areas of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois in recent months. But it's unclear whether it's the same animal.

5. St. Louis Post-Dispatch

   Mountain lion sighting reported in southern Ill. ↗ (opens St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

   Published Sep 20, 2026

   St. Louis Post-Dispatch's feed description

   Officials have confirmed a recent mountain lion sighting in southern Illinois, and it comes just a couple months after similar reports across the Mississippi River in Missouri.