Officials Confirm Mountain Lion in Sioux Falls

Here, kitty, kitty. Well, maybe not. Sioux Falls Police are reporting that they have confirmed a mountain lion sighting in the "greenway area of downtown Sioux Falls."

Police said that on Wednesday morning, they received several reports of a mountain lion in town, including photos and video. Then Sioux Falls Animal Control worked with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) to confirm that what people saw was indeed a mountain lion. SDGFP verified that the animal was a "young mountain lion."

Is a Mountain Lion the same as a cougar, puma, or panther? In short, yes. They are all names for the same animal, a big cat native to the Americas. They can be found from North America's far north to South America's far south.

Mountain lions in South Dakota mostly live in the Black Hills. South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks estimates that there are almost 300 lions that call the Hills home nowadays. But, the big cats do roam around, often looking for mates or food.

"We share this information out of an abundance of caution. Mountain lions occasionally pass through the area, and it’s likely this one is doing just that," the SFPD said in a statement.

This is the first confirmed mountain lion sighting in Sioux Falls since 2023. In July 2023, a mountain lion was spotted on a home surveillance camera in southwest Sioux Falls.

Officials say that if you see a mountain lion in the city, please contact Sioux Falls Metro Communications at 605-367-7000 or call 911 if there is an emergency.

What To Do if You Meet a Mountain Lion

Whether you're hiking in the Black Hills or walking the dog early on a summer morning in Sioux Falls, if you come face to face with your housecat's country cousin, the same advice applies.

Mountain lion attacks are rare. There's only been a handful of reported deaths from cougar attacks, and none in South Dakota, so far.

You can go your whole life and never see one, but they are there. If they are young, especially hungry, or guarding their territory, you could get (un)lucky.

Police Confirm Mountain Lion Spotted in Sioux Falls

What To Do if You Meet a Mountain Lion

What To Do if You Meet a Mountain Lion