The Missouri Department of Conservation confirms a mountain lion was photographed by a trail camera in the Current River Conservation Area near Ellington. The camera took the picture on October 10.
In a press release, the MDC stated that "widely scattered mountain lion sightings have been confirmed in Missouri and likely will continue."
The MDC believes these mountain lions are moving into Missouri from the west.
There is no evidence to suggest there is a breeding population of mountain lions in Missouri, according to the Missouri Conservation Department.
Mountain lions typically are shy towards humans and generally pose little threat, according to the MDC press release. They are protected by law, but Missouri’s Wildlife Code allows people to protect themselves if they feel threatened by a mountain lion.