Mountain lions are returning to Kansas. Here's how to tell if one has passed through your area

When you think of Kansas, you probably don't think of mountains — or mountain lions.

But in recent years, the number of sightings of mountain lions in the state has skyrocketed. There have been 117 sightings since 2007, and 65 since 2023, said Jon Beckmann, a wildlife supervisor for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.