BECKLEY, WV (SWVO) – Recent posts on social media have sparked concern and curiosity as users share images and stories of alleged mountain lion sightings in various parts of southern West Virginia.
The reports have been circulating widely, prompting questions about whether the big cats are actually present in the region.
One post in particular has gained a lot of attention, with a photo resembling what could be a mountain lion in the Beckley area.
According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), there is no confirmed population of mountain lions — also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers — living in the state.
The Eastern cougar, a subspecies once native to the region, has been officially declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Most reported sightings in West Virginia turn out to be large bobcats, coyotes, or even domestic animals viewed from a distance.
The WVDNR encourages anyone who believes they have seen a mountain lion to document the sighting with photos or videos and report it directly to the agency for investigation.
At this time, there is no confirmed evidence that mountain lions are living in southern West Virginia.
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