Yesterday, Monday, October 26th, Bismarck Police investigated an unconfirmed report of a possible Mountain Lion sighting in North Bismarck. The report, which parents of Bismarck Public Schools (BPS) students received via a text message, specified the cat was believed to have been seen near Liberty Elementary. More detailed information was also conveyed to parents through email.
According to Lieutenant Luke Gardiner, officers searched the area but ultimately found no Mountain Lion. Gardiner stated that police were unsure if the initial report from the witness who called it in was credible, describing the event as "a wild Mountain Lion chase."
While North Dakota is not widely recognized as a primary habitat or "hot spot" for Mountain Lions, these animals can and do occasionally make their presence known in various parts of the "Peace Garden State." The Mountain Lion Foundation, a resource for information on these animals, identifies specific areas within North Dakota where sightings are more probable.
Of the four counties most likely to see a Mountain Lion, the Mountain Lion Foundation singles out McKenzie and Dunn counties, located in western North Dakota, as the two most probable locations for an encounter. The source notes that the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an area where these big cats are not only known to roam but also to breed. This rugged section of the Badlands offers stock cover that Mountain Lions favor for their habitat.
Despite most sightings occurring in the western part of the state, Mountain Lions possess the capability to travel great distances. Because of this extensive travel, individual cats have been documented statewide, even venturing into urban areas. Previous incidents in the Bismarck-Mandan region include a Mountain Lion spotted in a development south of Lincoln a few years back, alongside several other sightings in Bismarck-Mandan over the years.
The Missouri River corridor, which includes both Burleigh and Morton counties, is explicitly mentioned as a "Fringe County" area where Mountain Lion sightings have occurred. An incident was described involving a growl from thick cattails in backwaters of the Missouri River, south of the University of Mary. During this event, a Yellow Lab reacted strongly, its hair standing up as it recoiled several feet. The landowner of that property later confirmed three separate instances where he had Mountain Lion encounters on his land.
Further to the east, the Red River corridor, encompassing Cass, Richland, and Grand Forks counties, is categorized as a "Lesser Area" where a Mountain Lion could be seen. Sightings in these eastern regions are generally described as rare, brief, and involving a cat that is merely passing through the area.
