Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks crews are back in the Cabinet Mountains south of Libby, continuing a long-running effort to learn more about one of Montana’s most elusive residents—the mountain lion. With the help of skilled houndsmen, biologists are locating lions and collecting biological samples that give researchers a closer look at the cats roaming the Cabinets. Think of it as a wildlife check-up: the samples help scientists compare today’s lions with data from earlier studies and see how things may have changed over the years.
This work adds to more than 25 years of mountain lion research in Montana, along with updated population estimates and annual harvest data. When all that information comes together, it helps biologists better understand how lion populations respond to harvest and guides thoughtful management decisions. In other words, the more we learn about these big cats, the better equipped we are to keep Montana’s mountain lion population healthy and thriving.
Photo: AI generated
