A cougar is spotted roaming in Illinois on average every two years. But two were known to be in the state this month. One died when a car hit it on Interstate 88 in DeKalb County. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan says there’s another one first noticed in western Illinois. It was seen this week on the west edge of Springfield.
Wildlife experts say just 15% of Illinois has suitable habitat for cougars to make their homes. One spot is in the forests of southern Illinois. The other’s along the Illinois River in west central Illinois. But they could roam anywhere in the state. The animals are also often called mountain lions.
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