Ohio mountain lion sightings a mystery

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Division of Wildlife says if a mountain lion is roaming northeast Ohio, it’s a mystery where it came from.

A couple of people in the Canton area this week have reported seeing what they thought was a mountain lion. Division spokeswoman Jamey Graham told The Associated Press today that officials have checked with exotic pet owners but nobody is missing a mountain lion.

Authorities also have found no tracks or other evidence of a big cat on the loose.

Still, The Repository newspaper reports Canton is keeping people out of a nature preserve as a precaution.

Graham says Ohio hasn’t had a mountain lion population for centuries. Sightings are reported occasionally, but Graham suspects people are mistaken and don’t realize how large a mountain lion actually is.