Ohio wildlife officials check mountain lion reports

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Authorities say more unconfirmed sightings of a mountain lion in northeast Ohio include a report that the animal killed a duck.

An Ohio Division of Wildlife officer was checking out Thursday’s account from a Newcomerstown man that he saw a mountain lion attack a mallard in Tuscarawas County. The Repository newspaper in Canton reports the man said the cat appeared skinny and malnourished.

Division spokeswoman Jamey Graham says officers were hoping wet ground might show tracks or other clues toward solving the mystery behind recent sightings in Tuscarawas and Stark counties.

Graham says transportation workers in Tuscarawas County also reported seeing what they believed to be a mountain lion Thursday.

Numerous sightings were reported last week in Stark County. Officials aren’t convinced the animal is a mountain lion.