Cougar sightings in Louisiana not that long ago were considered
figments of the imagination of spooked hunters, hikers and
others in the outdoors. A citizen sent LDWF a trail camera
picture taken Aug. 13, 2011. LDWF Large Carnivore Program
Manager Maria Davidson and biologist Brandon Wear conducted a
site investigation that confirmed the authenticity of the
photograph. “It is quite possible for this animal to be captured
on other trail cameras placed at deer bait sites,” Davidson
said. “Deer are the primary prey item for cougars; therefore,
they are drawn to areas where deer congregate.” It is unlikely
this cougar will remain in any one area longer than it would
take to consume a kill. Cougars do not prefer to eat spoiled
meat and will move on as soon as the Louisiana heat and humidity
take its toll on the kill. “It is impossible to determine if the
animal in the photograph is a wild, free-ranging cougar, or an
escaped captive,” Davidson added. “Although it is illegal to own
a cougar in Louisiana, it is possi