BETHALTO, Ill. (KMOX) - Police in the Metro East posted a warning to residents about a possible mountain lion sighting in a residential area this week.
The Bethalto Police Department says a man was out for a run early Tuesday morning and claimed he saw the animal run towards the public works complex near the intersection of Albers Lane and Whispering Oaks Drive. The runner says it took off into a wooded area.
Police searched for paw prints and video surveillance that may have captured the animal, but nothing has been confirmed. They reported the incident to Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
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"There is no evidence to suggest there is an established population of cougars in our area or that if this was a cougar it is still in the area," police stated. "Anyone who locates any possible evidence of the presence of a mountain lion / cougar is asked to contact the police department."
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, are known to travel long distances and police believe this one was just exploring the edges of its territory.
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