Mountain lion on west side of Springfield, state Department of Natural Resources reports

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is advising residents on the west side of Springfield that a mountain lion is currently roaming the area.

The cougar was detected by satellite on the west side Wednesday morning and has remained there for much of the day, mostly sleeping in a secluded area. The detection was made possible by a GPS collar that was attached to the cougar last year by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as part of a research project.

Conservation police and local authorities are currently monitoring the animal's movement and notifying people about the presence of the mountain lion. IDNR is also cooperating with biologists in Nebraska on its continued movements.

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People are asked to leave it alone, as mountain lions are a protected species in Illinois and are illegal to kill unless they pose an imminent threat to person or property.

If they do run into the mountain lion, they are asked to stand tall, wave their arms, throw rocks or yell, while slowly backing away and keeping an eye on the animal.

The mountain lion is expected to leave the area later tonight.

It's the second time in a week that a mountain lion has been detected in Illinois, with a cougar that traveled into northern Illinois being killed by a vehicle on Interstate 88 near DeKalb last weekend.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: State tracking mountain lion on west side of Springfield