Minneapolis Intends to Stuff and Display Rare Mountain Lion

That Mountain Lion that was spotted roaming around Minneapolis earlier this month will now be on display for the public to see.

The mountain lion was caught on several outdoor cameras between December 4th and 6th before being hit and killed on Interstate 394 by a passing vehicle. The remains of the mountain lion were taken by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has now decided to have that mountain lion brought to a taxidermist and stuffed. The rarely-seen animal will go on display at the Minneapolis Park program facilities as an educational exhibit.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura said, "Many of us were captivated by the prospect of such a majestic animal living among us and were saddened to hear how it met its end. Now, there is an opportunity to give the story a happier ending."

The mountain lion traveled a long way to roam the streets of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says that a tag was found on the lion's ear and it showed that the lion made its way to Minnesota from Oglala National Grasslands in northwest Nebraska, a 650 mile trip.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is accepting donations to help with the display, anyone interested in donating can contact them Monday - Friday from 8 AM - 4:30 PM at 612-230-6400.

Mountain Lions are also commonly called cougars or pumas, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources there is no proof that Minnesota has a breeding population of the big cat, and experts think that the state may only have a few wandering mountain lions at any given time, since 2004 there have only been 51 confirmed sightings.