Sioux Falls mountain lion euthanized, not relocated

State wildlife officials cite public safety concerns in decision to put down the animal

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:33am

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A mountain lion found along the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls on March 18 was euthanized after showing no fear of humans. State wildlife leaders say they followed a long-standing protocol, noting such sightings near Sioux Falls are rare and usually involve transient cats passing through. The Sioux Falls Zoo says they were not contacted during the response.

Why it matters

Mountain lion sightings near urban areas can raise public safety concerns, leading wildlife officials to sometimes euthanize the animals rather than attempt relocation. This case highlights the challenges of managing wildlife-human interactions in growing cities like Sioux Falls.

The details

The mountain lion found in Sioux Falls was euthanized after it displayed no fear of humans, a concerning behavior that wildlife officials say posed a risk to public safety. State leaders say they followed standard protocols in their response, though the Sioux Falls Zoo claims they were not contacted during the incident.

  • A mountain lion was found along the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls on March 18, 2026.

The players

Sioux Falls Zoo

A local zoo that says it was not contacted about the mountain lion incident, despite typically being involved in such wildlife responses.

State wildlife leaders

Officials who made the decision to euthanize the mountain lion found in Sioux Falls, citing public safety concerns and long-standing protocols.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges cities like Sioux Falls face in managing wildlife-human interactions, where public safety concerns can sometimes lead to the euthanization of animals rather than relocation efforts.