Cougar Killed On I-394 Will Be Taxidermied, Displayed In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — The cougar that was repeatedly spotted on camera in Minneapolis before it was killed in a vehicle wreck on Interstate 394 on Dec. 6 will be taxidermied and featured in a new educational display, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced Wednesday.

The "Minneapolis Mountain Lion" began generating attention when it was spotted on camera and left footprints in the snow on Dec. 4. It entered Kenwood Park and continued through the Cedar Lake trail system near the Lake of the Isles

"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," said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura in a statement.

"Now, there is an opportunity to give the story a happier ending. I’m appreciative of the DNR and community members coming together to help educate future generations on the wonderful variety of wildlife that can be found in our city."

The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the crash on westbound I-394 near Theodore Wirth Parkway at about 2:15 a.m. on Dec. 6. The driver struck the cougar, swerved, and then hit the center concrete median, the State Patrol said.

The 53-year-old male driver was not hurt, but the cougar died at the scene.

After its death, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources took custody of the mountain lion’s remains and is now working with the MPRB to send it to a taxidermist.

A tag on the lion’s ear revealed he had walked 650 miles from the Oglala National Grasslands in northwest Nebraska to Minneapolis in search of mates, territory, and food, officials said.

The DNR and MPRB are collaborating to taxidermy the mountain lion and mount it as part of an educational display for the public to see.

The MPRB said it will share more as details are worked out.