Nope. They have them in other states, and I don't hear of a national Mountain Lion problem. I think they're gorgeous. They're the largest cat that can't roar. They're also the largest cat that can purr.
Stop by the Exotic Feline Rescue Center, and see one up close.
Heck, I hope they breed like crazy. . . Have you seen how much a good lion hunt costs?! I hunt some property in Parke Co. that is perfect for these things!
I think a few of them might help with our over population of deer. We do need to let people know that they are around and how to deal with them if they run into one. They will attack people. Seems they will attack anything they see as running from them. This seems to trigger attacks in the western states. Especially on running trails in the wooded areas.
So, I wonder when the numbers will grow large enough and there are enough pets, livestock, and people attacked that people start clamoring to trim back the number of cougars? Guess it is just a matter of time...
I don't think it would be as bad as bears would be. They like fresh meat if I remember right. I believe if there is enough game in the area, they will avoid people for the most part.
That's what caused the problem, in the first place, for both Coyotes and Mountain Lion. It's taken over a century just to reintroduce an emergent population.
There have been pictures of ONE, that came from who-knows-where. I don't think that counts as a "re-introduction" or an "emergent population". Even if more are out there, I don't consider them a threat. OTOH, might I take appropriate precautions if I was out hiking/jogging/camping in southern Indiana? Abso-friggin-lutely.
Killing them, unless you can prove you were defending yourself, will get you thrown in jail. They're protected animals in Indiana. I'd have to say that I'd definitely be a lot more on edge going deer hunting in the mornings (before sunrise) if I knew there was one in the immediate vicinity.