Investigation of Possible Mountain Lion Attack Begins
Investigation of Possible Mountain Lion Attack Begins Save Email Print
Posted: 2:14 PM Aug 27, 2007
 Last Updated: 10:16 AM Aug 28, 2007
 Reporter: 13news
43 comments Map
A | A | A

Kansas Wildlife and Parks is investigating an incident involving a Wabaunsee High School teen, who says he was attacked by what appeared to be a mountain lion while jogging early Saturday morning.

17 year old Wayne Flerlage reports he was jogging two miles east of Alma in Wabaunsee County around 12:30 Saturday morning when a large cat came up behind him and knocked him down.

Flerlage says he pushed the cat away and then kicked it under the chin, chasing it away. Flerlage has scratches and cuts on his arms and chest.

Flerlage's mother, Diane, who works at Wabaunsee High School tells 13 News that Wayne is an avid runner and was out on a workout when he was surprised by the attack. She says her son, who preferred not to be interviewed, thinks the cat was curious and not looking at him as prey.

In the past, the state has contended there are no mountain lions in Kansas, but 13 News has reported several sightings by people who say they spotted a mountain lion at several locations in NE Kansas.
More Stories
Palin Takes To Web For Hints On Future

Spirit Of Kansas Recap

Obama Seeks New U.S.-Russian Relationship

Ex-NFL QB Steve McNair Shot To Death

 Former D.C. Mayor Barry Charged With Stalking

Somali Pirates Release Belgian Ship, Crew

Air France Plane Did Not Break Up In Flight - Report

Six Killed In London High-Rise Fire
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: karly Location: topeka on Mar 16, 2009 at 04:22 PM
i think that everyone has an openion but i think there is a possibility
Posted by: Nathan Location: El Dorado on Mar 13, 2009 at 07:07 AM
My girlfriend and I were checking our limb lines one summer morning at dawn on the Walnut river just east of Eldorado. From our small jon boat she spotted a large cat and told me to look. What we saw looked to be black but the sun was not fully up yet. We made eye contact with the cat for several seconds and it was unmistakingly a large cat, at least 60 plus pounds. When the cat knew we saw it it slowly walked away. We were no more than twenty feet away from the cat. Its tail was huge. The owners of the house on the river who let us fish on their property claim that they have heard strange noises leading them to believe that something was killing small animals in the woods across the river. I know what I saw that morning but I havn't seen it since. I hope to one day spot the cat again with a camera in hand to proove the presence of these beautiful animals in the state of Kansas.
Posted by: Ann Location: Kansas on Nov 30, 2008 at 07:26 PM
To Matt & Rich in Topeka who made the snide remarks on 8/29/07 about jefferson county's comment on Aug 28, 2007 about seeing a big black cat. You both doubted that there are large black cats in KS. Well, believe it. My Dad shot one when I was a kid. It was down at the river behind our house feeding on fish. The large black cats are in the U.S. and are called a jaguarundi. Don't be so quick to point a make fun of others who say they have seen them. As far as cougars and mountain lions in KS. They were here first and were called prairie lions. They were forced into the mountains because the hunters began shooting their main meal (deer) and an influx of people into the animals domain left them little choice but to retreat to the mountains. If you want to continue to deny the fact that there are mountain lions/cougars and jaguarundi in KS, then you had best be prepared to be their next h'orderve.
Posted by: Logan Location: Topeka on Nov 28, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I saw a large, blck cat cross the road ahead of me while driving my Fedex route about 4 years ago. I figured it to be near 45 pounds, it was about the same size as our black lab. This was 9 mi NE of Pomona. I also hear one every once in a while at my inlaws out in Overbrook. Unmistakable sound.
Posted by: nunyah Location: wamego on May 27, 2008 at 04:21 PM
a local game warden told me that they brought in tagged cougars also we've always seen them, just becuase there is a state line don't mean that the cats can't cross it
Posted by: Dale Location: Eureka on Nov 27, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Back in the early 80's while bow hunting deer, I rattled in a young cougar who came to see what all the noise was about, probably weight around 60 to 75 pounds. I seen him coming from 75 yards away and I was ready for the shot. He stoped facing me at 40 yards and sit down on his butt giving me a full front shot. I shot and hit about an inch or two below his butt and the arrow flopped up and hit him in the face and he cat screamed and took a swipe at the arrow with his left paw and ran off. I've hunted the area for thousands of hours ever since and I haven't seen even a track since. I beleive the Greenwood Historical Museum has newspaper records of a black cat taken on upper fall river North of Eureka back in the 1920's. Picture included.
Posted by: Bob Location: Ft. Smith on Sep 9, 2007 at 02:47 PM
I was lived eight miles south of Alma on Hwy 99 as a youth, my brothers and I have vived memories of two different sightings of of large cats, both were black, and no, drugs weren't involved, they have been there all along, I pray the beautiful cats stay for ever.
Posted by: smiley Location: somewhere over the rainbow on Aug 31, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Hey this is to Barry Bonds. Your comment was priceless. Thanks for putting a lighter spin on all of this.
Posted by: me Location: kansas on Aug 30, 2007 at 01:14 PM
sure there are big cats in kansas---we have an overabundance of deer---probably a big cats favorite meal. big cats will thin deer population. if they have not been put here in the state to control the deer population, and turkey population then they have wandered in and said "yum yum, not much competition. think i will stay!"
Posted by: Manhattan on Aug 30, 2007 at 04:08 AM
I have seen on 5 miles East of Manhattan in the field by our house, and my husband has seen one on the shoulder of hwy 24 one early morning on his way to work by blackjack rd. Saw a baby down the driveway at about 6 a.m. They are here just because the KDWP says they arn't are just being told to say that or they need to have a first hand experience. They are with us and with building they are running out of room to live we are pushing them out of the living places.
Posted by: john Location: usa on Aug 29, 2007 at 07:48 PM
they are in jefferson county. i have been a hunter and a trapper for over 30 years. my wife saw one once and i have found the tracks of another.
Posted by: Barry Bonds Location: San Francisco on Aug 29, 2007 at 06:46 PM
I am pretty sure it was my house cat, he got into my medicine cabinet last week and i haven't seen him since
Posted by: Teresa Location: Corning on Aug 29, 2007 at 05:50 PM
As many others here are saying, I have also seen a cougar in Northeast Kansas. It was on Mother's Day 2006 afternoon on Hwy 75 about 1/2 mile north of Jackson Heights High School in Northern JAckson county. It was a bright sunshine filled afternoon, the fully grown cougar crossed the road directly in front of our truck in full view leaving no doubt what so ever as to what it was. KDWP basically told me I would need pictures of the cougar to prove it. Needless to say, I didn't go looking....
Posted by: Anonymous Location: NE Kansas on Aug 29, 2007 at 04:59 PM
I don't want to step on any feet here but the theory that KDWP is stocking or has stocked the big cats is crazy. Why would they spend the money to bring in the cats when they could just sell more deer tags? More money would be generated as well as a much more effective method of deer herd control. Also they have never said "No, there are no mnt. lions in KS." All KDWP is saying is that they need solid proof before they can confirm. It is my opinion that 99% of sightings are false. Too many people say they have seen them for there not to be a confirmation. It will be a bow hunter or the likes that spends the time in the woods that proves it and not some city folk that spotted a yellow lab out for a run. Just my thoughts...
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lawrence on Aug 29, 2007 at 03:11 PM
to Diane in Alma-I am so glad your son is okay. Did KDWP confirm it was a mountain lion yet?
Posted by: Deb Location: Berryton on Aug 29, 2007 at 01:23 PM
It dosen't suprise me, my husband saw a cougar this past May down on the abandoned rail tracks not that far from our home, I didn't know what to think at first until one evening around sunset I saw the same cougar on the other side of the tracks from our home. My neighbor also spotted it in the same area.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2007 at 01:01 PM
Common names Cougar, mountain lion, puma, panther, catamount Color Cougars vary in color from reddish-brown to tawny to gray with a black tip on their tail. Kittens have black spots.
Posted by: Dan Location: Leavenworth on Aug 29, 2007 at 12:16 PM
To Matt the smart *** from 29th and Gage - well "supposedly the state says" there aren't any mountain lions/cougars around this area either but looks like somebody was wrong about that too!
Posted by: Sloop John on Aug 29, 2007 at 12:15 PM
To Matt from Topeka, I believe you need to keep all possibilities out there and this is a fact that they are out there. We are not talking about off-the-wall stuff like UFO sightings or that there is a boogie man, which you may well believe, but that other people have seen them, and you being in Topeka and spewing such sewage for observations need to keep an open mind on this subject and listen to these folks.
Posted by: Diane Location: Alma on Aug 29, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Hats off to the officers and biologists of KDWP and Extension offices regarding the investigation of Wayne's encounter last weekend. You've proven to my family that your departments have the public's best interests at heart. We will continue to enjoy the beautiful Flint Hills in which we live in the way God intended us to - right smack in the middle of nature. We plan on doing it in pairs now! -Diane Flerlage
Posted by: jamesg on Aug 29, 2007 at 12:03 PM
It would not surprise me if this was a factual encounter. I grew up in rural Wabaunsee County and have first hand seen these big cats. As a young boy, I remember farmers from the area talking about them in and around Mill Creek, but it would take an encounter with one to prove me otherwise. My wife and I were taking her Grandma home from a birthday party that evening. It was about eight in the evening before it got dark in the summer and sitting up on this giant rock wall was a cougar. At first I thought maybe I was hallucinating, but my wife's grandmother confirmed what i had seen that she had seen the big cat in and around the area on a few occassions of where she lives. I do not care to speculate whether the rumor that the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife put them here years ago to control the surging deer population is true, but take it from this old boy the cats are alive and well in Wabaunsee county.
Posted by: rich Location: topeka on Aug 29, 2007 at 11:56 AM
to that guy in jefferson county if your seeing black panthers what kind of stuff are you taking
Posted by: Carole Location: Anywhere on Aug 29, 2007 at 11:45 AM
With the deer population being what it is, it only makes sense that their predators are there as well.
Posted by: matt Location: Topeka 29th Gage on Aug 29, 2007 at 01:34 AM
to the guy in jefferson county a black panther yeah ok!!! in that case i was walking on shunga trail and saw Sasquatch (big foot)
Posted by: Joe Hawkinson Location: Manhattan, KS on Aug 28, 2007 at 11:05 PM
My family of 13 watched a large orange colored cat with a long tail chase down, and kill a deer in the KSU equine research fields behind our house just north of Manhattan. We saw it the next day laying out in the pasture about 200 yards away. After we called the KDWP & the Police, they came out and we took turns watching through binoculars as the officers approached it & blew a whistle to scare it away.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Junction City on Aug 28, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Where in Manhattan did you see the cougar?
Posted by: Jim Location: Osage County on Aug 28, 2007 at 08:36 PM
I have seen a big cat(s)(cougar/mtn lion) on 3 different occasions on and around 189th/Croco Rd to Ratner Rd (twice in the last 10 months). I know what they look like from seeing these cats up close in the Black Hills SD and Colorado wilderness areas. My daughter has made one viewing on Croco 1/5 mile north of 189th within the last year. I also observed a injured deer running out of wolf creek area on 189th with extensive bloody scars across it's back. I ride Mtn Bikes extensively in the area and carry pepper spray at ALL times. Sorry - I believe these cats have been purposely introduced to Kansas.
Posted by: jon Location: shawnee county on Aug 28, 2007 at 08:05 PM
1998 my family and I saw a mountain lion at what is now I-70 and croco road. We got a very close look! There's at least one out there.
Posted by: Kim Location: Topeka on Aug 28, 2007 at 04:38 PM
About two yrs ago I lived in Wellington KS 26 miles outside of Wichita. I was on my way to work on the turnpike. Right before the Mulvane exit I had hit a Mountain Lion. It jumped out from no where and landed right in front of my car.
Posted by: jefferson county on Aug 28, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Depending on what area you are in, I think you'd find that there are more than just cougars out there. I saw what appeared to be a black panther near one of Hamms Quarries a few years ago and there was no mistaking it for anything other than what it was!
Posted by: cathy Location: Topeka on Aug 28, 2007 at 11:20 AM
We have seen a mountain lion on NW 62nd and Leedy Road it came out of the fields and walked down the street. We called and they sent a dog catcher out to take a look they said they could smell a recent kill and would not take a closer look to see what it was. They told us that there had been several calls about the sightings on Hwy 75 and to please keep an eye on our kids.
Posted by: JAN Location: MANHATTAN on Aug 28, 2007 at 10:44 AM
ON AUG 20, 2007 AROUND 1 PM WHILE I WAS OUT WALKING I SAW A COUGAR. IT WAS DEFINATELY A COUGAR BECAUSE IT HAD A LONG TAIL BUT IT WASN'T A FULL GROWN ADULT YET. A GAME WARDEN CAME OUT TO INVESTIGATE.
Posted by: Ben Location: Jefferson County on Aug 28, 2007 at 10:40 AM
I have seen two moutain lions near Lake Perry last winter. I now have a camera phone and I WILL get a photo of it next time.
Posted by: Brandon Location: St Marys on Aug 28, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Wayne, you are very fortunate. Make no mistake, curiosity was not this cat's motivation. My guess is the animal had fed recently enought that it wasn't hungry enough to commit to a fight. I have been fortunate enough to see mountain lions around here on two occasions, once in a milo field behind our house in Emmett, and another sighting on the road coming home from work around midnight
Posted by: Stan Location: Wabaunsee Co. on Aug 28, 2007 at 06:36 AM
I got a good long look at a cougar along hywy 177 north of Council Grove in 1998. I stopped the truck in the road, and it walked across the road in front of me. It was no bobcat, being that big and with a long tail.
Posted by: Stephanie Location: Topeka on Aug 27, 2007 at 11:07 PM
My grandmother says she saw a mountain lion in her yard on more than one occasion over the years. She lived in Marion County. At her age she knew the difference between a mountain lion and a bob cat.
Posted by: Rob Location: Lecompton, KS on Aug 27, 2007 at 10:50 PM
In October 2006, we pulled over at the old Stuckey's building off I-70, near the Alma exit(to change babies' diapers). While sitting in the driveway, facing East, my wife and I both saw a mountain lion waliking just our side of the tree line across the street. We got a good look at it as we were pulling back onto the interstate, and there is no doubt that it was a cougar. Recently, near home, we have had neighbors who have spotted a big cat - possibly a cat who makes it's home base at the old Big Springs Quarry. On a nature walk not too far away this year, we collected scat which looks like cougar feces and found piles of small gravel which had been marked with urine. No one is going to convince me that there are no cougars in Kansas, or that if there is, that they are just strays from Colorado. If they are strays, they're more likely to be from Missouri - who at least confesses that they do have lions in the state.
Posted by: Dave Location: Emporia on Aug 27, 2007 at 10:06 PM
I have also heard reports of a mountain lion in the area around Eureka Kansas... Some farmers have lost livestock. The mountain lions have been classified as "long tail bears" down there... ;)
WIBW Live - click live or standby for schedule
Newsroom
Photog: Doug Brown
Photog: Eric Ives
Photog: Rick Felsburg
Photog: Jovarie Downing
Photog: Blake Kresge
Reporter: Ryan Smith
13 Sports Team
Skywatch 13 Weather
CBS News livefeed

Website Ranking