Despite experts’ assertions that there are no cougars in southwest Mississippi, three recent sightings have been reported near Natchez.

Ricky Smith, who has a degree in wildlife biology and has hunted game around the world, says he saw a cougar in the woods Sunday evening. That was less that 24 hours after a married couple said they saw one cross the Natchez Trace Parkway. Another sighing placed a cougar near the Trace.

Smith says the cougar sat down and stared at him, then walked away.

Cougars are reclusive and it’s rare to see one, so Smith believes this one might have escaped captivity or been released by a pet owner.