Outforia data study · October 2026
Mountain lions, black bears and gray wolves were wiped out of most of the Midwest and East generations ago. Since 2020, wildlife agencies in nine states that lost them have confirmed lone animals wandering back, including a mountain lion confirmed in southern Illinois in September 2026. None of those agencies reports one breeding. Here is what is wandering back, what your state lost and what came back for good, checked against each state's own records.
Key findings
Wandering back
Wildlife agencies in 9 states that lost them have confirmed wandering mountain lions, black bears, gray wolves, fishers or porcupines since 2020, most recently in 2026 (Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin). None reports breeding.
One state's count
Iowa counted 59 confirmed and highly probable mountain lion sightings from 2001 to 2024, and 12 confirmed wolf sightings from 2012 to 2024. Five of the lions were females, found from 2017 to 2023; all were killed. Without females settling, there is no breeding population.
What they left behind
Illinois (11), Indiana (10) and Ohio (10) have lost the most native land mammal species. Mountain lions are listed as lost from 26 states, gray wolves from 22 and bison, as wild animals, from 32.
Wandering back
Young animals pushed out of breeding populations can travel hundreds of miles. Since 2020, wildlife agencies in 9 states where NatureServe ranks these species lost have confirmed them passing through. None of the agencies reports breeding, so the species still count as lost. The count column is the agency's own tally, in its own words and time window; where-from is what the source says about origin.
| State | Animal | Latest confirmed | Agency's count | Where from | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Mountain lion | Sept. 16, 2026 Southern Illinois; confirmed Aug. 25 from trail-camera photos, verified again Sept. 13 and 16 | 11 confirmed cougars 2002-2025, plus this one in 2026 | – | State agency |
| Iowa | Black bear | Spring 2026 Northeast Iowa | 1-2 bears this year, mostly males; one has overwintered in Dubuque County for years | Minnesota and Wisconsin | State agency |
| Missouri | Mountain lion | May 15, 2026 Polk County (seen May 2) | Listed on the Missouri Department of Conservation confirmed-report map | – | State agency |
| Wisconsin | Mountain lion | Aug. 12, 2026 Lincoln County (trail camera) | Verified sightings: 15 in 2020, 18 in 2021, 15 in 2022, 29 in 2023; 37 verified or probable in 2024 | A collared Nebraska male died in an apparent train strike in Adams County, Feb. 9, 2026 | State agency |
| Kansas | Mountain lion | 2025 | 117 sightings since 2007, 65 of them since 2023 (agency count of sightings) | Dispersing through as lions re-establish in the Great Plains | News report |
| Utah | Gray wolf | Sept. 2025 A lone male | Dispersing wolves confirmed on at least 21 occasions since 2004 | Wyoming and Idaho; a wolf from Colorado briefly entered in 2025 | State agency |
| Delaware | Black bear | June 25, 2024 Route 1 (killed by a car) | Four bears since 2016 (2016, 2019, 2020, 2024) | Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey | State agency |
| Illinois | Black bear | July 2024 Saline, Pope, Williamson and Jackson counties | Six bears confirmed 2008-2020; confirmed sightings in four southern counties in July 2024 (one bear or more) | Missouri and Wisconsin populations | State agency |
| Iowa | Gray wolf | Feb. 2024 Scott County (found dead) | 12 confirmed wolf sightings 2012 to Sept. 2024 | Great Lakes population (the three with DNA origin results since 2020) | State agency |
| Iowa | Mountain lion | 2024 | 59 confirmed and highly probable sightings 2001 to Sept. 2024; five females 2017-2023, all killed | South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming | State agency |
| Illinois | Fisher | March 2023 Rockford (roadkill) | Fishers had not been documented living in Illinois for a very long time | – | U. of Illinois Extension |
| Iowa | Porcupine | April 2023 Sioux City (hotel parking lot) | About one porcupine every 3-5 years, per a DNR biologist | – | News report |
| Indiana | Black bear | Aug. 20, 2021 Elkhart County (found dead); June 2021 in Vanderburgh County | Transient bears confirmed 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2021 | Michigan and Kentucky | State agency |
| Nebraska | Gray wolf | Jan. 2021 | Wolves confirmed in 2002, 2020 and January 2021 | Great Lakes (DNA); the state also cites the Northern Rockies | News report |
Not included: New York's 2021 wolf of uncertain origin; Kansas's 2021 bears, documented by the Kansas Mammal Atlas rather than the agency; and the several resident bears Rhode Island reports and the year-round wolves North Dakota reports, which we set aside as questioned rather than lost (Iowa's single long-staying Dubuque County bear is one animal, so Iowa's bears still count as lost). If you see one, report it to your state wildlife agency.
The map
Each square is a state. Tap one to open its report. Counts cover native land mammals only.
Native land mammal species NatureServe ranks presumed (SX) or possibly (SH) extirpated, minus species states document as back or present and listings a source questions.
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
Alabama has lost four native land mammal species, including the American bison, elk and mountain lion (cougar). NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Five more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated).
Explore the mammals of Alabama in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #48 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
NatureServe lists no native land mammal as lost from Alaska.
NatureServe lists no native land mammal as extirpated here.
Not checked in depth for this state.
No native land mammal ranked S1.
Explore the mammals of Alaska in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #43 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
Arizona has lost one native mammal species: the grizzly (brown) bear. Back after being wiped out: black-tailed prairie dog (2008). Another 12 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Questioned, not counted: River otter (rank also lists an introduced population).
Explore the mammals of Arizona in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #40 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Arkansas has lost two native land mammal species, including the American bison and red wolf. NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. Back after being wiped out: elk (1980s). Eight more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated); Ocelot (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of Arkansas in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #43 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#44 counting questioned listings)
California has lost one native mammal species: the grizzly (brown) bear, the animal on its state flag. Back after being wiped out: gray wolf (2011). Six more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Explore the mammals of California in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#38 counting questioned listings)
Colorado has lost three native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison and grizzly (brown) bear. The national list still ranks gray wolf as gone here, but state records say it is back. Back after being wiped out: Canada lynx (1999) and gray wolf (2023). Another 14 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), three of them bats.
Explore the mammals of Colorado in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
Connecticut has lost three native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the gray wolf and mountain lion (cougar). NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. The national list still ranks northern flying squirrel as gone here, but state records say it is still present. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2011), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: black bear (1980s), beaver (1914) and fisher (1988). Five more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Indiana bat (non-breeding rank only); Fox squirrel (not on the state's extirpated list).
Still here, despite the rank: Northern flying squirrel: NatureServe ranks it SH, but state records show it today (source). Not counted as lost.
Explore the mammals of Connecticut in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
Delaware has lost four native land mammal species, including the black bear, gray wolf and mountain lion (cougar). NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: black bears (latest 2024), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: delmarva fox squirrel (1984). Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), all bats.
Questioned, not counted: American bison (not on the state's extirpated list); Elk (not on the state's extirpated list).
Explore the mammals of Delaware in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
Not included
We left the District of Columbia out of this study. NatureServe lists 10 native mammals as lost from DC, but the District's own wildlife plans have no record of most of them (bison, elk, marten and fox squirrel among them), so we could not check the list. DC's plans do record more frequent black bear visits and newly documented bobcats.
Explore the mammals of the District of Columbia in the Outforia Atlas
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
Florida has lost four native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison and red wolf. NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. Lost in living memory: gray bat (2010s) and Sherman's short-tailed shrew (1955). Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), three of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated); Northern long-eared bat (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of Florida in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
Georgia has lost four native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison, elk and red wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2008), with no established population. Five more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), three of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated).
Explore the mammals of Georgia in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #48 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
NatureServe lists no native land mammal as lost from Hawaii.
NatureServe lists no native land mammal as extirpated here.
Not checked in depth for this state.
No native land mammal ranked S1.
Explore the mammals of Hawaii in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #43 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#44 counting questioned listings)
Idaho has lost one native mammal species: the caribou. Six more are ranked critically imperiled (S1).
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Idaho in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #1 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#3 counting questioned listings)
Illinois has lost 11 native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), one of the three states that lost the most, including the American bison, black bear and elk. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2026), black bears (latest 2024) and fishers (latest 2023), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: beaver (1920s). Seven more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Note: Illinois' own Wildlife Action Plan lists the red wolf as presumed extirpated, which is why it counts here; Indiana's DNR lists only the gray wolf. The gray wolf is ranked endangered (S1S2) in Illinois, not extirpated: 11 dispersing wolves were confirmed from 2002 to 2015, but there is no population. We never add a loss NatureServe does not list. Source
Explore the mammals of Illinois in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #2 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#1 counting questioned listings)
Indiana has lost 10 native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), one of the three states that lost the most, including the American bison, black bear and elk. NatureServe lists three more that a state or federal source questions. Lost in living memory: southeastern bat (1977) and Rafinesque's big-eared bat (1962). Wanderers confirmed: black bears (latest 2021), mountain lions (latest 2010) and gray wolves (latest 2003), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: bobcat (1970s), river otter (1995) and white-tailed deer (1934). Eight more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Note: Indiana's DNR names the gray wolf, not the red wolf, as the state's extirpated wolf, and its lists do not mention the Canada lynx or wolverine. NatureServe lists all three as lost in Indiana; we show them as questioned and do not count them. Source
Questioned, not counted: Red wolf (no evidence of a resident population); Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS); Canada lynx (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of Indiana in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #4 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
Iowa has lost eight native land mammal species, the fourth-most of any state, including the American bison, black bear and elk. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: black bears (latest 2026), gray wolves (latest 2024) and mountain lions (latest 2024), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: beaver (1930s) and river otter (1985). Two more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Also on the state's own extirpated list (not ranked by NatureServe, so not counted): American marten, Canada lynx.
Explore the mammals of Iowa in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #5 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
Kansas has lost seven native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), tied for the fifth-most of any state, including the American bison, black bear and gray wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2025) and gray wolves (latest 2012), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: elk (1981) and river otter (1983). Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Ringtail (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of Kansas in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Kentucky has lost three native land mammal species, including the American bison, mountain lion (cougar) and red wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Three more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated).
Explore the mammals of Kentucky in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#9 counting questioned listings)
Louisiana has lost four native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the American bison and red wolf. NatureServe lists three more that a state or federal source questions. Lost in living memory: red wolf (1980). Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Elk (no evidence of a resident population); Ocelot (no evidence of a resident population); Jaguar (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of Louisiana in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Maine has lost four native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the caribou, elk and gray wolf. Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Maine in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #5 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#9 counting questioned listings)
Maryland has lost seven native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), tied for the fifth-most of any state, including the American bison, elk and gray wolf. Another 10 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Maryland in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #8 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#5 counting questioned listings)
Massachusetts has lost six native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), tied for the eighth-most of any state, including the Canada lynx, elk and gray wolf. NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2011) and gray wolves (latest 2007), with no established population. Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), three of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: American bison (no evidence of a resident population); Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Also on the state's own extirpated list (not ranked by NatureServe, so not counted): Allegheny woodrat.
Explore the mammals of Massachusetts in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #40 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#38 counting questioned listings)
Michigan has lost two native land mammal species, including the American bison and caribou. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Eight more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of Michigan in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #11 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
Minnesota has lost five native land mammal species, including the American bison, caribou and grizzly (brown) bear. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions.
Not checked in depth for this state.
No native land mammal ranked S1.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of Minnesota in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Mississippi has lost four native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison, mountain lion (cougar) and red wolf. Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Mississippi in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #8 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
Missouri has lost six native land mammal species, tied for the eighth-most of any state, including the American bison, gray wolf and mountain lion (cougar). Lost in living memory: Townsend's big-eared bat (early 1970s). Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2026) and gray wolves (latest 2013), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: elk (2011). Seven more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Explore the mammals of Missouri in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #43 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#44 counting questioned listings)
Montana has lost one native mammal species: the caribou. Three more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Montana in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #8 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#9 counting questioned listings)
Nebraska has lost six native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), tied for the eighth-most of any state, including the American bison, black bear and gray wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: gray wolves (latest 2021) and black bears (latest 2008), with no established population. Another 12 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), three of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of Nebraska in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #11 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
Nevada has lost five native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the American bison, Canada lynx and grizzly (brown) bear. Another 11 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), six of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Nevada in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
New Hampshire has lost four native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the caribou, elk and gray wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Six more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of New Hampshire in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
New Jersey has lost four native land mammal species, including the gray wolf and mountain lion (cougar). Six more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of New Jersey in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#38 counting questioned listings)
New Mexico has lost three native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison and grizzly (brown) bear. Another 13 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of New Mexico in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #5 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
New York has lost seven native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), tied for the fifth-most of any state, including the American bison, Canada lynx and caribou. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2010), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: moose (1980s). Seven more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of New York in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
North Carolina has lost four native land mammal species, including the American bison and mountain lion (cougar). NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. Back after being wiped out: elk (2001). Eight more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated); Snowshoe hare (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of North Carolina in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
North Dakota has lost four native land mammal species, including the American bison, caribou and grizzly (brown) bear. NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. Back after being wiped out: elk (1985), moose (1950s) and American marten (2000s). Seven more are ranked critically imperiled (S1).
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (state reports resident animals); Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of North Dakota in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #2 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
Ohio has lost 10 native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), one of the three states that lost the most, including the American bison, Canada lynx and elk. NatureServe lists two more that a state or federal source questions. The national list still ranks eastern small-footed bat as gone here, but state records say it is still present. Back after being wiped out: river otter (1986). Nine more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Note: Ohio DNR's June 2026 list of extirpated mammals names 10 species, all counted here. Rafinesque's big-eared bat, which Ohio lists as a species of concern and has not recorded since the late 1950s, is shown as questioned. Source
Questioned, not counted: Rafinesque's big-eared bat (not on the state's extirpated list); Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Still here, despite the rank: Eastern small-footed bat: NatureServe ranks it SH, but state records show it today (source). Not counted as lost.
Explore the mammals of Ohio in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #11 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
Oklahoma has lost five native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison, gray wolf and red wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. The national list still ranks elk as gone here, but state records say it is back. Lost in living memory: Texas kangaroo rat (1969). Back after being wiped out: elk (1908). Another 15 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Grizzly (brown) bear (likely only a transient here).
Explore the mammals of Oklahoma in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#38 counting questioned listings)
Oregon has lost three native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison and grizzly (brown) bear. Back after being wiped out: gray wolf (2008). Five more are ranked critically imperiled (S1).
Explore the mammals of Oregon in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
Pennsylvania has lost four native land mammal species, including the Canada lynx, gray wolf and moose. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. The national list still ranks elk as gone here, but state records say it is back. Back after being wiped out: elk (1913), beaver (1917) and fisher (1994). Eight more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of Pennsylvania in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Rhode Island has lost three native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the gray wolf and mountain lion (cougar). NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Four more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Black bear (state reports resident animals).
Explore the mammals of Rhode Island in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
South Carolina has lost four native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the American bison, mountain lion (cougar) and red wolf. Wanderers confirmed: elk (latest 2016), with no established population. Two more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), all bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of South Carolina in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
South Dakota has lost four native land mammal species (three of them possibly lost), including the grizzly (brown) bear. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Nine more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of South Dakota in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #33 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Tennessee has lost three native land mammal species, including the American bison, mountain lion (cougar) and red wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. The national list still ranks elk as gone here, but state records say it is back. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2016), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: elk (2000). Two more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), all bats.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated).
Explore the mammals of Tennessee in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #11 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#5 counting questioned listings)
Texas has lost five native land mammal species (one of them possibly lost), including the gray wolf, jaguar and red wolf. NatureServe lists three more that a state or federal source questions. Lost in living memory: black-footed ferret (1963). Back after being wiped out: black bear (1990s), elk (1928) and bighorn sheep. Another 15 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Jaguarundi (state still ranks it as present); Margay (no evidence of a resident population); Grizzly (brown) bear (no evidence of a resident population).
Explore the mammals of Texas in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
Utah has lost four native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the gray wolf and grizzly (brown) bear. Wanderers confirmed: gray wolves (latest 2025), with no established population. Another 13 are ranked critically imperiled (S1).
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Utah in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #11 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#12 counting questioned listings)
Vermont has lost five native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the caribou, elk and gray wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Lost in living memory: New England cottontail (1971). Wanderers confirmed: gray wolves, with no established population. Back after being wiped out: American marten (2001). Seven more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of Vermont in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #40 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#38 counting questioned listings)
Virginia has lost two native land mammal species, including the American bison and red wolf. NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. The national list still ranks elk and snowshoe hare as gone here, but state records say they are back. Back after being wiped out: elk (2012). Seven more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), three of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Gray wolf (which wolf lived here is debated).
Still here, despite the rank: Snowshoe hare: NatureServe ranks it SX, but state records show it today (source). Not counted as lost.
Explore the mammals of Virginia in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #43 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#44 counting questioned listings)
Washington has lost one native mammal species: the American bison. The national list still ranks pronghorn as gone here, but state records say it is still present. Back after being wiped out: gray wolf (2008). Another 11 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), one of them a bat.
Still here, despite the rank: Pronghorn: NatureServe ranks it SX, but state records show it today (source). Not counted as lost.
Explore the mammals of Washington in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#28 counting questioned listings)
West Virginia has lost four native land mammal species (two of them possibly lost), including the American bison, gray wolf and mountain lion (cougar). Back after being wiped out: elk (2016). Six more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), five of them bats.
Explore the mammals of West Virginia in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #16 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost (#20 counting questioned listings)
Wisconsin has lost four native land mammal species, including the American bison, caribou and mountain lion (cougar). NatureServe lists one more that a state or federal source questions. Wanderers confirmed: mountain lions (latest 2026), with no established population. Back after being wiped out: elk (1995) and gray wolf (1978). Three more are ranked critically imperiled (S1), two of them bats.
Questioned, not counted: Wolverine (likely only transients, per USFWS).
Explore the mammals of Wisconsin in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
State report
Ranks #48 of 50 states for native land mammal species lost
NatureServe lists no native land mammal as lost from Wyoming. Another 20 are ranked critically imperiled (S1), four of them bats.
NatureServe lists no native land mammal as extirpated here.
Not checked in depth for this state.
Explore the mammals of Wyoming in the Outforia Atlas · Link to this state
The species
The number of states (out of 50) each species is lost from. Big mammals top the list: they needed the most room, competed with livestock and were hunted out as predators or for food.
In living memory
Most of these losses date to the 1800s. In these 9 state cases the last record dates from after 1950. A last record is not a date of loss: some, ranked possibly extirpated, may yet turn up.
Fewer than 10 gray bats a year were counted at Florida's main hibernation cave in 2002-2011. Florida's heritage program now ranks the species presumed extirpated, and USFWS says the bats no longer roost in the state. Source
The last wild red wolves in Louisiana were trapped between 1973 and 1980 for the captive-breeding program that saved the species. Source
Indiana's southeastern bat was last recorded in 1977. Source
Missouri's Ozark big-eared bats have had no official sighting since the early 1970s. Source
Vermont has found no evidence of the New England cottontail since 1971. Source
Oklahoma's last confirmed Texas kangaroo rat dates to 1969. Trapping from 2014 to 2017 caught none. Source
The last black-footed ferret recorded in Texas was in Bailey County in 1963. Source
Indiana's Rafinesque's big-eared bat was last recorded in 1962. Source
Sherman's short-tailed shrew, known only from Lee County, has had no confirmed sighting since 1955 and may be extinct. Source
Out of date
NatureServe's state ranks come from each state's natural heritage program and can lag years behind. In these 9 cases the rank still says a species is gone, but the state's own records say otherwise. We did not count them as lost. Some reintroduced herds are a different subspecies from the native animals, and a heritage program may rank the original population on purpose; we have not asked them. (We also removed Arizona's black-tailed prairie dog, back since 2008, but NatureServe's own compound rank for it, SX,S1, already shows the returned population.)
| State | Species | NatureServe rank | What the state says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Gray wolf | SX | 10 wolves released Dec 2023. CPW: reproduction in four packs; minimum 32 wolves at 31 Mar 2026; 45 incl. 20 pups on 24 Sep 2026 (CPR citing CPW). Source |
| Connecticut | Northern flying squirrel | SH | CT treats it as extant: SGCN 'Most Important' (2025 WAP); DEEP fact sheet gives a NW-highlands range; DEEP proposes listing it SC in 2026. No record year published. Source |
| Ohio | Eastern small-footed bat | SH | ODNR lists it Species of Concern, not extirpated. Division's 2020 mobile acoustic survey names it among Ohio's 10 commonly found, state-listed bats. Source |
| Oklahoma | Elk | SX | Elk reintroduced to Wichita Mountains NWR in 1908. ODWC lists herds on four WMAs and private land, annual controlled hunts since 1966 and 2026-27 elk seasons. Rocky Mountain stock. Source |
| Pennsylvania | Elk | SX | PGC released 177 elk 1913-1926. Winter 2025 aerial survey estimate: 1,342 (+/- ~150). Regulated annual hunts since 2001; 140 licenses in 2025-26. Source |
| Tennessee | Elk | SX | TWRA released 201 Canadian-source elk 2000-2008 on the Cumberland Plateau. Hunt since 2009 (19 permits in 2026). Last TWRA headcount found: 'more than 300' (2009). Source |
| Virginia | Elk | SX | DWR relocated 71 adults and 4 calves from Kentucky 2012-2014. 'More than 250' elk by Sept 2020. Lottery bull hunts since Oct 2022; fifth hunt Oct 2026. Source |
| Virginia | Snowshoe hare | SX | Virginia DWR says the subspecies L. a. virginianus survives 'in isolated areas in Highland County' and is state endangered. No record year given on the page. Source |
| Washington | Pronghorn | SX | WDFW says pronghorn were extirpated from Washington in the 1800s and early releases failed, but it now publishes annual winter pronghorn surveys for south-central Washington (latest 2025). Source |
The comebacks
Reintroductions and natural returns have restored at least 40 populations in the states we checked, each documented by a state or federal wildlife agency. Year shown is the first release or return. This is not a national census of every comeback.
Since 1908
Back in Oklahoma (1908), Pennsylvania (1913), Texas (1928), Arkansas (1980s), Kansas (1981), North Dakota (1985), Wisconsin (1995), Tennessee (2000), North Carolina (2001), Missouri (2011), Virginia (2012) and West Virginia (2016).
Elk were hunted out of the East by the late 1800s. Today's herds descend from elk moved in from the West and Canada, and several states now hold elk hunts again.
Since 1978
Back in Wisconsin (1978), Oregon (2008), Washington (2008), California (2011) and Colorado (2023).
Wolves walked back into Wisconsin from Minnesota in the 1970s and into Washington, Oregon and California from the Northern Rockies. Colorado released wolves in December 2023, and they have raised pups since.
Since 1914
Back in Connecticut (1914), Pennsylvania (1917), Illinois (1920s) and Iowa (1930s).
Beavers were trapped out of many states by the 1800s and restocked in the 1900s. They are common again.
Since 1983
Back in Kansas (1983), Iowa (1985), Ohio (1986) and Indiana (1995).
Trapping and polluted rivers wiped otters out of much of the interior. Reintroductions from the 1980s onward brought them back to rivers across the Midwest and Plains.
Since 2000s
Back in North Dakota (2000s) and Vermont (2001).
ND Game and Fish: marten 'extirpated by 1900'; confirmed again in the early 2000s; a 2022-2024 genetic survey found a 'sizeable population' in the Turtle Mountains.
Since 1956
Back in North Dakota (1956) and Texas.
NPS: native bighorns extirpated from the area by the early 1900s; reintroduction began 1956; now about 490 animals. ND Game and Fish puts the badlands population near 330.
Since 1980s
Back in Connecticut (1980s) and Texas (1990s).
Black bears have pushed back into parts of their former range, and some states now have breeding populations again.
Since 1988
Back in Connecticut (1988) and Pennsylvania (1994).
Fishers vanished from most of their eastern range by the early 1900s. Reintroductions and natural spread have brought them back to several states.
Since 1950s
Back in North Dakota (1950s) and New York (1980s).
ND Game and Fish: moose disappeared after settlement, did not reappear until the 1950s, and are now established across the northern tier from Walhalla to Williston.
Since 2008
Back in Arizona (2008).
Gone from Arizona by the 1960s, prairie dogs were reintroduced to the state's southeast corner beginning in 2008.
Sources: AZ
Since 1970s
Back in Indiana (1970s).
Bobcats disappeared from parts of the Midwest and returned on their own as forests regrew.
Sources: IN
Since 1999
Back in Colorado (1999).
Colorado released lynx from Canada and Alaska starting in 1999. The first kittens were found in 2003.
Sources: CO
Since 1984
Back in Delaware (1984).
DNREC: 'extirpated from Delaware prior to 1920'; translocated 1984-87 (Prime Hook persists unsupplemented), natural population found 2007; 2020-24 translocations bred and dispersed. Still state Endangered.
Sources: DE
Since 1934
Back in Indiana (1934).
Market hunting wiped deer out of several Midwestern states around 1900. Restocking and hunting rules brought them back, and deer are now abundant.
Sources: IN
Rarest now
NatureServe ranks a species S1, critically imperiled, when it is extremely rare in a state. Across the 50 states there are 343 S1 rankings for native land mammals.
All states
Sorted by native land mammal species lost. Tap a column to re-sort, or search for a state or species.
SX = presumed extirpated, SH = possibly extirpated, % of natives = species lost as a share of all native land mammals NatureServe ranks for the state, S1 = critically imperiled in the state (NatureServe subnational ranks, pulled 2026-10-03). Incl. questioned = adding listings a state or federal source questions. Ties share a rank. The District of Columbia is not included (see methodology).
Methodology
We started from NatureServe's state conservation ranks, removed species a state documents as back or still present, and set aside listings a source questions. We never added a loss NatureServe does not list.
We pulled NatureServe's subnational ranks for every mammal in all 50 states through the NatureServe Explorer API on 2026-10-03: 257 state-level losses. (An earlier pull, in July 2026 for the Outforia Atlas, is used only to note one rank change.) We then looked for a state wildlife agency, state natural heritage program, federal agency or published source for every loss in the states with the most losses and for the big, well-documented species (bison, mountain lion, wolves, elk, black bear, wolverine) nationwide: 93 of the 114 counted losses of those species have a source. Every loss is fully sourced in 14 states (Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas). Nationally, 140 of the 203 counted losses have a source; the other 63 rest on NatureServe's rank alone, because no source was found or the state's website could not be reached. The species CSV marks each row.
Some sources are old: a 2011 federal review of the eastern cougar, a historical-society encyclopedia, a 1999 newspaper report. They support that a species was lost, not that a current survey looked for it. NatureServe's ranks come from the state heritage programs, so where the source is a heritage program's own list it confirms the rank is current rather than proving it independently.
Of NatureServe's 257 listings, 10 were removed and 44 set aside as questioned, leaving the 203 we count.
Two kinds of species stay counted as lost with a label. Wanderers: a mountain lion walking through Iowa or a black bear crossing into Illinois is not a population. Bison in conservation herds: bison count as lost where NatureServe ranks them extirpated, even where a fenced or managed herd exists. (NatureServe is not consistent here: it treats some states' fenced herds as populations and others not.) We never add a loss NatureServe does not list.
The ranking depends on what each state's heritage program has chosen to rank, so it partly measures record-keeping: a state with a thorough extirpated list scores higher than one that never ranked its historical species. The top of the list is stable across the choices we made:
| Count | Illinois | Indiana | Ohio | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our count (questioned listings left out) | 11 #1 | 10 #2 | 10 #2 | 8 #4 |
| Including questioned listings | 11 #3 | 13 #1 | 12 #2 | 9 #4 |
| NatureServe before any change | 11 #3 | 13 #1 | 13 #1 | 9 #4 |
| Presumed extirpated (SX) only | 10 #1 | 8 #2 | 8 #2 | 8 #2 |
Our top three (Illinois, Indiana and Ohio) are also the top three including questioned listings and on NatureServe before any change; on presumed-extirpated species only, Illinois leads, with Indiana, Ohio and Iowa tied behind.
Download: State summary (CSV, 50 rows) · Every species and state, with the check and its source (CSV)
Cite as:
Outforia. 2026. "Gone From Your State, Wandering Back: America's lost mammals." Data from NatureServe Explorer, accessed October 3, 2026, checked against state wildlife agencies. https://outforia.com/gone-from-your-state
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