LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) - A Longview police officer was patrolling West Loop 281 near Pine Tree Middle School when it collided with what he believed to be a bobcat. However, upon closer examination he noticed it was a much bigger animal.

"It's definitely a mountain lion it's the real deal," Longview PD Public Information Officer Ladarian Brown said.

Good luck or unwanted guests? What's behind the surge of ladybugs in East Texas

The police department said they contacted the Gregg County game warden and a biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) who took possession of the mountain lion's body.

"Due to the extent of its injuries, the animal was put down at the scene," Longview PD said. "A Texas Parks & Wildlife biologist and game warden were contacted."

TPWD said mountain lions are also called cougars and are usually found "throughout the Trans-Pecos, as well as the brushlands of south Texas and portions of the Hill Country."

Although the animal was hit in the city, they are generally found in remote mountains or hilly areas that have cover. Mountain lions are usually active in the mornings and nights.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes Endangered Species Act protections for giraffes

In a statement to KETK News, TPWD said the mountain lion was found to be a three to four-year-old female weighing 83.5 pounds. Everyone was surprised to see the cougar was real as in the past they are not all that common in East Texas.

However, Caldwell Zoo mammals zookeeper Hayley Bradg said mountain lion sighting may increase in the area as mating season has come to an end or they get pushed out of their habitats.

East Texas man arrested, 18 animals found in 'deplorable' conditions

"It's very, very rare, these guys are super solitary, super occlusive, and you're not going to see them very often, they make sure that," Bradg said. "Their territories are getting lessened and so they're just trying to find ranges that's occlusive and not among neighborhoods, and so they're just trying to find their own new homes."

Bradg noted a sure way to know if you saw a mountain lion is the animal has a thick tail, they are darker brown to a grey color and their paw prints will have the letter m at the bottom of the padding.

"They are here with us and we want to learn how to live among them and keep ourselves safe and then keep them safe and keep their population numbers up," Bradg said.

If you see a mountain lion report it to Parks and Wildlife and do not try to get close to the animal. Caldwell Zoo said a good way to keep mountain lions away from your property is to keep your pets' food inside or anything that may attract smaller critters that are prey for the big cat.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.