A Mountain Lion That Hiked 450 Miles From Canada to Montana Has Been Killed

A female mountain lion that had traveled 450 miles from Canada to Montana has been killed by a hunter.

The kill was perfectly legal, as the winter mountain lion hunting season opens Dec. 1 in that state, where hunters kill between 400 and 500 lions out of a population of 3,500 to 4,000 each year, USA Today reports.

This lion was unusual, however, in her voyage: most female mountain lions do not range far from their home, if at all. But Sandy, as the cat was named, wore a GPS collar fitted in British Columbia as part of a study of the species’ habits, so wildlife officials were able to track her every movement as she wandered 450 miles (about 300 as the crow flies), crossing into Montana in June. The hunter who killed her was not aware of her reputation.

[USA Today]