A few years ago, the Nebraska Game and Parks Department denied that there had been any cougars in the state since the times of Lewis and Clark.
Until one day the Omaha paper published a three page article on the return of the cougar, with pictures, and a few statements from non government experts that yes they really were there.
I live on the IA/IL border right now, and we have cougars here in Scott county on occasion. Heck, two years ago a guy shot one during bow season on the IL side of the river.
They are here in Oklahoma.........