For the past five years, the “Lions in Iowa” exhibit has been visiting nature centers, parks and county courthouses as it traversed the state. The exhibit will be viewable at the Pocahontas County Conservation Nature Center, 702 Northwest Seventh St., just north of the hospital and manor on Highway 4 in Pocahontas. The exhibit offers the chance to learn about one of the most elusive mammals in North America.

When mountain lions or cougars are mentioned, it can stir up a handful of perceptions and responses.

Some people see the animals as beautiful and a natural part of the environment while others see them as dangerous and deadly.

Discover the difference between truth and myths about mountain lions, also known as cougars, and details about their natural history through interactive, hands-on experiences.

This interactive exhibit will be on display starting Sunday and running through Feb. 19, 2010 at the PCCB Nature Center. The center is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The nature center will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The exhibit was developed by the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in California and made possible to the residents of Iowa through a REAP Conservation Education Program grant and a partnership between Black Hawk County Conservation and the Friends of Hartman Reserve.

Sightings of the big, long-tailed cats are numerous – and notoriously unreliable. Iowa DNR employees and officials constantly get pictures of things people think are mountain lions, and they turn out to be domestic cats and golden retrievers. Others might confuse bobcats, which are far more common in the Midwest, with mountain lions.

Learn where mountain lions have been sighted in the state and explore the characteristics that make this cat one tough kitty.

Visitors can view a life-sized lion mount and touch the surface of a lion’s tongue replica.