State wildlife officials have raised their estimate on the number of mountain lions in the Black Hills.  They think it's in the range of 220 to 280. That includes all adult lions and young ones. A year ago, the estimate was 210.  Research by the Game, Fish and Parks Department indicates half of the adult females give birth each year, and 60 percent of the cubs survive.

The department confirmed the deaths of 54 adult lions and 13 cub lions last year. Nineteen lions were killed by hunters, eight were deemed "problem lions" and killed by the G-F-and-P, six were hit by vehicles, and 10 cubs were killed by adult lions.