Picture of Puma (puma concolor) Closeup

The IUCN Red List classifies the puma as NEAR THREATENED (NT).

Definition: A taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

The IUCN also states that the puma population has "a declining trend due to persecution and degradation of its habitat and prey base, and may possibly qualify as Vulnerable if these trends persist".