DNR confirms cougar in Lower Peninsula for 1st time in a century Cougars were once native to Michigan, but, like wolves, were wiped out from the … In February, DNR Wildlife Division staff confirmed two of those reports after finding cougar tracks while conducting the U.P. DNR biologist conducted a field inspection in the area where the photo was shot, confirming it's was a cougar. CLINTON COUNTY, MI -- The state says it has confirmed the presence of a cougar in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This week the Michigan DNR confirmed the first mountain lion sighting in the Lower Peninsula since the big cat went extinct from the state, around the turn of the century. No new permits are being issued. This is the first time the presence of a cougar has been verified by the DNR in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed six cougar sightings so far in 2020. It is possible that escaped or released pet cougars account for at least a portion of the sightings in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of a cougar -- also referred to as a mountain lion – in Bath Township, Clinton County. A pair of trail cameras in Michigan's Upper Peninsula recently captured images of a cougar -- or possibly two different cougars -- about 900 miles … If children are present, pick them up so they cannot run. MDNR confirms presence of a cougar in Lower Peninsula Jun 29 , 2017 ... Clinton County. Cougars appear to be spreading across Michigan, even into Oakland County, with sightings in the tri-county area also reported. LANSING – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of a cougar – also referred to as a mountain lion – in Bath Township, Clinton County. The DNR has plenty of information on cougars in the state. Most state wildlife agencies, including the Michigan DNR, rely on physical evidence such as carcasses, DNA evidence, tracks, photos, and other sign verified by experts to document the presence of cougars. On June 6, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in eastern Chippewa County. From Michigan Department of Natural Resources. However, under the Large Carnivore Act, large cats (including exotics and cougars) that are escaped pets may be destroyed in defense of property, as well as life. Never run from a cougar or other large carnivore. On February 20, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southeastern Schoolcraft County while conducting wolf track surveys. This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in Schoolcraft County on February 20, 2020. There have been periodic reports of cougar sightings since that time from various locations in Michigan. The DNR said last year that sightings could be increasing because more people are using trail cameras and reports, in general, are more frequent. According to the DNR, there’s been one in Chippewa, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties and three in Delta County alone. LUCE COUNTY-- Two cougar mounts are on display in the Upper Peninsula to help the public learn more about these uncommon visitors.According to the U.S. It has been illegal to own a cougar or large exotic cats such as African lions, leopards, and jaguars, in Michigan since 2000. It is possible that escaped or released pet cougars account for at least a portion of the sightings in Michigan. There was a Dogman report in 1967 in Cross Village, just across the straits from the Upper Peninsula. Install outside lighting, preferably with motion sensors. If cougars are here, where did they come from? The odds of encountering a cougar in the wild are very small and attacks are extremely rare. No. It is critical these be reported immediately. Cougars or large exotic cats that are a direct and immediate threat to human life may be killed. The Michigan DNR has confirmed six cougar sightings in 2020, all in the Upper Peninsula. This is the first time the presence of a cougar has been verified by the DNR in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The cougar was … Do not feed wildlife, this attracts potential prey sources. MDNR officials say the two photographs were taken this fall – one was taken on a camera phone 30 miles south-southeast of Sault Ste. Stand tall, wave your arms, and talk in a loud voice. Protect, fence, and shelter livestock, particularly at night. What should I do if I encounter a cougar? The DNR will respond to reports of cougars/large cats in residential or urban areas, if physical evidence is available. It has been illegal to own a cougar or large exotic cats such as African lions, leopards, and jaguars, in Michigan since 2000. Report the encounter to local authorities and the DNR as soon as possible. LANSING – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of a cougar – also referred to as a mountain lion – in Bath Township, Clinton County. If attacked, fight back with whatever is available. The DNR occasionally receives reports of illegally owned large pet cats including cougars, and has confiscated these animals. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently confirmed two new cougar sightings in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Cougars are primarily nocturnal although they can be active during the day. Face the animal and do not act submissive. The DNR has a ton of information on cougars in the state. How can I discourage cougars around my home or farm? On April 24, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County, on the Stonington Peninsula. Fourteen cougars have been sighted in Midland County, five in Saginaw, six in Bay, eight in Tuscola, 16 in Ogemaw, 30 in Roscommon and others in Clare and around mid-Michigan. The last time a wild cougar was legally taken in the state was near Newberry in 1906. If attacked, fight back with whatever is available. Based on documented evidence, they could be transient or dispersing cougars from the nearest known breeding populations in North and South Dakota. Face the animal and do not act submissive. Although sightings are rare in Michigan, they have been on the rise in recent years. Yet, even with the reported sightings, wildlife experts say there’s no evidence to show there’s a breeding population in the state. Michigan wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of a cougar in the Lansing area - the first to be verified in the Lower Peninsula. Cougars, also called mountain lions, were originally native to Michigan, but were extirpated from Michigan around the turn of the century. The report was from Gogebic County. BATH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Michigan DNR has confirmed the first ever sighting of a cougar in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. An animal acting tame or unafraid of people is likely to be a pet. The Michigan DNR has confirmed the first ever sighting of a cougar in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. LANSING, Mich. -- For the first time, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of a cougar in the Lower Peninsula.A Haslett resident took a photo of the cougar in Bath T The species in Michigan is listed as endangered and is protected under state law. A quick-with-a-camera area resident has helped the Michigan Department of Natural Resources make a major discovery: the first cougar confirmed in the Lower Peninsula … only one of those coming in the Lower Peninsula, Report the encounter to local authorities. On July 12, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in Delta County. Since 2008, the DNR has confirmed 55 cougar sightings, with only one of those coming in the Lower Peninsula, in 2017. The last time a wild cougar was legally killed by a hunter in Michigan … The National Park Service has conducted road and trail surveys and trail camera surveillance in the past, designed to detect cougars in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Reports of cougar sightings, which have continued to pour in since last month’s confirmation, aren’t new in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. So, it is likely that we are just having more people turn in their photos. Although sightings are rare in Michigan, they have been on the rise in recent years. Or, they could be transient or dispersing cougars from the nearest known breeding populations in North and South Dakota. There have been at least 55 cougar sightings in the state since 2008, with only one being reported in the Lower Peninsula back in 2017. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter. This is about 12 miles from the Schoolcraft County trail camera photo taken on November 15, 2019. Photograph courtesy of Michigan DNR - A photograph taken in Clinton County has been confirmed as the first proof of a cougar, also known as a mountain lion, in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Is there a population of wild cougars in Michigan? Ken Haddad is the digital content manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. LANSING-The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of a cougar -- also referred to as a mountain lion - in Bath Township, Clinton County. This is the first time the presence of a cougar has been verified by the DNR in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Wild cougars may not be killed by the public in defense of pets or livestock without a permit from the DNR. Are there pet cougars or exotic big cats like leopards and African lions in Michigan? The odds of encountering a cougar in the wild are very small and attacks are extremely rare. The DNR said it is possible reports could be sightings of the same animal. The National Park Service has conducted road and trail surveys and trail camera surveillance in the past, designed to detect cougars in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Michigan wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of a cougar in the Lansing area — the first to be verified in the Lower Peninsula. Keep your pets indoors or in a covered outdoor kennel, particularly at night. For the first time, the Michigan DNR has verified the presence of a cougar, or mountain lion, in the state's Lower Peninsula. DNR confirms cougar in Lower Peninsula for 1st time in a century Cougars were once native to Michigan, but, like wolves, were wiped out from … Marie in late October – another was taken with a trail camera on public land near Mackinac County’s Garfield Township. Fourteen cougars have been sighted in Midland County, five in Saginaw, six in Bay, eight in Tuscola, 16 in Ogemaw, 30 in Roscommon and others in Clare and around mid-Michigan.