First cougar cubs verified in Michigan in more than a century

For the primary time in additional than 100 years, Cougar Cubs have been found who dwell within the Michigan Wild.

On Wednesday, state biologists confirmed the existence of two Cougar Cubs on personal land in Dontagon County on the western higher peninsula. The noticed Cubs, that are believed to be 7 to 9 weeks outdated, have been verified from photographic proof of the Cubs taken by a neighborhood resident on 6 March.

That is the primary time that Cougar Cubs have been verified for the reason that huge cats have been hunted in Michigan within the early 1900s, mentioned Brian Rooll, nice carnivore specialist for the Michigan Division of Pure Assets. Roell, 26 years a pure biologist, led the workforce that verified the Cubs.

“It’s fairly thrilling, provided that that is the primary nicely -known Cougar copy in fashionable occasions within the Western Nice Lakes states,” mentioned Roell, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. “It actually exhibits that we’ve got a singular place in Michigan, the place somebody has the possibility to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar within the wild. It’s one thing that have to be celebrated, that we’ve got the habitat to help such an elusive animal. “

The cubs have been noticed and photographed with out their mom. Cougar Cubs are extremely depending on their moms and sometimes stick with them throughout the first two years of life.

Though Cougars are native to Michigan, most of them now appear to be non permanent animals that unfold from Western states to Michigan. The DNR has verified 132 grownup Cougar reviews, Rool mentioned, however DNA checks have to this point solely confirmed male cougars.

The Cubs haven’t been noticed since 6 March. “These younger cougars at the moment are very weak,” mentioned Rool. “We do not know the place they’re or that they even dwell. Mom Nature could be very merciless. ‘

Observations could be recorded within the DNRs Eyes in the field Reporting system. Roell mentioned Cougars are on the checklist of endangered mammals in Michigan, which implies it’s unlawful to hunt or trouble them, together with looking for their cave. It’s also unlawful to violate personal possession, he observed.

Go to for the newest details about Cougars, together with the Cougar Sightings Web page of the DNR Michigan.gov/cougar.