That's the highest number reported since 2008, when the DNR first began tracking cougars. Since then, the big cats have occasionally been spotted by residents as they wander in from states like the Dakotas. The highest number of Michigan cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years. winter wolf track survey. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. They are also encouraged to protect, fence and shelter livestock, especially at night, and to avoid feeding wildlife nearby as it may attract potential prey sources. "In 2020, we confirmed actually 14 cougar reports," said Cody Norton from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This is about 45 miles from where DNR staff found tracks on February 20th in Schoolcraft County. In Michigan, cougars are an endangered species and protected by law. On March 31, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in northeast Dickinson County. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. Since then, the big cats have occasionally been spotted by residents wandering in from states like the Dakotas. Local 4 News every morning. We have literally shot millions of images and not come up with a cougar on any of the game cameras. They might cover them up with a bucket or something like that, and we physically had to go out there and try to be out there quick enough before some of that evidence disappeared. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. All rights reserved (About Us). These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The highest number of Michigan cougar sightings has occurred during the past three years. So theyve done some DNA testing and the cougars that are coming to the U.P. Six separate cougar sightings have been confirmed this year in Michigan, according to a mid season update from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). On February 20, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in southeastern Schoolcraft County while conducting wolf track surveys. Norton: Yeah, and it's really similar to most of our large carnivore species in Michigan and like you said, very, very, very unlikely that it will happen with a cougar, but if you did encounter a cougar or other large carnivores, it's best to, you know, face the animal [and] make yourself look big and as intimidating as possible. On May 24, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Marquette County. When the young are born, they sort of spread out from beyond that area. Whitmer Signs Historic New Legislation to Curb Gun Violence in Michigan. Those states include South Dakota, Wyoming and northwest Nebraska, from which Pepin said genetic testing showed some of the cougars found in Michigan likely came. Also known as pumas, panthers, mountain lions, cougar sightings remain extremely rare in Michigan. In 2020, the DNR has 12 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan, all in the Upper Peninsula. This is about 50 miles from where a July 20 video was captured in Baraga County. There were 11 in 2019. . But if you do see a cougar, Skeldon asks that you try and . In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. Volunteer Opportunities; Calendars: So, when he heard that a cougar may have been seen . Since 2008 there have been 55 confirmed reports of cougars in Michigan and all but one have been in the Upper Peninsula. By . On January 26, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in central Delta County. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reports 14 confirmed cougar sightings in 2020, all located in the Upper Peninsula. Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. This is about 1 mile from where another photo was captured on August 30 in Luce County. The animals are protected by state law as an endangered species. MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the latest information on confirmed cougar sightings in the state. For more information about cougars in Michigan, . At least one confirmed sighting of a Michigan mountain lion has been made in the Lower Peninsula. Classes & Workshops; 2020 Confirmed Cougar Sightings February 19, 2020 On February 19, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in Delta County while conducting wolf track surveys. This is about 36 miles from where the January 12 photo was captured in Schoolcraft County. Delta, Luce and Mackinac counties tied for first place, each with three. This is about 160 miles from where October 13 photos were captured in Mackinac County. The DNR Wildlife Division staff confirmed two of those reports after finding cougar . This is about 180 miles from where the July 17 photo was captured in Ontonagon County. Bob McNally So, you look at the reports, now, towards you know, the last couple of years, the vast majority of those come from trail camera photos or cell phone pics of tracks or scat. More than a 100 years ago, native cougars, or mountain lions, disappeared from Michigan. On October 31, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in central Houghton County. Morning 4: A look at recent confirmed cougar sightings in Michigan -- and more news Here are the top stories for the morning of Aug. 18, 2022 On Nov. 15, 2019, a trail camera captured a photo. April 24, Delta County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar on the Stonington Peninsula. Every so often we have numerous verifications due to a similar situation., (Find a complete rundown of the 12 sightings in 2020 right here), From 2018: Cougar captured on DNR camera in Michigans Upper Peninsula. On February 19, 2020, DNR staff identified cougar tracks in Delta County while conducting wolf track surveys. That cat was photographed in June, 2017 in the Rose Lake State Wildlife Area in Bath Township, near Lansing. February 20, 2020 The cougar typically weighs between 90 and 180 lbs, with a few large males topping 200 lbs. So, that helps if the animal is in a field or you know, without something as a size or scale reference. DNA analysis of two cougars poached in the U.P., for example, showed the animals likely dispersed from their established populations in South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska, said Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist with the DNR. There have been 11 cougar sightings in Michigan in 2021, as of mid . It was the highest amount of cougar sightings in one year over. This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in. Ken Haddad is the digital content and audience manager for WDIV / ClickOnDetroit.com. It is possible that escaped or released pet cougars account for at least a portion of the sightings 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. It has been illegal to own a cougar or large exotic cats such as African lions, leopards, and jaguars, in Michigan since 2000. itar proof of citizenship. Confirmed sightings of the animal, also known as a puma or mountain lion, hit double digits for the first time in 2019, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resourcesrecorded more sightings in the last three years than it did in the 10 years prior. We administer grants that enable our local partners to promote the lifestyles we all enjoy by providing recreational opportunities, enhancing wildlife habitat and ensuring public safety. There have been 62 cougar sightings in Michigan since 2008. This is about 127 miles from where the April 24 photo was captured in Delta County. This situation is not unique to Michigan, and has been occurring in many other mid-western and eastern states as well. Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MICHIGAN Cougar sightings are hotly debated in Michigan, despite the fact that theyve been spotted dozens of times since 2008, and were originally native to Michigan before being scattered across the state, mostly due to habitat loss. There is no photo available. State park, historic sites and visitor center events. The most recent sighting in Michigan, confirmed by the agency in October, was on Sept.16, when aphoto was captured of a cougar in southern Dickinson County. On July 20, 2021, a trail camera video was captured of a cougar in southeastern Baraga County. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. And in 2020, Michiganders reported seeing cougars 14 times, the most since the team formed. That gives you an idea of how rare they are.. Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. The Iowa DNR confirmed about 16 cougar sightings from 1995 to 2014. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. The state agency does not know how many of the sightings in recent years were unique, according to Pepin, but assume that several reports may involve the same animal or animals based on some studies as well as the close geographical locations of some sightings. This Ones for Sale in Lake Superior, Accountability YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. https://dev.michigan.local/som/json?sc_device=json, Go to Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Go to Recreational safety and hunter education, Natural and Historical Education Resources for Home, Cultural & Scientific Collectors Permit (Fisheries), Collaborative Forest Management: The Good Neighbor Authority, Assistance for Private Forest Land Owners, County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information, Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees, Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees, Northern Lake Michigan Islands Collaborative, Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee, Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council, Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils. So, it is likely that we are just having more people turn in their photos. Sophia Saliby: This is All Things Considered on WKAR. Have a news tip? Ten sightings of the animal have been confirmed by the agency this year, all in the Upper Peninsula, compared with a peak of 15in 2020. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE SNOWMOBILE HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Want to find tasty morel mushrooms in the forest? Male cougars are known to travel great distancesin search of places to establish breeding locations with available females, said John Pepin, deputy public information officer at DNR, and it is almost always males that are recorded inconfirmed sightings. Feb. 20, Schoolcraft County: DNR members identified cougar tracks while conducting wolf track surveys. Three of the sightings were in Delta County, while the other three took place in Schoolcraft, Chippewa and Ontonagon Counties. When we get them, we go out and investigate them and try to substantiate the reports.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Visitor Centers across the state provide education programs, field trips, archery, fishing, trails and much more. DNA analysis of two cougars poached in the U.P., for example, showed the animals likely dispersed from their established populations in South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska, said Cody Norton, large carnivore specialist with the DNR, earlier this year. Saliby: It seems very rare that our listeners would ever spot a cougar here in the Capital Region. On October 13, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in western Mackinac County. 0:41. Saliby: Why are we seeing more cougar sightings in recent years? On December 23, 2021, cougar tracks were found in southwestern Delta County. If you have children with you or pets, if you can pick them up, so that they don't run away, that's always a good way to go. Calendars: You wouldn't want to play dead, like you might with like a brown bear. The animalswere trapped and hunted from the state around the turn of the 20th century, said Pepin, andare now listed as an endangeredspecies andprotected under state law. In the early 2000's, many big cat sightings were . This is about 120 miles from where a November 7 photo was captured in Baraga County. Are there pet cougars or exotic big cats like leopards and African lions in Michigan? This is about 120 miles from where the July 12photo was captured in Delta County. Just a day later, a trail camera captured a cougar in Ontanogon County, 120 miles from the picture on July 12. This is about 40 miles from where tracks were found in Schoolcraft County on February 20, 2020. Michigan now has confirmation of no less than 74 mountain lion sightings in the state over the last 14 years. There's not a lot of trees [and] not a lot of great habitat for cougars. This conversation has been edited for clarity and conciseness. After an increase in sightings around 2008, the state Department of Natural Resources created a team to keep track of animals. having been a result of poached cougar carcasses. July 13, Ontonagon County: A trail camera photo was captured of a cougar. About a month later, a trail camera captured a cougar in Delta County, more than 150 miles from the photo taken in Chippewa County on June 6. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. DNR forest resources professionals maintain healthy forests, manage wildfire, maintain responsible harvesting certifications and improve wildlife habitat. This is about 125 miles from where tracks were found on May 12 in Luce County. Is there a population of wild cougars in Michigan? That stands to reason because so far we havent found any evidence cougars are breeding in the Upper Peninsula, so theres no established population here. Ever Wanted to Own an Island? On September 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southern Dickinson County. Public Meetings; Eleven confirmed panther sightings were made in 2019, 15 mountain lions were spotted in Michigan in 2020. Saliby: Cody Norton is a large carnivore specialist with the DNR. Norton: From what we can tell, you know, a lot of times, some of our reports from last year were, you know, photos that were taken the same day within a mile of each other. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Ten mountain lion sightings have now been confirmed in Michigans Upper Peninsula in 2021, according to the DNR. No evidence of cougars has been found. Norton: Yeah, so you know, just because we get a photo of a cougar doesn't mean that it necessarily came from Michigan or that it hasn't been altered in some way. Please view our directory listingfor general contact information. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. We should never run from a cougar or other large carnivores. At one point, the animal roamedall 48 contiguous states in the United States, according to the Cougar Fund, a Wyoming-based nonprofit that educates people on and advocates for the protection of these animals. And in 2020, Michiganders reported seeing cougars 14 times, the most since the team formed. Never run from a cougar or other large carnivore. He's been with WDIV since 2013. Cougars are primarily nocturnal although they can be active during the day. On November 7, 2020, a trail camera photo was captured of a cougar in southwest Baraga County. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Click the box above for tips and tricks to fill your basket. 100 Days Later: What Happens When Voters Put Democrats in Charge of State Government? Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. 100 Days Later: What Happens When Voters Put Democrats in Charge of State Government? What should I do if I encounter a cougar? At least 6 cougars have been spotted in Michigan so far this year. A wolverine was once spotted in the county, Hanson said, and a black bear was sighted multiple times in the Upper Thumb about 20 years ago. Cougar sightings are on the rise in Michigan. DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state.

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