Michigan DNR confirms eastern U.P. cougar sightings
This trail camera photo of a cougar was taken on public land in western Mackinac County in early November. Another photo was confirmed in Chippewa County in late October. (Photo courtesy Michigan DNR)
ISHPEMING — The Michigan DNR has confirmed two recent cougar sightings in the eastern U.P.
One of them was a photo taken with a camera phone in late October on private property in Chippewa County, near Raber Township. The photo seen here was taken by a trail camera last Saturday on public land in Mackinac County, near Garfield Township.
The DNR believes the cougars are young animals from the Dakotas that were looking for new territory. The agency says there’s no evidence that any cougars are breeding in Michigan.
There have now been 26 confirmed cougar sightings in the U.P. since 2008, in 11 different counties.
The DNR is asking anyone with possible evidence of a cougar sighting to contact a local DNR office or report it online at www.michigan.gov/cougars.