Michigan DNR verifies existence of two cougar cubs for the first time in over 100 years
A resident who wishes to remain anonymous took photos of cougar cubs spotted in the U.P. (Michigan DNR).
According to the Michigan DNR, cougar cubs were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s. Now, for the first time in over a hundred years, the DNR has verified the existence of two cougar cubs living in the Michigan wild.
The spotted cubs, believed to be 7-9 weeks old, were found on private land in Ontonagon County. A local resident took photos on March 6, and state biologists verified the finding on March 12.
Brian Roell is a large carnivore specialist for the DNR and has been a wildlife biologist for 26 years. He led the team that verified the cubs.
“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Roell, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
According to the Michigan DNR, the last known wild cougar taken from the state was near Newberry in 1906. There have been numerous sightings in recent years from various locations, with the DNR verifying 132 adult cougar reports.
Since DNR testing has confirmed only male cougars to date and no cubs, the DNR says they appear to be transient animals that disperse into Michigan from Western states. According to a press release, this is the first time cougar cubs have been verified since they were hunted out of existence in the state.
“It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild. It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.”
Cougar cubs are highly dependent on their mothers and often stay with them for the first two years of life. The U.P. cubs were spotted and photographed without their mother and have not been seen since March 6.
“Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now,” Roell said. “We don’t know where they are or if they’re even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel.”
According to Roell, cougars are on the list of endangered mammals in Michigan, which means it is illegal to hunt or harass them. This includes trying to locate their den. Roell noted that it is also illegal to trespass on private property.
If you see a cougar, you can log it in the DNR’s Eyes in the Field reporting system. For the latest information on cougars, including the DNR’s cougar sightings photo page, visit Michigan.gov/Cougar.