In March, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced the sighting of two cougar cubs in the Upper Peninsula. It was the first time cougar cubs had been verified in the state in over 100 years.
The cubs had not been spotted since, leaving many in the DNR to wonder if the cubs had survived.
But earlier this month, the DNR received images of cougars from a private land owner's trail camera in Ontonagon County. Judging by size, the DNR believes these are the same cubs. They estimate the cubs to now be around a year old, which is halfway through the species adolescence cycle. The DNR is unaware of the sex of the cubs.
DNR Wildlife Biologist Brian Roell says the new information is "historic."
"Not only for Michigan, but also for folks that follow cougars, particularly Eastern cougars," Roell explained. "Because this is the first time in well over 100 years we have verified reproduction east of the Mississippi River and possibly even east of the Missouri River."
Cougars were once a native Michigan species, until they were hunted nearly out of existence a century ago. They are now on Michigan's endangered species list and are protected under state law.
"The chances of seeing one are very rare," Roell said. "What I always tell people is that all wildlife has to be the potential to be dangerous. They don't have to have claws or sharp teeth or be large. All wildlife should be treated with respect. If you happen to see one make your presence known, talk loud, back away from it, don't try to approach it."
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