Watch: Wildlife Officials Confirm Endangered Cougar Sighting

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Thursday released video captured by a trail camera showing an adult male cougar feeding on carrion on the Upper Peninsula. Two other sightings were reported on the U.P. earlier this winter.

The video at a recent deer kill site shows the cougar coming back again and again over a period of several hours. The camera was placed at the site by a pair of hunters from Remus, the DNR said.

DNR Wildlife Division staff verified the the sighting, one of about 30 on the U.P.

Cougar sightings have also been reported on the Lower Peninsula. Last year, The Oakland Press reported that Lyon Township resident Nate Rymarz spotted two cougars, each weighing between 60 and 70 pounds, running through his back yard on a winter morning.

“I saw two animals running through the back yard ... saw their tails whipping around, picking snow up,” he said of the Saturday sighting from his kitchen. “You can’t mistake the tail of a cougar.”

The cougar sighting was the second in that area in about six months, though the DNR didn’t confirm either. Randy Pfeifer, of South Lyon, told The Oakland Press his wife had also seen a big cat bedded down on the side of I-96, just west of the Milford Road exit.

“She described it to a ‘T’, glowing yellow eyes and all,” he said.

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In 2013, the DNR received a report of a cougar sighting near Howell, but was unable to provide photos or other documentation.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy dispute the DNR’s claim there have been no confirmed cougar sightings in southeast Michigan

DNR wildlife biologist Brian Roell said that while the agency hadn’t confirmed any sightings on the Lower Peninsula, he didn’t doubt Rymarz’s story.

“I’m not saying that they don’t exist in the northern lower peninsula — we just haven’t confirmed them yet,” he said.

Cougars are protected under the state Endangered Species Act and cannot be harmed except to protect human life or – by permit only – to protect livestock.

It has been illegal since 2000 to own cougars and other large, exotic cats, including African lions, leopards and jaguars. Those who owned exotic pets prior to 2000 may keep them, but no new permits are being issued.

The DNR says cougars confirmed in Michigan may be escaped or released pets, or they may be transient cougars from breeding populations about 900 miles away in North and South Dakota.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy believes there are cougars on the Lower Peninsula, but says chances are slim that people on foot will encounter the stealth cats, even at a distance. On the off chance that you do see a cougar, whether close to home or on the U.P., here are some safety tips:

• Hike in groups and make noise to avoid surprising a cougar. Carry a sturdy walking stick.
• Don’t jog alone. Carry a whistle, noisemaker, and perhaps some mace. Jogging with a dog might actually be more likely to trigger an attack. Cougars may see dogs as prey, rather than a threat.
• Face the cougar and stand upright. Avoid bending over to pick up a gun or stick.
• Try to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket.
• Keep children close to you and pick them up if you see a cougar. Tell them NOT to run.
• Do not approach a cougar, especially one feeding or with kittens. Most cougars will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Do not assume that a fearless cougar is a pet.
• Stop. Back away slowly. Running may stimulate the cougar’s instinct to chase and attack.
• If the cougar approaches you, throw stones, branches, or anything you can get without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly. Try to convince the cougar you are not prey and that you may in fact be a danger to it.
• Fight back! People have successfully warded off attacks with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Remain standing or try to get back up.

In 113 years, cougars have killed only 13 people in North America. That compares with 18 fatal attacks by dogs in the United States every year, the Wildlife Conservancy said.

If you think you’ve seen a cougar, report it to the DNR online or by contacting your local DNR office.

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