In March, scientists found two cougar cubs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Ontonagon County for the first time in more than 100 years. This county is just 20 miles from the Wisconsin border, and the cubs represent a huge victory for the species.
Cougars, also known as mountain lions, are the largest species of wild cat in the United States. Their main range extends from Alaska down to South America, with their historical range all across the U.S. and parts of Canada.
Cougars were originally native to Wisconsin, but due to habitat loss and predator control through hunting, cougars were eradicated in the early 1900s. Today, there is no true evidence of a living population of cougars in Wisconsin, but there have been sightings of individual cougars.
Male cougars are known to disperse widely across their ranges, looking for mates, food or new territory, whereas females are less likely to disperse and prefer to stay within their native home ranges. This is why many Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) specialists believe that most individual cougar sightings within Wisconsin are male and that there is no active breeding population within the state.
The discovery of cubs, especially so close to the border, is a huge accomplishment in bringing back the species to its native homeland. A small range of cougars in North and South Dakota could be expanding their range, possibly bringing females closer to Wisconsin to eventually breed, stay and create a population.
Cougars can be easily mistaken for other wild mammals, such as bobcats and lynx. If you see a cougar, you can report an observation to the Wisconsin DNR with details such as time, place and any evidence of the cougar. Cougars are reclusive and will tend to stay away from humans. However, according to the Wisconsin DNR, if approached by a cougar, stand tall, wave your arms, throw objects and yell. Never run and always back away slowly.
Cougars are protected by state law. Shooting a cougar is prohibited in Wisconsin unless you or your livestock or animals are threatened, and charges can be filed.
