Cougar sightings confirmed in Wisconsin

First cougar sightings of the year have been confirmed in Wisconsin. The DNR says they’ve got positive IDs on cougars in Marinette and Langlade counties.  That means eight years in a row of cougars confirmed in the state. 

 

Biologist David MacFarland doesn’t necessarily see a trend.  He says the sightings have been sporadic and so far the cougars seen in the state all appear to be males that come from the same area in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  MacFarland says the animals are on the move away from a densely populated area and on the prowl for females.  He says there has not yet been a confirmed female cougar in the state.

 

 MacFarland says the big cats have never attacked a human or a domestic animal in Wisconsin.  Cougars are a protected species and hunting is not allowed.