Michigan, a state known for its diverse wildlife, has seen a resurgence of interest in the cougar. While these large cats were once considered extirpated from the region, recent decades have brought increasing reports and confirmed sightings, prompting questions about their presence and potential re-establishment within the state.
The Current Status of Cougars in Michigan
Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, were historically native to Michigan but were largely eliminated from the state around the early 1900s due to hunting and habitat loss. The last wild cougar legally taken in Michigan was in 1906. Despite their historical absence, periodic reports of cougar sightings have persisted.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains that there is currently no evidence of a breeding cougar population in the state. Most confirmed cougars are believed to be transient individuals dispersing from established populations in western states, primarily North and South Dakota. These dispersing males can travel hundreds of miles in search of new territories. However, in March 2025, two cougar cubs, estimated to be 7 to 9 weeks old, were verified from photographic evidence in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula. This marks the first time cougar cubs have been verified in Michigan in over a century, indicating potential reproduction in the state.
Evidence of Their Presence
The Michigan DNR reviews reports and verifies cougar presence through various forms of physical evidence. Since 2008, the DNR has confirmed numerous cougar observations, with many sightings occurring in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Confirmed evidence includes trail camera photographs and videos.
Beyond visual evidence, DNA analysis of samples like scat (feces) and hair helps confirm cougar presence and trace their likely origin. Cougar scat is typically larger than one inch in diameter and often contains deer hair. Track identification is another piece of evidence; cougar tracks are distinct, measuring 3-4 inches in diameter with four toe prints and a lobed pad, and typically do not show claw marks as their claws are retractable.
Encountering a Cougar: Safety and Reporting
While cougar encounters are rare, knowing how to react can help ensure safety. If you encounter a cougar, avoid running, as this can trigger their chase instinct. Instead, face the animal, stand tall, and make yourself appear as large as possible by waving your arms or opening your jacket. Speak in a loud, firm voice to deter the animal.
If children are present, pick them up immediately and keep them close. In the rare event of an attack, fight back with any available objects and do not play dead.
Reporting cougar sightings to the Michigan DNR is important for wildlife management. Observations can be reported online through the DNR’s “Eyes in the Field” system. If physical evidence such as scat, tracks, or a carcass is found, it should not be disturbed, and photographs should be taken. Contacting the DNR or their Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline is recommended for physical evidence.
When reporting, it helps to distinguish cougars from other animals like bobcats or large dogs. Cougars are typically tan to brown, weigh between 90 and 180 pounds, and have a body length of 5-6 feet with a long, thick tail that has a black tip.