Cougar cubs have been spotted in the Michigan wilderness for the first time more than a century.
Biologists with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the finding after photos were taken of two cute spotted cubs on private land in the western Upper Peninsula. Their mother was not seen. The cubs are believed to be just 7 to 9 weeks old. The pictures were taken on March 6 by a resident.
“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Brian Roell, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The Great Lakes states refer to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
“It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild,” continued Roell. “It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.”
Adult cougars are known to travel into Michigan from states to the west but no cubs have been seen in more than 100 years.
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