Update: DNR confirms two cougar sightings

MADISON — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources biologists confirm two cougar sightings this year.

Trail cameras captured images of a cougar in Lincoln and Marinette counties. DNR wildlife biologist David MacFarland says the sightings, about 90 miles apart, could be the same cougar.

In the first case, a landowner from Minnesota checking his trail camera last month discovered the image captured in July east of Merrill. He did not have internet access at his cabin and was only in town for the weekend, so a local biologist was contacted and made arrangements to view the photo.

"As you can see, there really isn't any doubt in this photo that it is in fact a cougar," said Shelby Hiestand, DNR wildlife biologist.

Hiestand conducted a site visit and verified the location of the photo. The photo was taken July 30, but scat found at the site was collected for genetic testing. According to Hiestand, it would be extremely unusual for a cougar to stay in the area for that length of time. Results of the genetic analysis are still pending.

In the second case, the cougar in Marinette County was photographed with a trail camera on Sept. 1 near Middle Inlet and was reported to the DNR Sept. 30. Warden Tim Werner investigated the site and documented that the trail camera photos of the cougar were taken at the reported site.

The distance between these two sightings is approximately 90 miles, and a cougar could easily cover this distance in the 33 days between the photos. However, without genetic confirmation the department cannot be certain it is the same animal.

There is currently no evidence that cougars are breeding in Wisconsin. Biologists believe the cougars known to have entered Wisconsin are male cougars dispersing from a breeding population in the Western United States.

Cougars are a protected species in Wisconsin and cannot be shot unless attacking a human or a domestic animal. Cougar attacks on humans are very rare, and there have been no confirmed conflicts between cougars and people or domestic animals in Wisconsin.

Cougars are not considered a threat to public safety, and in the extremely unlikely event that a person is confronted by a cougar, face the animal and spread your arms and open your coat or jacket to appear larger. If the cougar approaches, make noise and throw rocks or sticks.

The Journal Sentinel says the DNR received dozens of reports of potential cougar sightings in 2013, but only eight were confirmed as probable and three were verified. Experts say cougars had virtually disappeared in Wisconsin in 1910.

Information from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This story has been updated with information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

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