COUGAR SIGHTING IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN LENDS CREDENCE TO AREA TALES
Friday, January 25th, 2008 -- 12:12 PM
Residents have long reported seeing cougars in Wisconsin, but wildlife officials have always been skeptical, saying they've never found evidence.Now, wildlife personnel are investigating reports of a cougar sighting last week near Milton in Rock County.
A trapper told the Department of Natural Resources that he saw a cougar in a barn. The DNR said that it has received "several reports" of cougar sightings in northeastern Rock County and adjacent Walworth County.
Also, DNR personnel have taken photos of footprints and the stride pattern of the animal. The photos were emailed to western cougar experts who say the tracks are consistent with a female or young male cougar.
If the reports are true, the presence of a cougar would be historic. The last known presence of cougars, or mountain lions, in the wild in Wisconsin took place in the early 20th century.
The nearest known habitat for cougars is in the Black Hills in western South Dakota.
If a cougar is found, Wydeven said the DNR might attempt to live-trap the animal and fit it with a monitoring collar. There would be no attempt to move the animal, unless it was found to kill livestock or pets.
You may remember a few years back someone reported seeing a cougar while walking in Listeman Arboretum here in Neillsville.
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