DNR Investigates Possible Cougar Sighting In Rock County
Animal Last Seen Near Storr's Lake Wildlife Area
Updated: 7:47 am CST January 23, 2008
MILTON, Wis. -- The state Department of Natural Resources is investigating the apparent sighting of a cougar last week northeast of the Rock County city of Milton.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe DNR has received several reports of cougar observations in northeast Rock County and adjacent Jefferson County over the past couple of months, according to Doug Fendry, DNR wildlife supervisor at Fitchburg.Experts said that the animal's tracks are "consistent" with that of a cougar. Wardens photographed tracks and collected blood and urine samples, which will be submitted for genetic analysis to confirm whether the animal is a North American cougar."If this turns out to be a wild cougar, it's exciting news. For wildlife biologists, this is something you don't encounter too often. The last time we actually had a cougar verified in Wisconsin was 100 years ago in 1908," Fendry said.Cougars are listed as "protected wild animals" in Wisconsin which means a permit would be required from the DNR before someone could kill the animal. The DNR said cougars like to live where there are open and wooded areas with a lot of deer.Fendry said that people shouldn't get overly concerned about news of a possible cougar sighting in the area. He said cougars coexist fine with people and that it is very rare to have an incident between a cougar and the public.The DNR said it will be checking roadways, pastures, marshes and wild lands over the next several days, mainly in the Rock County Towns of Milton and Lima, and especially near Storr's Lake and Lima Marsh Wildlife Areas. The apparent cougar in question was last seen near Storr's Lake Wildlife Area.Fendry said that people should contact him if they observe a large cat in the northeast Rock County and southern Jefferson County area. He can be reached at 608-275-3230. Fendry said that, if possible, people should take digital photos of the animal and its tracks and record the time and exact location of the observation.The DNR said that it will continue to monitor reports and that it would consider capturing or radio collaring the animal or removing it from the wild. Although reports of cougars have been received around the state over the ensuing years, none have been documented as wild cats since the early 1900s, the DNR said in a news release. There have been several instances of captive cougars in Wisconsin escaping into the wild before recapture or disappearance. Cougars have been documented in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe DNR has received several reports of cougar observations in northeast Rock County and adjacent Jefferson County over the past couple of months, according to Doug Fendry, DNR wildlife supervisor at Fitchburg.Experts said that the animal's tracks are "consistent" with that of a cougar. Wardens photographed tracks and collected blood and urine samples, which will be submitted for genetic analysis to confirm whether the animal is a North American cougar."If this turns out to be a wild cougar, it's exciting news. For wildlife biologists, this is something you don't encounter too often. The last time we actually had a cougar verified in Wisconsin was 100 years ago in 1908," Fendry said.Cougars are listed as "protected wild animals" in Wisconsin which means a permit would be required from the DNR before someone could kill the animal. The DNR said cougars like to live where there are open and wooded areas with a lot of deer.Fendry said that people shouldn't get overly concerned about news of a possible cougar sighting in the area. He said cougars coexist fine with people and that it is very rare to have an incident between a cougar and the public.The DNR said it will be checking roadways, pastures, marshes and wild lands over the next several days, mainly in the Rock County Towns of Milton and Lima, and especially near Storr's Lake and Lima Marsh Wildlife Areas. The apparent cougar in question was last seen near Storr's Lake Wildlife Area.Fendry said that people should contact him if they observe a large cat in the northeast Rock County and southern Jefferson County area. He can be reached at 608-275-3230. Fendry said that, if possible, people should take digital photos of the animal and its tracks and record the time and exact location of the observation.The DNR said that it will continue to monitor reports and that it would consider capturing or radio collaring the animal or removing it from the wild. Although reports of cougars have been received around the state over the ensuing years, none have been documented as wild cats since the early 1900s, the DNR said in a news release. There have been several instances of captive cougars in Wisconsin escaping into the wild before recapture or disappearance. Cougars have been documented in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
