lion confirmed in Mich UP

[Emily]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/129751503.html

Cougar confirmed in Wisconsin, now in U.P.
e-mail print By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 13, 2011 |(11) COMMENTS

A cougar passed through northern Wisconsin this summer and was photographed last week in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The animal was captured by trail cameras twice as it moved through Wisconsin, according to Adrian Wydeven, wildlife biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Wisconsin sightings were July 25 in northern Douglas County and Aug. 30 in northern Iron County, Wydeven said.

The sightings were not reported by the department because officials were still attempting to communicate with landowners to verify the authenticity of the photos.

But Michigan wildlife officials on Tuesday reported a cougar was photographed Sept. 8 by a trail camera in Ontonagon County.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Wydeven acknowledged the Wisconsin sightings and said he believes the Wisconsin and Michigan sightings are of the same animal.

The cougar in all three photos has an ear tag and wears a radio collar. It is believed to have traveled from the western U.S.

Regardless of its origin, it is the fifth confirmed cougar in Wisconsin since 2008.