For the first time in more than a century, cougar cubs have been confirmed to be living in the wilds of Michigan.
On Wednesday, state biologists verified the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County, located in the western Upper Peninsula. The spotted cubs, estimated to be between 7 and 9 weeks old, were first captured in photographs taken on March 6 by a local resident.
This marks the first confirmed sighting of cougar cubs in Michigan since the species was hunted to extinction in the state in the early 1900s, according to Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Roell, a wildlife biologist with 26 years of experience, led the team that confirmed the cubs’ presence.
“It’s incredibly exciting,” said Roell. “This could represent the first known cougar reproduction in the western Great Lakes states—Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota—in modern times. It’s a testament to the incredible habitat we have here in Michigan, where wildlife like wolves, moose, and now cougars, can coexist in the wild.”
The cubs were photographed without their mother, who plays a crucial role in their survival. Cougar cubs typically remain with their mother for the first two years of their lives.
While cougars are native to Michigan, most of the individuals currently observed in the state are believed to be transient animals, migrating from western states. The DNR has verified 132 adult cougar reports, but DNA testing has so far only confirmed the presence of male cougars, Roell noted.
The cubs have not been sighted since March 6, and Roell stressed their vulnerability at this stage. “Young cougars are especially at risk,” he said. “We don’t know if they’re even still alive. Nature can be unforgiving.”
Residents who spot a cougar are encouraged to report their sighting through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field reporting system. Since cougars are listed as an endangered species in Michigan, it is illegal to hunt, harass, or disturb them, including attempts to locate their den. Additionally, trespassing on private property is prohibited.
