Debate Surrounds Midwestern Mountain Lion Sightings

There is an ongoing dispute over whether or not cougars (also called mountain lions or pumas) now roam throughout the midwestern US. Since this secretive cat is an endangered species, its presences in the region would mean protection efforts would need to be implemented.

There have been a number of unverified cougar sitings by residents in Michigan, but wildlife biologists suspect many of these sightings were mistaken identifications.

The National Parks Service surveyed one park, Sleeping Bear Dunes, looking for mountain lions but they were unable to catch a glimpse of even a single cougar.

Find out more:

• Searching for the Elusive Puma in Michigan (NPR)
• Cougars Reclaim Habitat in Midwestern US

Photo © Joy Fera