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Subscribe to RSSThis cougar made it to Connecticut from South Dakota's Black Hills last year before being hit and killed by a car.
American cougars are moving back into their native Midwest habitat after nearly going extinct last century, researchers reported Thursday.
It turns out they're doing it largely on their own, without the help of humans, by gradually finding corridors out of their western enclaves.
The species seems to have found a way "to naturally recolonize the Midwest," said Clay Nielsen, co-author of a study published in Journal of Wildlife Management, released Thursday.
Three breeding populations have been found in western parts of Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, he added, and probably started dispersing east from the population in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
The researchers studied 178 confirmed cougar sightings over the last 20 years to reach that finding. They also found that sightings have increased steadily over time. The most sightings, 67, have been in Nebraska.
Some of the 178 sightings were certainly repeats of the same cougar, Nielsen acknowledged, but the researchers were still confident about their conclusions because 56 of the sightings were carcasses found across the Midwest, said Nielsen, a forest wildlife assistant professor at Southern Illinois University.
Journal of Wildlife Management
The areas shaded green are existing cougar habitat, including populations in Nebraska and the Dakotas. The black dots are cougar sightings from 1990 to 2008.
The most famous sighting was a male cougar that made his way 1,500 miles from the Black Hills to Connecticut last year before being hit and killed by a car.
American cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, had been restricted to the West, as well as a few in Florida, after being hunted as a pest across the East and Midwest in the first half of the 1900s.
Starting in the 1960s, their status changed from "bountied predator" that hunters could legally target to a "managed game species" with certain protections.
In the West, where up to 35,000 cats are spread across 14 states, cougars are not listed on the federal Endangered Species Act because that issue is considered on a statewide basis, Tim Dunbar, head of the Mountain Lion Foundation, told msnbc.com.
The group is worried that any resurgence will be undermined by what it considers lax state policies.
Chuck Anderson / Colorado Parks & Wildlife
These three cougar kittens were photographed during a research project in southeast Wyoming while the mother watched from about 100 yards away.
"Decisions made by Wyoming, South Dakota, and now Nebraska are placing that specific lion population at risk," Dunbar said. "Also it seems that several Midwestern lawmakers are trying to make it legal to kill any lions that might survive to make it to their states."
The researchers said part of the challenge is in reassuring a public that has "been living without large carnivores there for nearly a century."
Mountain lion shot dead in Santa Monica courtyard
"The risk of being attacked by cougars is very, very, very low," Nielsen insisted. "Man has much more to fear from fellow humans and many other animals than cougars in the Midwest."
In fact, he says, simply spotting a cougar is extremely rare. "The odds of a sighting are a little more likely than winning the lottery, but not a whole lot."
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Oh, excuse me. I read the headline and thought this was a story about older, sexy women moving to the midwest ISO of younger, virile men.
lol.
One of my friends recently got a sighting of one. He was walking in the woods behind his house and sat down under a large ledge to take a break when a cougar jumped down from said ledge and ran off.
Many years ago, someone said they had saw one running at the side of the road. I didn't believe him.
Now I do! This is in Kentucky btw. It's not "official" that they're here yet, but I'm going to assume that they are since they are just to the west on the map.
think two legged type and re-read the article...hilarious........:)
I swear I saw a mountain lion by the side of I-84 in Connecticut about a year ago. Everyone in the car was quiet for a minute, trying to comprehend what we just saw... and then we all asked each other almost at the same time, "Was that a f--king cougar?!"
No lie; I have witnesses to prove it.
Hurry up, somebody Call Ted Nugent!
Insulting term for a Mature woman used by young guys w/o a clue.
The cougars are the predators, Janine, not the young men. Why do you think they call them cougars?
I spent a long, miserable year working in Northern Wisconsin in 2009. It was reported that residents in a nursing home nearby watched a cougar sun itself in the field next to the building for a few minutes, then got up and walked away.
Then there was a newspaper story where some "hunter" treed a cougar in Minnesota...called the DNR and asked if it was legal to shoot them. The guy he talked to had to check on that. About 2-3 hours later, he called back and said it was legal.
This @!$%# kept the cat treed for that time, then shot it and killed it when he was told he wouldn't get into trouble.
Really reputable hunter, he was.
Welcome back to the midwest, ladies.
Janine-1645002
You know how guys are. But I don't think we mean to insult by the term 'cougar'. They're a prized group of women respected for their social status, being professional, beauty, and intellect. There's nothing wrong with that. I'd rather be with a 40-something cougar than a woman in her late teens - early 20s who is rude, selfish, lacking in intellect, and no ambition.
They have been in so. IL and no. Ky from early 60's, saw a pair chasing a deer in the early 70's no. of Metropolis, IL. The government placed pairs in the national Forrest in so. IL. They are now in the land between the lakes in KY. Guess Uncle didn't think they could swim the ohio river.
It should not be legal to shoot any animal just for sport. If you are going to kill an animal it should be for one of only two reasons, either you are planning on using the animal for food or the animal is an immediate threat to a person's life. Since cougars will run away from people is they have the opportunity and they are not considered a food source, there is no reason to be out there shooting them. They are beautiful animals who tend to be pretty solitary by nature and are not known to attack people unprovoked. There have been a few isolated incidents of people being attacked by cougars, but these are extremely rare and occur when people are invading their habitat and make the animal feel threatened. I know there was a case of a person who was riding their bicycle through Mission Trails Park in San Diego who was attacked by a cougar, but the cougar did not kill the person. In fact once the person was down the cougar ran off. It was never clear what prompted the cougar to attack, but it obviously was not to kill the person because it saw the person as food. The person was injured in the attack but made a full recovery. I can not recall hearing any instances of cougars killing people in a very long time. I have nothing against people who hunt and use the animal for food and use the skins either for clothing or decoration. I do not even mind sport hunters who simply want a trophy and donate the meat. What I can not tolerate is people shooting an animal just for the "fun of it" or to take a trophy or pelt and leave the meat to rot. If you are going to kill another living thing it should be for a purpose, not just for enjoyment.
Saw one crossing the road in Grand Rapids MN a few years back,pretty cool.
Just 2 weeks ago my son spotted a cougar on our So. Indiana farm (very close to both Kentucky and Ohio). Could not beleive his own eyes but his girlfriend was with him and she saw it too!
Cougars are DEFINITELY here in michigan.
my parents have caught images of them on their deer cam...
and the paw prints in their yard. havent seen one in person, but others in the area have.
they mostly avoid people...
Yeah, I thought it was an article about Demi Moore moving back to Kansas.
Hey JS in SD, I've seen your posts before, but I just noticed now that you also have a chinchilla for your avatar. Coooool!
I hope the cougars make their way here to western PA, if they haven't already.
Here kitty, kitty......BANG!
these Big Cats have evolved for 20,000,000 years and We peoples for 2,000,000 years. Animals AKA God's Innocent Children have been Earth's caretakers for 400,000,000 years and doing a great job of it while WE Humans, an errant spin off from the great apes, 2,000,000 years ago have been a One Species Wrecking Team on Planet Earth for the last 200 years; so who deserves tenure? The Animals.
Makes you wonder why they're migrating to the Midwest. Maybe they know something we don't know - some natural catastrophe about to occur in the West...drought, wildfires, etc.
Saying that, maybe they're impervious to tornadoes...
I would rather have cougars near by that a neghbor with pitbulls.
"They are beautiful animals who tend to be pretty solitary by nature and are not known to attack people unprovoked." & "I can not recall hearing any instances of cougars killing people in a very long time."
A simple google search brought up these statistics about cougar attacks & cougars killing people. From 1991 through 2003 there were 73 confirmed attacks with 10 of those people killed (and usually partially eaten) by mt. lions in the U.S. and Canada.
Yes, statistically speaking, you are not very likely to be attacked by a mt. lion. But as someone who has stared directly into the eyes of a mt. lion here in Nevada while out deer hunting one year, I can tell you...statistics don't mean squat when you are face to face with one.
If I lived in the midwest, I'd rather live w/out them than with them. But that's just me.
Js in Sd- wrong, a cougar stalked my brother and he had to kill it.
man i absolutely adore cougars, they are really hot as well as so sexy and.....what?....four legs?......never mind...........:)
Unfortunate, but I am the same age as said cougars, to equal out the age difference I would have to be hit on out at the wrinkle ranch. :(
If you gently pull the skin on the back of a cougar's neck; it makes the facial wrinkles disappear. It gives them the appearance of a young Asian lady.
LOL @ Sirlafalot
Just hold 'em by the ears.
Sirlafalot, thank you for the best laugh of the day and thanks for the tip! I like a person who thinks outside the box!
Cougars are majestic animals and deserve some level of protection. Here in MN we have had a trigger happy farmer kill one awhile back .It was illegal and he could have been hit with a fine-but don't know what happened. I saw one once while deer hunting in N MN and it was a beautiful sight.
As long as they stay away from pets...
So that's what happens with all of those "actress/models/golddiggers" that don't make it in NYC and LA, they go back home. It's a shame to have to control their population though.
To me those deer are just as majestic... and yes I live in a state that has an over-population...but still.
Gorgetta, while they are fun to look at, they are also pests (they'll empty a bird feeder if it is in reach; tender new plant growth is food) and traffic hazards. You are welcome to come to Plymouth, MN, to help thin out the herd. I see them in my back yard or the wooded area behind our house once a week--as many as 7 at a time. Occasionally we see a buck, but mostly doe's. No cougars yet, but we have also seen pheasants, a great horned owl, red fox, grey fox, marmot and raccoons. Something went after our bird feeder a few years back, bending the shepherd's hook it was attached to (3/4" to 1" iron) 45 degrees. Might have been a big buck, but my first thought was a black bear...
They're beautiful animals who will eat your dog or cat and have been known to attack small children. Personally, I'd rather they not venture into residential areas. Who wants to read about a hungry cougar attacking small kids?
Xina,
it is people that venture into cougar territory!
Midwestern ecosystems are out of balance for many reasons. One of these reasons is the absence of predators to control exploding populations of deer and mesopredators (ex raccoons). The spread of cougars and wolves outward from their existing strongholds is very good news. Hopefully they will find enough protected habitats for breeding populations to become established.
American Cougars and American Wolves we do not need on America's Farms decimating the crop and farm animals. KILL them all.
Cougars and wolves eat crops?
Vegan Cougar killers!!! Whhooo, I am scared to go outside to water the Mators.........
Ray-2194047 & AG99 you're both wrong, that's the additude of ignorance. Both the wild cats and wolves as well as coyotes and fox are needed to keep the balance in nature. If you're a farmer too bad, it's the career choice YOU made, deal with your loss of income the same way the rest of the country does. Elimination of an entire species for the happiness of another is the same thinking as Hitler eliminating the Jews.
I'm pretty sure cougars and wolves are carnivores. They don't eat crops.
Well some of the cougars in SoCal are vegan. Might also be true in San Fran.
Read much, Brenda? What did my comment have to do with supporting the killing of cougars and wolves?
Living where I live it get to see a lot of different wild life. So, Ray 2194047, I can recognize the "great American Troll" just by his writing. There ought to be a troll season.
Yes, Ray, and don't forget black bears. Are you aware a few hundred years ago there were plenty of cougars and black bears and no feral hog problem? Feral hogs are responsible for more economic losses to farmers and ranchers than predators could ever be.
You might want to study ecosystems and invasive species.
I was going to make some kind of smart ass reply to this stupid post, but I think everyone else has it covered. Never mind.
I like how the douchebags like Ray-2194047 leave hate-filled comments and then run away.
Pixie, are you sure or really sure that Cougers don't eat gardens?? You sound like the girl I have been looking for a long time :)
ROFL, Brenda!!! That's all I need to say! You made me laugh!
Brenda - first ease up on who you scold and read first, otherwise your point is right.
I'm glad to hear they are making a comeback. There are way to many deer and this will help get that population back in check. Like they said the chances of seeing these or coming into contact with them is remote at best. Obviously if there was a major population boom and they started moving towards larger cities and showing up in suburbs we may have to do something but its long overdue that we get this our ecosystems back in balance. Finding ways to live and work with, instead of against, nature is always the better solution. It is time more of us start accepting that fact.
Ummm, Cougars are out west and people live with them just fine. They have not decimated farm animals and I've never heard of a cougar eating a small child or a pet. Here your cat is more likely to be taken by a hawk and your dog by a coyote than a cougar. There have been very rare attacks on humans where the humans were hiking in remote areas.
You sir are a fool. It is you that has trespassed onto their territory with your fences and pastures for your cows, horses, goats and sheep. The mountain lion or wolf is only doing what nature designed them for. It is you who brought them in easy meals by you stealing their hunting lands. Since you are the trespasser sacrificing an animal now and then is not a big cost. It is mankind that has spred far and wide and made thier hunting areas even smaller thus the interaction with your farms. Live with the fact that these are beautiful animals and they were here before you and your farm was.
F--- O-- Jim
No, the ones in San Francisco are fags. Could be a few hippie cougars left there in Haight-Ashbury also.
No, they are dangerous wild animals and eat the farm animals (cows, pigs, chickens, etc.). They also go after the domestic pets and people are not that far behind. Why do you think our forefathers did everything they could to remove them from their farm areas. Rural people know better. The "city" people who think cougars, bears and wolves are friendly need to spend some time with them in a cage with them. They would make the animal a good lunch.
Nobody thinks cougars, bears and wolves are friendly. But most farmers and ranchers here in the west have come to terms with their continued existence.
Nobody has the right to eliminate an entire species for their own personal convenience.
I live in the suburbs, and we still have the occasional cougar wander through, and even sometimes a bear.
Wrong, klayton. I live in the mountains now. We have bears, coyotes and cougars. They don't take domestic animals very much. They mostly avoid humans, with only rare exceptions. More livestock is lost to domestic dogs that owners allow to roam than to wild predators. A lot of the kills by domestic dogs are blamed on wild predators. Farmers and ranchers don't have exclusive rights to the land. It belongs to all of us. Most people want to maintain a natural balance. If you can't make a living farming, it isn't going to be due to cougars. They might take a cow, or something once in a while, but if they do, it is a meal that will last them weeks if not months. Wild pigs are destroying the forests in many areas. A few more cougars would help. You really have no idea what you are talking about. I have lived around these animals a long time, and understand the respect I have to show to them. Common sense precautions, and you won't have any problems.
I'm a city girl, and I'm not dumb enough to think wild animals are friendly. I am lucky to be living in a rural area now, and almost every night you can hear coyotes howl...it is very cool to listen to it, yet I wouldn't be dumb enough to sit outside if a bunch of them should come into the yard. NOR am I stupid enough to let my pets run loose outside unless I am there to get them back inside.
Besides, like Sarge says, dogs that are allowed to run sometimes kill livestock.
I do know enough about these beautiful creatures in that they aren't slaughtering every animal one has on the farm. As a matter of fact, doesn't the government pay you if you lose one that way?
Old Sarge - Very much? rare exceptions?
Sorry, but I don't want to live the way my friends in the mountians do, ot being able to leave a dog or cat outside, worrying about small children, having to have bear proof trash containers etc. I don't want to walk out my door in the morning and see a bear or a wolf or a cougar between me and my car.
Call me a sissy, I don't care... If I wanted to live with wild animals I'd live in the sticks. Please don't let them into residential areas!
It's always the ignorant & clueless that leave first comments...
Klayton - Sarge is right and you are wrong. Well, I'll give you the fact they can be dangerous but do they pose a danger, no. This is long overdue and we need balance back in our ecosystems, won't be like it was before humans showed up, and I wouldn't expect that, but we can do much better learning to live and work with nature that is to the benefit of both sides. Wiping out all the predators because we are scared is stupid and ignorant; like your comment. And most people know these animals aren't for petting, the ones that don't think that (adults not small children they have an excuse) can go ahead and try to pet them for all I care. That way they will remove themselves from the gene pool and do us a favor.
Xina - I don't want them running down my street either but if I lived in an area that bordered a forest or something then that comes with the territory. You act as if people are going to go around and "let" them into residential areas?? Who's letting what here? These animals act on their own. And yes is it rare to encounter them. Even more so if you live in a suburb, like almost zero and these animals are just now making a comeback. As long as you stay in the suburb you likely have nothing to worry about. In fact other everyday activities have the chance of hurting you more than a run in with a cougar.
Again, this is a good thing and people need to start learning how to live and work with nature, sometimes this is what comes with the territory. I hope the states in the areas show some common sense and don't revert back to past failed policies.
In fact, people were pointing out the hog problem. Another prime example of going out of balance and creating an even worse problem. Don't know if these cats would go that far south but I'm sure Texas would love to have them. Be a perfect aid in their struggle with the hog issues they have. Cougar vs a hog, that would be a site to see.
I live in a very rural area surrounded by diary farmers, amish farmers, goat farms, horse farms and alpaca farms and not one farmer has complained about the cougars living in our area. The deer population is huge and that keeps the cougars and other predators well fed. You must also remember that because of farms and urban areas expanding that the predators have been elimnated or the populations dwindled thus the over population of deer, feral pigs and other critters. The wolves, cougars and other predators will keep thier numbers under control and eventually there will be an even balnce that nature intended in the first place . it is mankind that moved into their hunting lands and forced them out or killed them for the profit from some farm livestock. Well if the farmer was not there with easy meals for them then it would not be a problem. the people who choose to raise livestock in their territory have to take that cjhance and lose an animal now and then. Oh I know you want the feral pigs to uproot your crops, lanscaping and more. More money is lost to feral pigs than cougars or wolves. So accept that and try to live in harmony with nature because nature will win.
Native Americans shared their environment with these animals just fine, so to say they need to be exterminated because they're dangerous is just plain stupid.
Hey Xina- that's good. Stay in the city. We don't want you here.
@wamp ~ "Native Americans shared their environment with these animals just fine"
With over 550 federally recognized tribe, you know that they all got along with cougars "just fine"? As enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, these posts from folks that probably don't even know an Indian are both annoying and amusing in the uninformed inclusiveness. My Blackfeet ancestors did kill cougar and used the pelt and other parts for clothes, food and decorations in the lodges. Well, I guess they did get along fine on their own terms. I don't know anything about the other tribes since they aren't my business but a lot of tribes had as much in common as a Norwiegen and an Italian.
I wonder how the photographer managed to hike all the way out into the Wyoming wilderness lugging around that giant set of brass balls.
lol...I know...the mother probably sat there thinking something like "WTF?"
bluepanther20......LMAO!!! Now I can't get that out of my head.
A 4wheeler and a zoom lens.
And yet the photographer was presumably unharmed. Really dangerous mother, that cougar was.
While living in Illinois a few years ago, I was deer hunting from a ground blind and got the poop scared out of me when a cougar came into view. It was stalking something (thankfully not me) The foot prints were HUGE. I was at a state park and the rangers told me there was no way it was a cougar. Evidently, they didn't believe a woman knew what she was seeing. Then a few weeks later, it is discovered that the state released several cougars a few counties away. The only reason that they quit denying it was that a farmer got pictures of one on a trail camera. It is fine to help the populations of cougars and other wild animals BUT there should not be any denial of the facts and the public should be made aware. Especially when there is a cougar in a state park that has trails that parents take their small children on.
I am always so surprised that people think they have the right to kill an animal that has encroached on their land when it is ALL of US who have taken their natural habitats. We have as much right to kill an animal that is not directly threatening us at the moment as we do another human being.
In my state the game and fish tell us their aren't any cougars yet the public keeps coming up with pictures of them. I like the idea of them eating raccoons, wonder if they eat armadillo's too? If so then our game and fish should stop trading off our turkeys for rattlesnakes and get some cougars.
Cougars are also a growing problem in and around the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC. Where, in fact, the risk of being attacked by a cougar is much higher than stated in the article. Look out for the warning signs: they usually travel in packs of 4-6 and mostly hunt after 10pm Thursdays through Saturdays. Their natural habitat are "clubs"(especially Cosmos and Villa Antonio) that serve high priced martinis and other sweet drinks. Men are advised to avoid opening up more than the top button of their shirt, never to wear gold jewelry and men under 25 years old are asked to remain indoors during peak hours. Cougars are easily recognizable by their strong perfumed smell, overly applied makeup and are often found wearing clothing stolen from their teenage daughter's room. If you spot a cougar AVOID EYE CONTACT AND DO NOT approach, they will surround you, steal your wallet, and drag you back to their lair. If you are attacked by a cougar proceed to the nearest bathroom and lay low until the pack moves on. The other option is get them into the light, they are averse to natural light as it shows them for what they are. As always, keep a whistle and flares handy to signal for help. Good luck and stay safe.
I was pawed by a cougar once when I was 17. She had big ol' long claws. I was scared stiff.
LOL!!! love it Scott :)
I am too old to be attacked by a cougar anymore.
lol...and here I was gonna jump on Scott about the pack..."WTF is he talking about...?"
I'd much rather have the cougars than the indigenous species of wolves that have been turned loose.....
Here in West Virginia we keep having reports of mountain lions in the Eastern highlands. Department of Natural Resources keeps denying they exist, but too many cases of reports, tracks, scats - they are here!
A cougar was sited a few acres away from my house here in MO earlier this spring. Chances are it wandered on, but what if it didn't? They are carnivores. I have a 7 year old child whom I cannot allow to freely play in the woods. There are other children in our neighborhood. Another cougar was sighted and killed here in MO by a hunter in a deer stand a few years ago. That cougar caught his scent and was stalking him. He had a gun. My child will not. For those who think these animals should be protected, send your child out to play. Take a chance with your kid. Live the life and I bet your opinion will change.
We do that daily here in Colorado. And yet we don't live in fear 24/7.
Easy fix, get your family a nice big dog & tell the kids not to go hiking without Rover. The kids grow up not afraid of nature & benefit from the responsibility of owning a dog.
You are too fearful to live in the country. Move to the city. I live in the mountains in a very rural area. In fact, my land borders a national forest. I raised two sons who are grown now. We have bears, wolves, cougars. Common sense precautions, and you will never have a problem. The biggest danger, anywhere, is the human predators. Most people in this country want a natural balance, and are unwilling to eliminate an entire species just so you can let your 7 year old wander in the woods alone.
The Nanny State is trying to outlaw all breeds of dog large enough to do what you suggest, Ghiz. >:-(
Was the Hunter covered in deer urine?
More than likely the cougar was smelling the hunter and as soon as it would have seen it as a human it would have gone the other way. That cougar was not hurting or threatening that hunter. Fear got the better of an un-informed person.
My kids are playing in the woods with some cougars in the area and are just fine. Your fears should not let you keep your children from being kids. The deer, rabbit, racoon, coyote population is way too big and keeps the cougars well fed thus making the woods a safe place for my kids top play with all of their neighbors. Time to stop being afraid of what you do not know and understand.
I'm more afraid of the human predators around children, than cougars!
A local hunter set up a game camera on my land in NW Arkansas and got a photo of a cougar. They're here.
There have been cougar sightings in Steuben County, NY as well. My neighbor took a video of one on her smart phone.... Black, sitting in a field of queen annes lace right behind her house. Sitting down, the cat's head was taller than the queen annes lace! When it stood up and strolled away, it was approximately 7 feet long. Not something I care to run into in my back yard!
Why would women in the age range of 40-45 want to move to the midwest when southern California has great weather. My experience with these cougars are they love to bang you a few times without any commitment, will do anything in the bedroom and then go home. Sometimes we go out, other times it is purely sex. I know Southern California has enough cougars so if 20 leave no big deal, more will come to replace them. Some guys are scared stiff about cougars, these cougars make me stiff.
Best pun of the week............
I have to agree. The two legged subspecies are very rare in the US.
Animals know no political borders. The various states' wildlife people are overworked, underpaid and dedicated. Unfortunately they have to kow-tow to agenda-driven politicians to keep their appropriations, jobs, whatever. The Adirondacks have been home to these beasts for years; yet Encon won't admit it. I am sure these animals have made their presence known throughout the Northeast. The ones who see them are folks in rural and exurban areas, railroad guys, hikers who get into the outback. They present photos of the cats and still the Encon people say, "No, no!". I bet pets take a beating from these cats. I bet at least some hunters and hikers who have mysteriously disappeared have fallen prey to these beasts. Attacks upon humans by cougars are common, not rare. Just ask those that run parks in California.
Oklahoma has them all over the place. Those little dots do not do the population justice. For years the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife denied that there were Black Panthers here but a nicely positioned deer cam caught a great picture in Prague. I was very happy to turn that picture in, he was so beautiful. We go hiking, follow the rules and have a great time. We need to protect these cats and get our wildlife back to the way it use to be.
Feel sorry for all the wildlife. It's bad enough between droughts and wildfires, which help lead them into populated communities.....not to mention the fact that the people are actually branching out more and more into the animals territories and NOT the other way around!! New suburban housing cropping up all the time. Where are they supposed to go? Hello!! They are not in our backyards, so much as----- we have moved into theirs.
Its hard to tell from the map. but it appears as though there is a black dot at the southern tip of lake michigan which would put a sighting in the chicago land area! If so, it would seem that cougars have a highly developed sense of smell for blood!!
Old Sarge,
The facts are, cougar attacks on humans have been on the increase, and sometimes, even if everything was done "right", cougars have killed some people. (Lady pulled off her mountain bike in California, 14 year old boy walking with his family in Rocky Mtn. National Park, and many other instances. They also take many family pets, horses, llamas, and other livestock here in Wa. state. A friend had 14 of his sheep killed in one pasture in one night by a cougar; evidently it was killing for the sake of killing. In one day a number of years ago there were two separate attacks of cougars in two parks hundreds of miles apart in this state. A young girl in the middle of Lake Wenatchee State Park was nearly hauled off before the parents were able to rescue her from the jaws, and the same day a man was attacked in Olympic National Park. These are all facts. There are many more attacks, such as the woman being pulled from her horse while riding with her kids in British Columbia. She was being eaten alive when rescuers got to her. A family friend in Peshatin Wa. had one enter his garage and kill his dog. It also attacked him when he went into the garage in the dark looking for his missing dog. He had minor arm injuries. These are not la la la kumbaya animals when they decide to attack like the city bred peta wackos would have you believe. On the other hand, odds are low of attack and I'm glad there are still some around. They need to be hunted to retain the fear of man, and to open up home territories for younger cats so they don't get forced into town or to dining on pets, livestock, and people when run out of their prime habitat by dominant cats. This system of game management is the best for the cats and the people. That is just common sense and is the only way to maintain them as a species.
The true fact is that the human population is moving into their lands and forcing them into unpredictable situations. The woman on her bike the cougar probably thought of it as a fleeing deer and nature kicked in for it's own survival. If the bike trail had not been built on their land then she would probably be alive today. Humans move into areas and force out the predators feed game thus they have to survive and naturally they see us as a possible meal. You can't blame the cougars you have to blame the stupid humans for encroaching on their land and not understanding that fact. We need to not move into their lands and leave them alone. Only MAN has created the problem.
I have been to Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico) five times, once as a kid and four times as an advisor. Philmont has a good sized mountain lion (cougar) population and I have never heard of any attacks on any of the staff members or scouters who camp out for 12 days and nights in the mountains. I know that they have been around some of our campsites at Philmont because you can hear them howling and even found large cat tracks walking through the site in the morning and lo and behold not one kid or leader was dragged off and eaten alive. If you respect them they respect you.
I am glad to see that they are coming back. I live in SE WI and there have been sitings within 3 miles from where I live. We have a large Coyote population, so it would be nice to have a natural predator around. The only downside is that I would not want to come across one and not be armed with a safety device, such as bear spray.
I had no idea that sexually active middle-aged women were once extinct in the Midwest. I guess the good news is that they have returned!
For those people including farmers or small ranchers who do not like to live with the wildlife. Get one of the large herding breeds such as the Great Pyrenees or the Kuvasz and you should not have one issue. They have been guarding against wolves , large cats and other predators for centuries. They are great with kids and the can do the job.
No killings.