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Camera captures images of cougar in western Upper Peninsula

Posted at 7:59 PM, Oct 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-25 19:59:18-04

IRONWOOD, Mich. (AP) — State wildlife officials say a cougar has been spotted in Michigan’s far western Upper Peninsula.

The animal was photographed about 9 miles north of Ironwood by a game camera set up by the Department of Natural Resources to record deer movement.

The camera captured three daylight images of the mountain lion. It wore no tracking collar. Biologists couldn’t tell whether it was a male or female.

The DNR has confirmed 38 reports of cougars in Michigan since 2008, including multiple sightings of the same animal. All but one were in the Upper Peninsula.

Officials say there’s no conclusive evidence that Michigan has a breeding population.

Biologist Brian Roell says DNR game cameras have taken more than 3 million images since 2009. This is the first time they’ve photographed a cougar.