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Michigan sees record cougar reports in 2025, including some cubs
Michigan recorded 31 confirmed cougar detections in 2025, including cubs indicating a resident family, as trail cameras and reports improved detection, state officials said.
- In 2025, Michigan recorded 31 confirmed cougar detections, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources counting 34 sightings due to multiple animals in some reports.
- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says rising cougar detections reflect about 20 years of monitoring, including 20 observations in 2024, more trail cameras, and DNA evidence of male cougars.
- Local evidence confirms two cougar cubs were spotted by a motorist in Ontonagon County in March and two older cubs on a resident trail camera in December, indicating reproduction.
- The last confirmed sighting occurred on Dec. 14 and none have been confirmed yet in 2026; because cougars are on Michigan's endangered mammals list, hunting them is illegal and sightings must be reported via the DNR's Eyes in the Field form.
- Officials urge caution and safety steps after a cluster of nine reports near two landowners, as the DNR says the return of cougars reflects changing conditions and expects detections to rise after processing 6 million images.
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Total News Sources8
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Center
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
63% Center
L 25%
C 63%
12%
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