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Cougar Sightings Surge in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

11/21/2025

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports 27 cougar sightings in the Upper Peninsula in 2025, up from 23 in 2024 and 18 in 2023.
The rise may reflect transient animals from nearby states or escaped pets.
Keeping cougars as pets has been illegal since 2000.
Cougars are endangered in Michigan, having been wiped out by the early 1900s and with confirmed sightings resuming in 2008.

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Story summary

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports 27 cougar sightings in the Upper Peninsula in 2025, up from 23 in 2024 and 18 in 2023.
The rise may reflect transient animals from nearby states or escaped pets.
Keeping cougars as pets has been illegal since 2000.
Cougars are endangered in Michigan, having been wiped out by the early 1900s and with confirmed sightings resuming in 2008.