LANSING, Mich. — Cougar sightings in Michigan are on the rise.
So far during 2025, 27 cougars have been spotted in the Upper Peninsula, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Reports came from photos or videos.
The 2025 sightings included cougar cubs spotted with an adult female in March.
First cougar cubs spotted in Michigan in more than 100 years. (DNR/WWMT)
In 2024, there were 23 total sightings. In 2023, the number was 18 sightings. While the same animals may have been seen by multiple people, the numbers are significantly different from previous years, according to an article by CBS Detroit.
The DNR said the repopulation could be for a variety of reasons. The nearest large breeding populations are in North Dakota and South Dakota, though it’s possible that transient animals have traveled.
Escaped or released cougars that were initially pets is another possible source, the DNR said. It’s been illegal to keep cougars or other exotic cats as pets in Michigan since 2000.
Cougars are primarily nocturnal and solitary, but can be active during the day. They’re considered an endangered species in Michigan. The wild population was wiped out by the early 1900s
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You can report cougar sightings to the DNR here. The full article by CBS Detroit can be found here.