REPORTED July 15th 2006 to www.savethecougar.org
North Oakland County - Cougar Report

1st contact to savethecougar.org July 15th 2006: "Can you point me in the right direction to report a Cougar sighting by both myself and a neighbor 10 acres away in Ortonville , Michigan ?  The Cougar seems to be living in the fields between us and the neighbor.  It has been seen very early in the morning sunning itself.  Also, we have heard it at night during a kill and again another night.  Thank you, L.L. Ortonville, MI " Response from SaveTheCougar.Org: Hi L- You have found the right place.  I have had a few reports from around your area this year. Please provide whatever details you can about your sightings and we will document it and get the information to the proper authorities. Please try to remember and any other details you can think of. If you would like me to mail you a copy of 'Living with Cougars in Michigan' an informational brochure, simply send me a mailing address and it will be on it's way. As you now know- Cougars are in Michigan ! Yet our MDNR says they are not here. I've received about 20 cougar reports from Southeast Michigan so far this year and your report is the third from North Oakland County in the past three months! It is well due time that the public should be informed about their existence. Thank you for very much for your report and I look forward to hearing any other details you may have Charles. Psenka -http://www.savethecougar.org 2nd contact to savethecougar.org July 17th 2006: Hi Charles~ Thank you for the information .... please send me the brochure you mentioned. I know, I've tried calling the DNR to report this without success. Do I need to worry about walking through our property or do you think it has gone by now?  It was sighted and heard in about a 2 week span, but nothing seen or heard over the past week.  I've read that they can travel up to 50 miles per day.  Hopefully it's gone! Thanks again for the info and I'll keep you posted if we see anything else. Tip Males have a home range averaging 25 to 35 square miles (65-90 square km) while females cover 15 to 30 square miles (40-80 square km). Home range size varies greatly depending on geography, season, and availability of prey. Lions are very territorial. Territory size depends on the sex of the cat, the type of habitat , and the ease of finding prey. Territory boundaries are marked with scrapes and urine scent posts made from piles of natural debris that serve as olfactory and visual warnings to other cats that the territory is occupied. The only times that two lions are peacefully in the same territory are during courtship and breeding, or when a female is with her kittens. Info from: http://www.northern.edu/natsource/ENDANG1/Mounta1.htm   Response from SaveTheCougar.Org: Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 1:15 PM Subject: RE: Cougar Report - North Oakland County "Hi L- You are safe but here are a few precautions to follow: ·   STOP! DO NOT RUN FROM A LION. Back away from it slowly, but only if you can do so safely. Running may stimulate a lion's instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.  ·   STAY CALM when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly, yet firmly to it. ·   DO NOT APPROACH A LION, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape. ·   DO NOT JOG OR HIKE ALONE. Make plenty of noise to reduce your chances of surprising a lion. A sturdy walking stick is a good idea: you can use it to ward off a lion. ·   KEEP CHILDREN CLOSE TO YOU, making sure they are always within your sight. Talk to them about lions and tell them what to do if they meet one.  DO NOT CROUCH OR BEND OVER; DO ALL YOU CAN TO APPEAR LARGER. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you're wearing one. If you have small children with you, pick them up so they won't panic and run. ·   IF THE LION BEHAVES AGGRESSIVELY, throw stones, branches, or whatever you can grab without crouching or turning your back.  ·   FIGHT BACK and try to stay on your feet if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven off by prey that fights back! Exercise caution! Your brochure is on the way!  Thanks again for the report! -savethecougar.org "

Report Your Michigan Cougar Sighting

We would love to hear about your cougar sightings!
It's very important for the public to get involved in this awareness effort and we want to hear your stories!
Please click the link below to send us an email with your information. Remember to add dates, locations, photos and any other details when reporting your sighting. Plus, you always can count on SavetheCougar.org to get your sighting information to the appropriate agencies and organizations.
To report a sighting please send an email to : savethecougar@gmail.com