Sighting in Town of Milton: DNR monitoring possible cougar in Rock county
News Release Published: January 23, 2008 by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Doug Fendry, Wildlife Supervisor, Fitchburg: (608) 275-3230
Adrian Wydeven, Mammal Ecologist, Park Falls: (715) 762-1363
MILTON – The Department of Natural Resources is investigating the apparent sighting of a cougar last week northeast of the Rock County City of Milton.
Based on the information provided by DNR biologist Doug Fendry and conservation warden Boyd Richter, Janesville, the animal’s tracks are “consistent” with that of a cougar, said Adrian Wydeven, DNR mammal ecologist based at Park Falls.
Mr. Fendry, warden Richter and warden supervisor Jeremy Plautz, Fitchburg, photographed tracks and collected blood and urine samples which will be submitted for genetic analysis to confirm whether the animal is a North American cougar.
Agency personnel have been receiving several reports of cougar observations in northeast Rock County and adjacent Jefferson County over the past couple of months, according to Doug Fendry, DNR wildlife supervisor at Fitchburg.
The last known wild cougars, also called mountain lion or puma, in Wisconsin disappeared during the early part of the 20th Century. Although reports of cougars have been received around the state over the ensuing years, none have been documented as wild cats since the early 1900s. There have been several instances of captive cougars in Wisconsin escaping into the wild before recapture or disappearance. Cougars have been documented in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.
Cougars are listed as “protected wild animals” in Wisconsin which means a permit would be required from DNR before someone could kill the animal.
DNR will be checking roadways, pastures, marshes and wild lands over the next several days, mainly in the Rock County Towns of Milton and Lima, and especially near Storr’s Lake and Lima Marsh Wildlife Areas. The apparent cougar in question was last seen near Storr’s Lake Wildlife Area.
The public is encouraged to contact Mr. Fendry if they observe a large cat in the northeast Rock County and southern Jefferson County area. He can be reached at (608) 275-3230.
“If at all possible, take digital photos of the animal and its tracks, along with (taking) something such as a tape measure to show the size of the track. Also, record the time and exact location of the observation,” said Mr. Fendry.
Right now, DNR staff is assuming that the animal is a wild cougar and “the Department will continue to monitor (reports) and if the opportunity presents itself, we would then consider capturing or radio collaring the animal or removing it from the wild if evidence indicates it is of captive origin,” said Mr. Wydeven.
