MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
GENESEE County Sightings



1840Observed by Alonzo Chapin in Fenton Township
Summer, 1991Flushing; Woman and a friend observed a 300-400 pound panther in her yard. Reported to policeBLACK
06/29/04US 23 two miles N of Corruna Road exitROADKILL
12/04Observed by Rich B. of Clio
10/31/052-5 miles W of Flint off I-69
Spring/2006Bishops Airport
2007-2008Carter Drive just off Calkins Road east of Linden Road. Observed twice in the last year. 911 called after the first sighting. Lots of deer in the area.
01/16/08Large black cat following a fox - about 70-80 pounds. About 4' long. Tracks observed in snow with belly drag marks of the lager animal. Owner's dog very upset with activities occurring outside. Observed from 30-40 yards.BLACK
03/18/08SW of Swartz Creek near Gaines Township north of Reid road, south of Hill Road. South side of railroad tracks near Nichols Road break. Dogs became aggressive on leash following some kind of scent. Owner observed a cougar across the street at about 40 yards into the woods.
04/30/08Morrish Road between Potter Road and River Road in Flushing at 9:55 p.m. Animal crossed 4-8' in front of the car. Watched cougar walk up the wooded yard and into heavy woods
05/28/08South of Carpenter Road, west of Center Road, north of Pierson, east of Branch. 5:30 p.m. Observed from a dirt bike at approx. 50' and watched it clear a 5' piece of grass and 4' field fence.
10/29/08Carolyn M observes a 40 pound black cat at Mt. Morris Road in McKinley, Flushing BLACK
03/09Van Slyke Road, north of Hill and south of Maple Road. Two people observe large black cat about 4' in length without tail in Flint Township on an afternoon. Observed tracks that were very large. Observed it again later in the day near neightor's deck. Police were called, came, and said it was a large cat. DNR were called and came two weeks laterBLACK


Using information compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, it was determined that approximately 50% of anecdotal reports (as listed below), can be classified as probable or verified.
Reports by the public, when carefully screened for reliability, and used in conjunction with other information and evidence, can aid in assessing population status.
Thank you to the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Retired DNR Forester Mike Zuidema, and the media for this valuable research information.




DENISE N. MASSEY