MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITIONIONIA County Sightings

2000	Cougar climbing chainlink fence to get to dog and then cleared the 6' fence whne owner appeared, 12:30 a.m.
11/01/02	600 ft off Belding Road, Drinking from Pond	PAIR
07/04	Observed by Rod H. of Clarksville
03/05	Observed by Gordon D. of Ironia
03/10/05	I-96
11/02/05	Riverside Drive in Saranac, 3/4 mile E of Ivan Road along river
09/11/06	S of Belding City, looked ill
09/17/06	Button Road, just W of Smyma
2007	Observed crossing road about 20 yards in front of car
07/16/08	West Main Street, Ionia. Animal walked 10 yards from house into a ditch. Owners hearing strange noises for awhile before sighting

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