MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
LIVINGSTON County Sightings



July/early August, 1980sTrish M was riding horse about 7 miles south of Howell off Pickney Road and Coon Lake Road when horse spooked, and cougar chased horse. Specifically remembers the very long tail.
1986State troopers reportedly shot at a cat
Spring, 1993Black Cat observed in Brighton on Alpine Drive; cat was pacing on a fallen tree - observed at 50-60'; reported by Linda FBLACK
Approximate 1999Black cat the size of a medium dog observed walking by pole barn North of HowellBLACK
Approximate 2001Very large black cat observed North of HowellBLACK
2004Elderly woman in Brighton observed cat run across the street while she was getting her mail; reported by Linda F.
05/26/04 Grand River Road just S or E side Brighton side of Dorr Road
09/26/043 miles SE of US 23 and 9 Mile/M-36
08/15/04Swarthout b/w D-19 and Farley
11/04Observed by Rebecca W. of S. Lyon
11/22/041/4 mile N of M-59 on Oak Grove Road, Near a pondBLACK
01/05Observed by Vickie G. of FowlervilleBLACK
06/10/051/8 mile E of Gregory Road, ½ mile N of Mason RoadPAIR
07/05Observed by Mary L. of Howell
10/05Observed by Rick B. of Holland
10/09/05Howell
12/05Observed by Katherine S. of Decatur, Illinois
04/05/06I- 96, 2-3 miles before Howell Exit
05/10/062 miles S of Fenton
Approximate Winter, 2005Crys in woods like a baby to the point listener was worried about a baby being left in the woods at 10 degrees
10/01/06Oceola Township - observed from tree standBLACK
10/02/06Pinckney
06/07Lakeland near abandonded cottage on Huron River; observed jumping down from chimney - photo above
07/30/07Dirt part of Silver Lake Road near wetlands at 5:15 p.m.; Jumped from embankment on right side of road and ran across
01/08Car swerves to miss cougar on westbound 96 at the 23 crossing
06/13/08Off I-96 between D19 and Grand River exits in Howell on south side of Freeway. Observed in a fieldBLACK
07/02/09Black cat the size of a large Labrador Retriever observed walking by pole barn North of HowellBLACK
08/08/09Jeff F observes a big black cat, about 100 pounds, playing with/eating something. Observed while driving west on 96 from Howell about 1/2 mile east of the weigh stationBLACK
UnknownCat was sunning itself in the driveway at home in Howell; reported by cousin of Linda F.


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.


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DENISE N. MASSEY