MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
WASHTENAW County Sightings



1828Julia Dexter Stannard was chased on her horse going from Ann Arbor to Dexter
1835-1870Several sightings around Manchester as reported by U of M zoologist Norman Wood
01/28/03State Street just after Michigan Avenue where State banks North just after the Old State Road intersection
05/28/03On East Main Street in Manchester down near Hibbard Street
09/28/04Ypsilanti 1 1/2 mile S of I-94 exit #181
10/04Observed by Diane O. and Ryan M. of Ann Arbor
04/06/05Ann Arbor, I-94, 2 miles E of Jackson Road Exit
06/05Observed by Laurie M. of Manchester
06/16/05Helber Road, just S of Pleasant Lake
06/16/05Manchester
11/04/05Lake Winnewana near State land
01/06Waterloo Recreational Area, 10 miles NW of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Tracks only
03/06Observed by Stephanie T. of Ann Arbor
04/06Observed by James E. of Petersburg
04/03/06Milan Oakville Road, 3 miles E of Milan and 3 miles W of Rasonville Road
06/02/061 mile from Wayne County line
07/06/06Subdivision yard, Observed and screamed
08/13/062 miles W of Saline on US 12 near Harry's Furniture
02/21/08Edge of Parking Lot adjoining woods behind Washington Condominiums, Manchester. Observed fresh tracks in snow from building to woods. Startled by crackling noise and observed cougar jump down from a tree. Cat was about 5' long. Observed at 30'. Family has seen brown and black cougar in the woods in the area before.
02/22/08Along W/B I-94 near Baker Road.
03/11/08I-94 West of M-52 between east bound lane and Chrysler proving grounds fence.
03/11/08I-94 heading toward Ann Arbor. Long tail, short ears, and tan. Long and fast stride crossing westbound traffic.
03/12/089:45 p.m. Ann Arbor Road, 1/2 mile east of Gotfredson Road, Plymouth Township. Crossed in front of vehicle
05/04/08Ann Arbor near fork of US23 and M14 west that continues over the Huron river. Looked like a lion without a mane watching the deer
05/21/08Driving toward Ann Arbor from Whitmore Lake, Southbound 23. Cougar observed in a field


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