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| If you see a cougar, it's important that you make a factual report. Without accurate citizen reports, research is incomplete. You may report to the DNR, Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, or me at the email link below. The Southwest Michigan DNR has a new policy to support citizens reporting sightings in their area. |
 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
| Sightings may be reported online at www.michigan.gov/dnr under Wildlife and Habitat - Wildlife Observations. Online observations are not reviewed for months at a time for mapping purposes - so only report to this webpage if you are simply reporting a sighting without physical evidence. If you have physical evidence of a cougar (scat, tracks, or carcass), contact your local DNR Operations Service Center. After business hours, contact the DNR Report all Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800. Be careful to not disturb the area and keep physical evidence intact until it can be investigated. |
| MICHIGAN WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY |
| SAVE THE COUGAR.ORG |
| Save The Cougar.org was developed to keep Michigan residents current on cougar sightings and evidence. While the MCCR site is designed for public information, savethecougar.org is designed to keep a running tally of current Michigan sightings. Please visit their site for recent updates. |
| STATE EMPLOYEE WHISTLEBLOWERS |
| BERRIEN COUNTY RESIDENTS |
| At a public forum on January 23, 2006, Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey stated that any Berrien County residents seeing a cougar should contact his department. He will personally make the referral to the DNR. In the event of an emergency, of course, you should dial 9-1-1. |
| Collect physical evidence such as photos, video, scat, or tracks. If photographing evidence or actual cougars, be sure to include other objects in the photos for size comparison. For more information on collecting evidence or to enroll in the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy's Cougar Tracker Training course, go to the Evidence Collection link below. |
| Often, people will report that they've heard a cougar screaming in their woods. Yes, cougars make noises - growls, purrs, and even clicking/chirping sounds like birds. When in mating season, they can make an awful racket just like domestic cats - only louder. Some people have described it as a woman screaming. Click these links to hear some traditional cougar vocals: Vocal 1 Vocal 2 Vocal 3 Vocal 4. But, remember that sounds in the woods may sound like something that they are not. Even if you hear a large cat sound, it could be a domestic cat, bobcat, or lynx. There are several birds of prey that make unique noises and can be confused - for example, this screech owl sound can be quite confusing. |
| Always keep in mind that Michigan's cougars are an endangered species. Any form of harassment, threat, injury, or death to these animals can be prosecuted. Despite occasional comments to the contrary, you may NOT kill a cougar unless human life is in immediate danger. To protect livestock, you MUST obtain a DNR Nuisance Kill Permit - verbal authorization from a State employee is NOT acceptable. This is an example of a kill permit that was issued to a Kalkaska resident in September, 2002. |
| So, it if looks like a cougar, acts like a cougar, and from all appearances is a cougar - do NOT assume it is a released pet. Take every precaution and gather evidence. |
| EVIDENCE COLLECTION TIPS |
