Michigan had 31 confirmed cougar sightings in 2025; here’s where they were
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(WXYZ) — Last year, there were 31 confirmed cougar sightings across Michigan, according to data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
That’s the largest number of sightings since 2008, according to the DNR’s data. However, the number of trail cameras has also increased, and the DNR operates more than 1,300 trail cameras in the Upper Peninsula alone. The DNR also said that some cougar sightings may be of the same animal by different people who are nearby to one another.
The sightings in 2025 were:
Jan.14,17,18,27
Feb.19,25,26
March6(twocubs),12,15,31
April15,22
May15,23
June16
July24,27
Aug.7
Sept.1,18,21
Oct.1,2
Nov.10,12,15,19,20
Dec.6(Momandtwocubs),14
2025alsomarkedahistoricmomentforresearchers,ascougarcubswerespottedinMichiganforthefirsttimein100years.BackinMarch,statebiologistsconfirmedphotosoftwocubstakenbyaresidentonMarch6,2025.
BrianRoell,alargecarnivorespecialistfortheDNR,saidinMarchthatthiscouldbethefirstknowncougarreproductioninmoderntimesintheWesternGreat
