COUGARS, BEARS and WOLVES, OH MY!

Over the past few years there have been reports by the public and confirmation by the DNR and the University of Minnesota of cougars roaming around the state.  Minnesota was originally home to mountain lions but persecution by humans and habitat destruction pushed them out.  Cougars are very sensitive to the behavior of humans so they, like wolves, tend to stay in remote areas away from people but recently, due to significant habitat loss, cougars are starting to go "urban" or travel longer distances in search of food and now have returned to Minnesota.  Although no confirmed breeding pairs have been documented there have been sightings of single cougars along the river valley in Bloomington as well as other areas across the state (mainly in the northern part of MN).  The DNR has confirmed 14 sightings using trail cameras or dna testing on those that were killed or found dead.  It is believed that the cougars we are seeing have returned from the Dakota's, where there were about 149 mountain lions remaining in 2010, the last time an "estimated" count was taken.  Researchers aren't sure if the mountain lions are settling in the state or just traveling through.  Since female cougars tend not to travel as far as males it is believed that the majority of the sightings are of males in search of food and a suitable habitat.

As a Minnesotan, I find this news to be very exciting.  When we first heard about the cougar sightings I was living in Bloomington and the reports were coming from not only those who lived near the River Valley but also from some of my neighbors.  Read report here. (Unfortunately, the Bloomington cougar was killed.) We were never lucky enough to spot any mountain lions but while walking along the River Valley, something we did frequently, we did spot paw prints.

Sadly, as was the case with the Bloomington cougar, the DNR often kills what the public fears most.  When the DNR responds to calls about "dangerous" wildlife (wolves, bears, cougars, coyotes) 90% of their reaction to those calls are in response to the perceived danger BY the public not the actual danger TO the public.  It is bad PR for the DNR to let a predator run around the cities.  The cougar in Bloomington had been in the area for a while, minding its own business in forested areas and instead of residents doing what is necessary to prevent a conflict between themselves and the animal the people went about their daily lives as usual and then complained when they happened to come across the cougar while out on a walk.

So I ask you, whether you live here or you're just visiting, if you are going to be in an area where predators exist do your part to prevent any conflicts.  The bears, wolves, coyotes and cougars have every right to be here and the DNR's decision to euthanize them is almost always a result of human behavior. So, with very few predators left in this state and across the planet let's do what we can to make sure both they and we feel safe by first: reading up on what we can do to prevent problems and by second: making sure we follow through with the recommendations.

Remember: Cougars are a threatened species in Minnesota and therefore cannot be killed even if you, your livestock or your pets are threatened.  (except by licensed predator control specialist)

1. READ HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING TO PREVENT CONFLICT WITH COUGARS.

2. READ HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING TO PREVENT CONFLICT WITH BEARS.

3. READ HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING TO PREVENT CONFLICT WITH WOLVES.


Minnesota Statute:

97B.641 COUGAR, LYNX, AND WOLVERINE.

There is no open season for cougar, lynx, or wolverine.

DNR Information on Cougars in Minnesota