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Mar 27, 2008 8:48 am US/Central
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DNR: Cat Seen In Wis. Is Probably A Cougar
MADISON, Wis. (AP) ―
Genetic testing shows a large cat seen in the Milton area is likely the first wild cougar confirmed in Wisconsin in a century, and it probably migrated from South Dakota, state officials say.
The wildlife experts from the Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that genetic analysis from a blood and urine sample gave evidence the cougar apparently came from the Black Hills population of the big cats, migrating some 700 miles to southern Wisconsin.
The researchers, led by geneticist Michael Schwartz, said the DNA showed the cat came from North America. If the genetic composition had been similar to that of a South American cougar, it would have indicated the cat had been captive.
DNR mammal ecologist Adrian Wydeven said the genetic analysis and the fact the cougar shies away from humans point to the cat being wild.
Recent pawprints found in Walworth County are believed to be from the same cougar spotted 23 miles away in the Rock County town of Milton in January, Wydeven said.
The pawprints measured by the DNR lead him to believe the cougar is a young male, weighing about 120 pounds. Although the prints were of different sizes, Wydeven said the smaller print was likely from a hind paw.
According to DNR records, the last wild cougar disappeared from Wisconsin in the early 1900s.
Wydeven said the wild cougar population could be on the rebound, just as the wolf population was in the 1970s when wolves from Minnesota began migrating into Wisconsin and establishing packs.
The DNR estimates Wisconsin now has around 550 wolves.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)