Cougars Reported Near Wausau, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin DNR is investigating reports that a cougar is roaming just south of Wausau, Wisconsin. Many reports have been made. The DNR is skeptical.

Cougars are the largest cats in North America and can attack and kill a human in a flash.

I understand the DNR's reluctance but they are also known to poo-poo the truth as was the case when I reported seeing a cougar in northern Wisconsin almost 20 years ago. They told me that we didn't have cougars in that area and looked at me as though I was nuts. However, less than a year later, the fact that we did have them there was documented and published in the Milwaukee paper who ran a big article with the confirmations.

My advice is until proven otherwise, believe it and watch your kids and dogs. If there is one there it will be confirmed in due time, either by siting or tracks. No dog, coyote, wolf or otherwise can be mistaken for a cougar by any sane person.

It is wild enough in the Wausau area that a cougar who are wary to begin with can remain largely undetected for some time. And the DNR is not going to put a lot of manpower on the issue. Their idea of investigating is to drive through the area and if they don't see one, then they are not there.