No proof ... yet

Evidence gathered from possible cougar sightings identified as canine.

by Kevin Lilly

Evidence gathered from possible cougar sightings last month may not prove their existence in north-central Indiana but some believe one or more of the large cats do roam the area.

Rob Craig, owner of Great Cats of Indiana located just outside Idaville, says he’s fairly certain tracks found near his animal rescue facility were made by a cougar weighing about 100 pounds. He also said he can’t rule out the existence of a second smaller cougar.

This runs counter to the results recently given to the Department of Natural Resources. In November, DNR wildlife biologist Dean Zimmerman collected evidence from around Great Cats, which houses three male cougars and one female. Zimmerman sent photos of tracks and scat believed to be a large cat to experts in South Dakota and Nevada. Both confirmed the evidence was canine.

“I think what this tells me is either there isn’t anything there or we didn’t happen to get photos of the right tracks,” Zimmerman said.

In the last two months, people in White and Cass counties reported seeing a cat-like animal with a long tail. One motorist said she saw a cougar crossing U.S. 24 in Lake Cicott. A bus driver had a similar experience on a rural White County road. Others, including farmers and a cat handler for Great Cats, also reported seeing or hearing a cougar, which have not been known to live in Indiana since about 1850.

The concentration of reputable sightings led Zimmerman to firmly believe something unusual had wandered into White County. But, after the expert said they didn’t think so, Zimmerman’s opinion also dropped.

“It’s really hard to say,” he said.

Zimmerman has a hunch, though, whatever animal people saw has moved on but could return. He is still collecting information. If someone does have a sighting, the biologist is interested in hearing from them. The report should include time of day, date, place and description of what the person saw. Attacks on dogs or livestock should also be reported.

Cass County resident Dawn Hacker felt vindicated when she read last month’s Pharos-Tribune article about the sightings. She knew then she was not only person to see what she believes was a cougar.

“I know what I saw,” she said.

More than a year ago, Hacker claims she witnessed a cougar walking behind her house on Ind. 25 near 200N. Since then, her neighbors reported seeing a cougar with cubs.

Hacker became concerned enough to walk her children to the bus. She did not want them standing alone each morning.

Zimmerman says a cougar could have escaped from or been turned loose by someone who did not have a permit to possess the animal. Another possibility is that one migrated from the north or northwest. Michigan and Wisconsin have had confirmed sightings of cougars, Zimmerman said. Last year, police killed a cougar from South Dakota in a Chicago suburb. Just this week in Iowa, a deer hunter shot and killed one that weighed 125 pounds.

Zimmerman said he would not be surprised if they did get evidence, say from road kill, that DNA testing would reveal the animal came from South Dakota.

“I think it’s very possible,” he said.

Cougars once roamed most of the Midwest but have since disappeared. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sightings throughout the Midwest have been on the rise.

The Cougar Network’s Web site, located at www.easterncougarnet.org, contains a map of confirmed sightings. The animals appear to be moving east, but there are still few sightings east of the Mississippi River south of Iowa.

Sightings locally have ceased over the last four weeks. Craig is waiting until the end of deer season to resume his search for definitive proof. Until he or someone else comes forward with a photo or other evidence, the mystery continues.

Craig believes the animal will stay in the area as long as it has a steady supply of food. Great Cats’ female cougar may also keep the cat around, Craig said.

Zimmerman addressed a trail camera photo being passed around by e-mail and text message. The photo showed a cougar dragging a 10-point buck by the neck. Senders claimed the photo originated in White County but that is not true, he said. A Google search reveals it was taken somewhere outside Indiana.

Zimmerman said he has received multiple trail camera photos of bobcats. He does not think sightings in Idaville could be a bobcat, though. A bobcat weighs about 25 pounds and has a six-inch tail compared to cougars, which range from 50 to more than 100 pounds and a tail up to three foot in length.

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.

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