suburban cougar part II It's still out there... (Chicago, Dakota: credit, living)

[rgb123]

Steve, there are only two confirmed sightings since the 1800's. We are talking Illinois. But I also do not believe they are as common as you are suggesting in Missouri or Minnesota.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by rgb123

Steve, there are only two confirmed sightings since the 1800's. We are talking Illinois. But I also do not believe they are as common as you are suggesting in Missouri or Minnesota.

2 confirmed? Im seeing over 150 sightings since 1950!
Cougars in Illinois - by James Krohe Jr.- Illinois Issues

Another article:
The beast of the bluffs - Features - Feature - Illinois Times - Springfield, Illinois

From Minnesota (scroll down article for pics):
Mountain Lion sighting - Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Discussion Forums

Now granted, cougars are very secretive and mostly nocturnal hunters. Your chances of seeing them are pretty slim, but theyre definitely out there and growing in numbers across the midwest. There is evidence of this trend and cougar numbers will continue to grow.

[rgb123]

those are not confirmed sightings. The only confirmation is the two that were killed (now three). And your first source says this:

"To conclude that cougars are again resident in Illinois, however, is to get ahead of the facts. Not all the animals reported as cougars are cougars, and not all the cougars sighted may be wild cougars, and not all the wild cougars sighted are members of breeding
populations. "

Obviously something is happening and they may be populating here once again. I find it really interesting.

But all these sightings you guys are so sure about are pretty funny. If it were that commonplace it would not be on the front page of the Tribune. There would be education programs for kids on what to do if you see a cougar, it would be a protected species because it exists here. It is not protected here because it is not thought to be part of the enviornment here!

I understand things are changing, possibly, due to overcrowding out west. But come on guys...you have seen a few cougars? Did you stare it down? Were just driving down the street in Chicago and you saw a cougar?

okay....

[Careless]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

2 confirmed? Im seeing over 150 sightings since 1950!
Cougars in Illinois - by James Krohe Jr.- Illinois Issues

Another article:
The beast of the bluffs - Features - Feature - Illinois Times - Springfield, Illinois

From Minnesota (scroll down article for pics):
Mountain Lion sighting - Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists Discussion Forums

Now granted, cougars are very secretive and mostly nocturnal hunters. Your chances of seeing them are pretty slim, but theyre definitely out there and growing in numbers across the midwest. There is evidence of this trend and cougar numbers will continue to grow.

Well, there have also been numerous bigfoot sightings in Illinois in the past century. Which is not to say there aren't cougars in IL, but that I'd bet that the great majority of those reports are false.

The surprising thing is that one would be in Wilmette, which would require it to cross all of the other suburbs and millions of people, when we tend to have exterminated cougars and wolves without a strong instinctive fear of humans.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by rgb123

I understand things are changing, possibly, due to overcrowding out west. But come on guys...you have seen a few cougars? Did you stare it down? Were just driving down the street in Chicago and you saw a cougar?

okay....

Overcrowding out west? Not even close. Sure some cities are growing, but there is more than enough room for them to go around. Theyre pushing this way because their food source is more abundant here than most areas out west. Think of the unlimited numbers of deer, turkey, rabbit, etc out here... Its a cougar's paradise out here.

Ive never seen one myself, but theyre not hard to distinguish, ya know? I believe the sightings, because there is nothing else that they look like. What could they confuse them with? Theyve got pictures of them, found some that were hit by trains, etc.

[rgb123]

One of the sightings was the one hit by a train.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Careless

The surprising thing is that one would be in Wilmette, which would require it to cross all of the other suburbs and millions of people, when we tend to have exterminated cougars and wolves without a strong instinctive fear of humans.

Well, believe what you want, I think photographic proof is all I need to make up my mind. In fact, theyve also monitored the movement of some via radio collars and have tracked movement from South Dakota to Minnesota within the span of a few months.

And why is it crazy to believe that these animals cant move across Chicagoland undetected? Remember that coyote that ended up in the Subway restaurant downtown a few years ago? Ive seen a dang peacock (!!!!) in my old West Chicago neighborhood. There was also an alligator swimming in the Fox River a few years ago (released pet). You wouldnt believe the strange things animals do, or where they occur. Animals are masters at being secretive, you could probably be 5 feet from a cougar in a forest and never even notice it. It wouldnt be a problem for one to slip undetected anywhere it pleases.

[gardener34]

Years ago, A former co-worker saw a wallaby in their backyard in westchester. The police had said there were numerous call-ins about it. Probably an escaped pet. Brookfield zoo (which is close to there) said it wasn't theirs.

Escaped/wild cougars - I am more than a little scared about... they can eat you.

[WLUTZ]

Pretty much agree with everything Steve-o has said.

Are they common? No. But they are definitely extending there range (as are wolves). There are so many deer it's just inevitable.

Animals like this are extremely secretive and can roam an amazing distance in just one night if they want. As far as being scared your chances of being attacked by a cougar in the suburbs of Chicago are right up there with winning the Mega-millions lotto.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by WLUTZ

Pretty much agree with everything Steve-o has said.

Are they common? No. But they are definitely extending there range (as are wolves). There are so many deer it's just inevitable.

Animals like this are extremely secretive and can roam an amazing distance in just one night if they want. As far as being scared your chances of being attacked by a cougar in the suburbs of Chicago are right up there with winning the Mega-millions lotto.

Absolutely. Theyve tracked their movement as far as 30 miles in a single night. Incredible.