Rare Cougar Sighting Near Popular Walking Trail in Tuscola County

Most Michiganders have never seen a cougar in person, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. Just ask an 18-year-old Millington woman who spotted one this past Sunday while walking near a public trail.

Cougar sightings are rare in Michigan and even rarer in the state's Lower Peninsula. It wasn't until 2018 that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the first cougar sighting in this region in over a century. Yes, there have been sightings over the years, but that one was the first officially confirmed by the DNR.

According to Tuscola Today, the cougar was spotted walking south toward the Tyrolean Village Apartments along the east side of M-15, just a few hundred yards west of the Southern Links Trailway.See Also: When Was Michigan's Warmest Halloween on Record?

The woman phoned a relative who then called 911 to report the sighting. The girl claims she did look up images online before calling her relative.

There have been sightings reported in the area over the years, but none have been confirmed.

While technically a cougar sighting, this wasn’t officially confirmed by the DNR. Without photos or video, it remains nothing more than a suspected sighting. I'm sure the woman who spotted the cougar would disagree.

Honestly, I hope it turns out to be a false sighting. The last thing we need is cougars roaming near popular walking trails and neighborhoods, especially with so many people and pets around. They’re beautiful animals, but they can stay in the state’s Upper Peninsula.