Evidence Confirms the Presence of Cougars (Puma concolor) in Ontario, Canada

Authors

  • Rick Rosatte Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Wildlife Research and Development Section, Trent University, DNA Building, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v125i2.1194

Keywords:

Cougar, Puma concolor, mountain lion, puma, endangered, Ontario

Abstract

A study was initiated to collect and collate evidence to resolve the long-standing question of whether free-ranging Cougars (Puma concolor) exist on the Ontario landscape. A total of 497 pieces of evidence confirmed that Cougars were present in Ontario during the period 1991 to 2010. That evidence included 21 pieces of class 1 evidence (scat, hair, DNA, tracks, photographs of a Cougar), 13 class 2 sightings (by qualified observers such as biologists), and 463 class 3 sightings (credible sightings by unqualified observers). The evidence presented in this paper indicates the presence in Ontario of free-ranging Cougars of unknown origin.

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Issue

Vol. 125 No. 2 (2011)

Section

Articles

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