Cougars in Ontario ......

[Trilynx]

I have seen one in Northern watershed area between Sudbury and Timmins. Was leaving the bush after a weekend of grouse hunting and there it was in the middle of the "road" thought it was a deer at first cause it was far. But as I got closer the dimensions seemed wrong for a deer. Legs too short/thick, next I can make out a wagging tail, too big for a lynx or wolf. Shook me up for a little while, was happy to have met him while in the car and not the quad!! That is one big cat! heck of an animal... never had another chance encounter

[alfoldivandor]

There is Cougar in Ontario , hunters be aware of that .......

[greatwhite]

Although I believe the cougar exist in Ontario sightings don't always mean much.






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[Marker]

THe MNRF currently lists cougars as 'endangered' (see link below), last I paid attention to this some 20 yrs ago the animal was listed as 'extirpated' meaning there were too few numbers to count. It would seem the change from extirpated to endangered indicates a rise in the population.

StatusEndangered

“Endangered” means the species lives in the wild in Ontario but is facing imminent extinction or extirpation.
Date added to the Species at Risk in Ontario List

The Mountain lion (Cougar) was already assessed as endangered when the Endangered Species Act took effect in 2008.


http://www.ontario.ca/environment-an...in-lion-cougar

[yellow dog]

I wonder if Mermaids are off the endangered species list ? lol

[MikePal]

Since there are so many Apple cult members everywhere now, someday one of these new iThingies will take a crystal clear, properly focused, still motion pic of either a Big Foot or Cougar....till then ?

Good project for someone with a Drone and a Go Pro...LOL...

[chameleon]

THe MNRF currently lists cougars as 'endangered' (see link below), last I paid attention to this some 20 yrs ago the animal was listed as 'extirpated' meaning there were too few numbers to count. It would seem the change from extirpated to endangered indicates a rise in the population.

StatusEndangered

“Endangered” means the species lives in the wild in Ontario but is facing imminent extinction or extirpation.
Date added to the Species at Risk in Ontario List

The Mountain lion (Cougar) was already assessed as endangered when the Endangered Species Act took effect in 2008.


http://www.ontario.ca/environment-an...in-lion-cougar

I find it interesting that the MNRF would take the time to update their own Web page on the subject as early as August 2014.
Why? If none exists would they even bother.
It would save them a lot of time and effort to come right out and say they will no longer waste staff's time dealing with the subject of an animal that is no longer present in the province. But for some reason they do. For me it raises the question what else the MNRF feels is acceptable too mislead Ontario residents about.

[redd foxx]

There ARE cougars in Ontario. The OPP shot one a few years back in Bracebridge area. The real question is are they natural, escapees and/or the progeny of escapees??

[chameleon]

There ARE cougars in Ontario. The OPP shot one a few years back in Bracebridge area. The real question is are they natural, escapees and/or the progeny of escapees??

I suspect the MNR knows their lineage but are unwilling to share.
I maybe wrong but I would think scat samples could be tested to determine lineage.
Some suspect re-introduction by MNRF/ Some think released by people who could not handle them in captivity.
Some think natural survivors

[terrym]

I suspect the MNR knows their lineage but are unwilling to share.
I maybe wrong but I would think scat samples could be tested to determine lineage.
Some suspect re-introduction by MNRF/ Some think released by people who could not handle them in captivity.
Some think natural survivors

I would guess a combination of the above. Fact is we have great habitat for them and even where they are common most sportsmen never see them unless they are actually hunting them. I have no doubt they are here. I don't believe many of claimed sightings but I'm sure some are legit also. Cougars have huge home ranges and are extremely secretive.