A news report by the Ottawa Citizen states that the Ontario MNR has DNA, scat and track evidence of the stealthy cat in their labs. The article in the Ottawa paper says,

” … after an ambitious four-year study, the Ministry of Natural Resources has come to a definitive conclusion: the eastern cougar will be lumped with the sasquatch no longer. The study collected 30 pieces of evidence, including photos of tracks, samples of scat and DNA. “It verified that cougars do exist in Ontario,” said Rick Rosatte, senior research scientist with the ministry in Peterborough …” Entire Article Here

The report also referenced the ‘Cougar Cams’ that were set-up in 2009 as an initiative to capture the elusive cougar in digital pixels (refer to this blog post). No photos of the cougar have actually been captured yet. The cameras will remain in place until 2011.

For more information about the eastern cougar in Ontario, consider visiting the Ontario Puma Foundation’s website.

*Cougar photo is public domain from Wikipedia

It would seem that the 500 ‘possible’ cougar sightings (since 2002) in Ontario has sparked this new research project into existence. I have talked to some credible outdoors sources in my area and some have reported possibly seeing the large cats in the Huntsville area. The Ontario MNR has also collected hair and scat samples from various areas across the province.

The article shares that, “… the research project is designed to determine the distribution of cougars across Ontario and whether the animals are native to the province, are escaped captive animals or have arrived from western Canada or the United States.”

I think 40 cameras spread acrose the province would be rather like trying to scoop running water in open hands but I am looking forward to seeing the results of this project.

Thumbs up to the Ontario MNR.

*A great resource for ontario cougar information is the Ontario Puma Foundation

-Cougar photo from wikipedia

It is possible that this could all change in the months to come.

I came across an interesting article in the Peterborough Examiner. The author summarizes various aspects and challenges of numerous cougar sightings that are flooding various Ontario media outlets and Ontario MNR offices. The official explanation given to the public about these cougars is that they are simply pets and wildlife centre ‘escapees’.

The 1000 reported sightings in Ontario (since 2002) is causing some people to re-think this explanation. In the article entitled, Tracking a legend, the author shares that an Ontario MNR scientist is investigating credible sightings to determine where these feline ghosts are coming from and their genetic history. The article says that,

As cougar sightings continue to pour in from across Ontario, Dr. Rick Rosatte, a senior MNR research scientist here in Peterborough, is hoping that a research study he has undertaken will help determine how many cougars there are in the province and what their origin is. He is attempting to substantiate their presence with photographic evidence from trail cameras and physical evidence such as hair and scat samples. This will help determine if the animals are wild North American cougars, or rather South American cougars that were once people’s pets. Maps are being created to represent areas of high cougar activity. Rosatte regularly interviews people who believe they’ve seen a cougar. Entire Article Here

If you think you may have been lucky enough to spot and Ontario Cougar (puma) visit this site: www.ontariopuma.ca and perhaps you could help contribute to this fascinating study.

*photos from wikipedia archives (public domain)

Port Franks woman spots cougar-like animal
London Free Press – Canada
Although the MNR hasn’t found evidence, officials have conceded there have been enough cougar sightings in the province that there are likely “free-roaming” … *(Bill’s Take – this is definitely getting reported more and more. Very interesting.)

Forest management plan open for review
Timmins Daily Press – Timmins,Ontario,Canada
Gail Ballak, area forester with the MNR, said each year one per cent of the forest is chopped down, while every year one per cent is also put back in. …

How lakes get choked; Phosphorous leaking into the environment
Sudbury Star – Sudbury,Ontario,Canada
… phosphorus is four or five times the normal concentration in most lakes, especially those in the popular cottage country of Muskoka and the Kawarthas

Hunting group’s dinner-auction raises about $100000 for wetlands …
Peterborough Examiner – Peterborough,Ontario,Canada
All the money raised goes to the conservation and protection of Canada’s wetlands, McWilliams said. An early count determined about $100000 was raised, …

USSA Working to Strip Anti-Hunting Language from Public Policy
By Othmar Vohringer(Othmar Vohringer)
“The Committee is concerned about reports that USAID directly and indirectly supports recreational, sport and trophy hunting in its assistance programs in Africa. The Committee directs USAID to provide no funds to programs that support or promote recreational, sport, or trophy hunting as a conservation tool.”

Busy with bears; MNR has shot eight animals
Timmins Daily Press – Timmins,Ontario,Canada
Legouffe said ridding the province of the spring hunt has nothing to do with nuisance bears, since the new hunting season allows for the killing of male, …

No money for clean-up from province: MNR
Lindsay Daily Post – Lindsay,Canada
Referring to the carp die-off, Radford said they were not uncommon, but stressed MNR is continuing to investigate the situation.

Ontario urged to restore spring bear hunt
Globe and Mail – Canada
TORONTO — Hunting and tourism groups say the province cancelled the spring bear hunt in 1999 based on touchy-feely reasoning, and it’s time for a new policy … *(as predicted when the bear hunt was cancelled)*

Doug Johnson Talks Muskies
In-Fisherman Magazine – USA
These unusual conditions effected most of the muskie waters in northwest Ontario, including Lake of the Woods, the body of water where I spend most of my…

City is working to confirm cougar sightings
London Free Press – Canada
City and MNR officials have suggested the sightings are likely something other than a cougar, perhaps a large dog, deer, or coyote. However, DNA evidence of …

Two little bears and mom are free
Sault Star – Sault Ste-Marie,Ontario,Canada
“Hopefully she collected them up and left the area,” said MNR fish and wildlife technical specialist Jacques Landry Wednesday morning… *Bill’s Take -’Nice Story’ but I find the “hopefully’ they (the bears) won’t return aspect of the article not very comforting.*

Natural resources blitz results in 170 charges
The North Bay Nugget – North Bay,Ontario,Canada
Conservation officers checked more than 5700 anglers and laid 170 charges, including 104 for fishing related offences. A total of 97 fish were seized, …