Mountain lions are native to Michigan, but they were extirpated from the state by the early 1900s. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), there have been upwards of 100 confirmed cougar sighting since 2008, including two illegal harvests of cougars on the Upper Peninsula. State wildlife officials attribute sightings like Schaefer’s to lone male cats that are dispersing from established breeding populations in the West.
in a second video, which Schaefer posted to Facebook on January 7, the cat is seen dragging the prize away before exiting the frame.
Sure looks like the East. It will be interesting if they can get samples and confirm it is wild.