No evidence of a cougar in Wheatland, DNR reports

Last confirmed sighting was in 2008

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Despite a reported sighting of a cougar in the Town of Wheatland Tuesday, there was no evidence to support the claim, according to a Department of Natural Resource official.

Wildlife Biologist Marty Johnson, who oversees both Racine and Kenosha counties, responded to the report at about 2 p.m.

“Along with myself, and three conservation wardens, there is no evidence,” said Johnson. “At this point, there are no signs of a cougar.”

The report came from a citizen residing near highways 50 and KD, stating the person saw a large animals through a set of bushes in their backyard.

When the head popped out over the bushes, the citizen believed it was a cougar and reported the sighting to authorities.

Authorities, in turn, alerted residents via robocall.

Johnson, who stated confirmations are rare, spent more than three hours canvassing the area, but did not turn up any evidence that include paw tracks.

“Cougars are rare in Southeast Wisconsin,” Johnson said. “It is not their natural area of habitat.”

The last confirmed cougar sighting was in 2008 near Janesville/Milton, and the animal was eventually located in the Chicago area, where authorities “shot the cougar,” Johnson said.

Johnson added the cougar likely hitched a ride along the railroad corridor en route to Chicago.

“If there is nothing to confirm, there is nothing to report,” Johnson stated.