Cougar are moving east!

Eastern Cougar Network is formed to document 
their increasing presence in the Midwest and East 

Newtown, CT – The Eastern Cougar Network (ECN) has been formed to document cougar confirmations in the eastern half of North America. Nearly a year in the making, the exciting results of the group’s comprehensive research project can be found at www.easterncougarnet.org.  This website is intended to be a “living site,” which will be updated continuously as new developments unfold.

According Adrian Wydeven, Mammal Ecologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, “Coordination of cougar reporting in the eastern and mid-western U.S. is critical for documenting the presence, and possible colonization of this large predator back into its former range in the Midwest and East.  Many members of the public are excited by the return of this large predator, but wildlife agencies are often faced with limited resources for investigations, and reports are difficult to verify.  An objective, scientific-based approach for reporting, discussing, examining, and reviewing of information on “eastern” cougars will be extremely useful in establishing their presence.  The Eastern Cougar Network will be extremely helpful in determining the changing status of cougars in this portion of the U. S.”

ECN credits their success in obtaining data primarily to the enthusiastic support and cooperation of dozens of Federal, State, Provincial and independent wildlife professionals.  These professionals not only provided ECN with credible data, but in many cases “peer reviewed” the study’s results to insure accuracy.  ECN will be relying on this established network of interested professionals to track developments going forward.  

For more information, contact ECN at info@easterncougarnet.org or the founders:

Ken Miller: kmiller@easterncougarnet.org

Mark Dowling: mdowling@easterncougarnet.org

Jim Close: jclose@easterncougarnet.org

Bob Wilson: bwilson@easterncougarnet.org