Re(5): Summary of the facts in New England IP: 70.101.135.188 Posted on February 12, 2015 at 09:08:02 PM by Helen
Wrong, wrong, Weather! There are no breeding populations in Michigan or in eastern Canada. The closest breeding population, measured with a straight edge, is in SW Florida, where the Florida panther dwells. Somewhat further away are the Badlands of SW ND, the Black Hills of SD-WY, and the small newly established population in the Niobrara River Valley (near Valentine, Nebraska). The closest documented breeding population in Canada is in the Cypress Hills on the Alberta-Saskatchewan near the US border.
Both Chris & I were once believers, but we've learned that hundreds of alleged sightings mean nothing without evidence. Supposed evidence in the East is usually photos of bobcats or orange house cats, tracks of dogs and small bears, deliberate hoaxes, or indeterminate animals. There are a few documented instances of individuals that were definitely or probably former captives, and there is the Connecticut Cougar. That's it.