Overview
- Duluth police confirmed the recent sighting, notified the Minnesota DNR, and said no further law-enforcement action is planned as residents were urged not to approach.
- Ordean East Middle School and Congdon Park Elementary entered secure status at about 1:36 p.m. Wednesday and lifted it shortly after 2 p.m. following consultation with the DNR.
- DNR trail cameras and public reports have traced the cat since early September from the Fergus Falls area through Park Rapids, Brainerd and Grand Rapids to the North Shore and Duluth.
- DNR researcher John Erb says the animal is likely a young male that dispersed from Nebraska, identifiable by ear tags and a nonworking research collar not belonging to the DNR.
- The DNR notes human encounters are extremely rare, Minnesota has no evidence of a breeding population, there have been 107 verified sightings since 2004, and the public should report sightings and avoid harming protected cougars.