Do cougars live in middle Michigan? There is evidence the big cats have moved into the area. Randy Conat reports.

A private wildlife agency says it has investigated several hundred cougar sightings in the state. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources says there are only a few of the big cats, and they're in the Upper Peninsula. Yesterday we showed you a picture of what appears to be a dark-colored cougar in a northwestern Lapeer County field, and we told you about a Lapeer County family that has seen several cougars in the past few years.

"They're the most beautiful critters you've ever seen," Bob Van Den Berg said.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy has looked into 1,500 cougar sightings over the past few years. Dennis Fijalkowski is the executive director of the organization.

"We probably have 100 adult cougars in the Michigan. It's probably equally divided between the Upper Peninsula and Lower Michigan."

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy has found cougar DNA in the U.P. and northern lower Michigan. This video was shot in western Monroe County. These tracks were photographed in northeastern Lapeer County, but the DNR isn't convinced.

"Calling the DNR will do you no good at all," Fijalkowski warned.

A DNR spokesperson says there may be a few cougars in the U.P., but there is no scientific evidence of a breeding population. Fijalkowski says if the DNR admits there are cougars in Michigan, it would be required to spend money on their preservation.

The DNR's lack of concern bothers him because he doesn't think the cougar population is healthy.

"Their survival is not good because they're inbred. This has been an inbred population for 100 years; a very small gene pool," Fijalkowski said.

If you do see a cougar, treat it with respect. Don't let it get too close, but do try to take a picture.

"Yes, take pictures, especially of the tracks," Fijalkowski advised.

Try to put a ruler or measuring tape in the picture so experts can get an idea of the size of the track.

You can find out where cougars have been sighted in Michgan at savethecougar.org.