Cougars Possibly Roaming in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is warning residents of cougars possibly roaming the northern area of the state.

ABC7 reports that "forest preserve [officials in DuPage County are] investigating a report [made on Friday] by a visitor about a possible cougar in the woods." They "spotted an animal that looked like a cougar in the East Branch Forest Preserve in Glendale Heights."

Cougars in the northern Illinois area are rare but as "Ecologist Brian Kraskie [told WGN] says if it was a cougar, it is highly likely it was a young adult searching for a mate or suitable habitat and was just passing through."

The report has yet to be confirmed if it were in fact a cougar that was spotted on Friday. "No other sightings have been reported." However,WGN learned that on "Sunday the Illinois DNR was called and they didn't find any cougar tracks."

If you come across a cougar it is advised to "let them be; they don't bother anybody" and "to leave the area slowly and call state officials at 847-608-3100 or forest preserve district police at 630-933-7240."