Michigan officials verify another UP cougar photo

MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — State wildlife officials say they’ve confirmed another photo of a cougar in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Department of Natural Resources said Friday a trail camera snapped the picture July 18 in northern Marquette County. The photo was taken at night and shows the animal from the rear, apparently walking away from the camera.

The DNR says this is the 17th time it has verified the presence of cougars in the U.P. in the past five years.

Wildlife biologist Adam Bump said it’s increasingly clear that an unknown number of the cats are prowling the peninsula. But he said there’s still no evidence of breeding activity, making it likely that the cougars are wandering into Michigan from farther west.

Killing them is illegal in Michigan unless human life is threatened.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.