Mountain lion sightings have been confirmed 15 times in the last several years, the Detroit Free Press reports. The article says that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources believes that the mountain lions are just passing through and that there is no resident population in the state.

However, the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, a non-profit organization, maintains that the sightings mean that there is a breeding population in the state. Google says that the organization’s site may be compromised, but a link to mountain lion info is front and center on its webpage. (“Cougars in Michigan: We proved they are here. Will you help protect them?”)

An article in the (Michigan) News Herald provides the details on the the group’s announcement. Read the News Herald article here.

Read the Detroit Free Press article here.

Photo: A generic mountain lion photo. Not a Michigan mountain lion.